How To Fix 00181 - The new and old passwords must have at least & different characters

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: 00 -

• Message number: 181

• Message text: The new and old passwords must have at least & different characters

<ZH>&CAUSE&</>
You entered a new password, but it does not differ from your old
password by a sufficient number of characters.

System Response

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

How to fix this error?

Choose a password that differs from your old password by at least &V1&
characters. The password you entered differs by only &V2& characters.
<ZU>The number of different characters is calculated as follows:</>
The two strings are made to overlap as much as possible (by searching
for the longest common string and rotating as necessary). The number of
different characters (after comparing character-by-character) returns
the number the system needs.
For example:,,Old password:,,"BDAFAG",,(6 characters)
,,,,New password:,,"ABC DBA",,(7 characters)
,,,,After rotation:,,"DBAABC ",,(7 characters)
,,,,==> Number of different characters = 4

Procedure for System Administrators

The system administrator can specify this value using the profile
parameter <ZH>login/min_password_digits</>.
For more documentation, refer to <ZK>Maintain Profile Parameters</>
(transaction <DS:TRAN.RZ11>RZ11</>)

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message 00181 - The new and old passwords must have at least & different characters ?

  The SAP error message "00181 The new and old passwords must have at least & different characters" typically occurs when a user attempts to change their password, but the new password does not meet the security requirements set by the system. Specifically, this error indicates that the new password must differ from the old password by a certain number of characters.
  Cause:
  
  Password Similarity: The new password is too similar to the old password, violating the system's password policy.
  Password Policy Settings: The SAP system has specific settings that require a minimum number of different characters between the old and new passwords. This is a security measure to prevent users from choosing easily guessable passwords.
  
  Solution:
  
  Choose a Stronger Password: When changing your password, ensure that the new password is significantly different from the old one. This means using different characters, numbers, and symbols.
  Check Password Policy: Review the password policy in your SAP system to understand the specific requirements. This can usually be found in the system settings or by consulting with your SAP administrator.
  Use a Password Manager: If you have difficulty coming up with a new password, consider using a password manager to generate a strong password that meets the requirements.
  Contact SAP Administrator: If you continue to experience issues, reach out to your SAP system administrator for assistance. They can provide guidance on the password policy and help you reset your password if necessary.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Password Policy Configuration: The password policy can be configured in SAP using transaction codes like RZ10 or SU01 (for user management). Administrators can set parameters such as the minimum number of different characters required.
  SAP Security Best Practices: It's important to follow best practices for password security, including using a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters, and avoiding easily guessable information.
  User Documentation: SAP provides documentation and guidelines for users on how to manage their passwords effectively. This can often be found in the help section of the SAP GUI or on the SAP support website.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the error and successfully change your password.