Troubleshooting Configuration Manager Client

Troubleshooting Configuration Manager Client

Overview

Troubleshooting client health, policy processing, and management point communication.

Table of Contents

Reading Logs

Support Center - Configuration Manager is another great tool for troubleshooting clients.
Here’s the quickstart guide for that Support Center quickstart - Configuration Manager

The installer is found in the same folder as the client installer.
\\aus-dp.austin.utexas.edu\sccmclient\SupportCenterInstaller.msi

 

The CMTrace log viewing tool is automatically installed along with the Configuration Manager client and makes it easier to read .log files. It's added to the client installation directory, which by default is %WinDir%\ccm\cmtrace.exe. Simply run the executable, there's no need to "install" it and if desired you can associate it with .log files.

Remotely reading logs

This is helpful when you are physically unable to access the client.

What Is Included

The collected bundle typically contains:

  • Client service and policy logs (e.g., PolicyAgent.log, CcmExec.log)

  • Software update logs (e.g., UpdatesDeployment.log, WUAHandler.log)

  • Content transfer logs (e.g., ContentTransferManager.log, DataTransferService.log)

  • Application deployment logs (e.g., AppDiscovery.log, AppEnforce.log)


What Is Not Included

  • Site server logs (MP, DP, SUP, etc.)

  • Windows Event Logs

  • Windows Update logs (outside ConfigMgr context)

Use this sparingly as it does take up more space on the site’s SQL database.

Right click on a device in the console, then navigate to Client Diagnostics and click on Collect Client Logs

If the client is online, it may take a few minutes for the logs to be gathered. The logs will not be gathered until the client is online and responds to the request.

Open Resource Explorer to access the collected logs.

Find Diagnostic Files and on the right side you should see what you just collected. Double click on it to open them.

You will then be able to view all the CM related logs.

CMTrace Tips:

  • Error Code lookup:
    Click on Tools | Error Lookup (or use CTRL-L). Type in an error code and then click Lookup to display more information about the error.

     

  • Merge Logs:
    You can view multiple logs in the same window. This is useful when troubleshooting with multiple logs that have overlapping time frames. Click on File | Open and select multiple logs, then check the box for "Merge selected files" before you click Open.

     

  • Highlighting:
    Click on Tools | Highlight. This will highlight lines that contain the specified text. By default, any line that contains "error" or "fail" will already be highlighted in red.

Client Installation

  • If the client was pushed out (installed) but you can't find the applet in the control panel or policies do not appear to be assigned, review the installation logs to search for errors that might help determine the issue.

    Installation logs location:

    C:\Windows\CCMSetup\Logs

General Operation

  • Review operational logs

    Operational logs location:

    C:\Windows\CCM\Logs

    For log description information see the Log file reference - Configuration Manager

  • Review Windows Event logs
    log=Application log, source=Configuration Manager Agent

Removal

Uninstall an existing Configuration Manager client:
 

  • Run this command from an elevated prompt:

    c:\Windows\CCMSetup\ccmsetup.exe /uninstall
  • Ensure the following registry keys no longer exist following the uninstall. Manually remove them if necessary:

    Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\CCM Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\CCMSetup Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\SMS
  • Ensure the following directories no longer exist following the uninstall. Manually remove them if necessary:

    C:\Windows\CCMSetup C:\Windows\CCMcache C:\Windows\CCM

Need More Help?

Submit a ServiceNow request to the Core EPM Team by sending email to epm-requests@its.utexas.edu
Be sure to include your department code and any relevant information such as what steps you have taken and/or what issues you are seeing.


Log File Reference

Client Core / Policy

Log File

Purpose

Log File

Purpose

CcmExec.log

Core client service activity

PolicyAgent.log

Policy retrieval and processing

PolicyEvaluator.log

Policy evaluation

LocationServices.log

Management Point and Distribution Point location

ClientIDManagerStartup.log

Client registration and GUID assignment


Content Distribution / Download

Log File

Purpose

Log File

Purpose

ContentTransferManager.log

Schedules and manages content downloads

DataTransferService.log

Handles BITS download activity

CAS.log

Content access and client cache management


Software Updates

Log File

Purpose

Log File

Purpose

UpdatesDeployment.log

Update deployment and enforcement

WUAHandler.log

Windows Update Agent interaction

ScanAgent.log

Update scan and detection activity


Application Deployment

Log File

Purpose

Log File

Purpose

AppDiscovery.log

Application detection logic

AppEnforce.log

Application install/uninstall enforcement

ExecMgr.log

Program/package execution


State and Compliance

Log File

Purpose

Log File

Purpose

UpdatesStore.log

Update state tracking

StateMessage.log

Client state message reporting

StatusAgent.log

Status message generation


Inventory / General Client Activity

Log File

Purpose

Log File

Purpose

InventoryAgent.log

Hardware and software inventory

CcmEval.log

Client health evaluation

Scheduler.log

Scheduled task execution


Log Collection / Diagnostics

Log File

Purpose

Log File

Purpose

Diagnostics.log

Confirms log collection and upload status


Related Information