How To Fix 3F437 - Data is locked by user & (function not possible)

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: 3F - Compensation Management

• Message number: 437

• Message text: Data is locked by user & (function not possible)

What causes this issue?

You tried to create or delete table entries that are currently being
edited by user &V1&.

System Response

Only one user can access data in the change mode and therefore, your
request was rejected.

How to fix this error?

Carry out your changes at a later period in time.

Procedure for System Administrators

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

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message 3F437 - Data is locked by user & (function not possible) ?

  The SAP error message 3F437 indicates that a particular piece of data is locked by a user, which prevents other users from accessing or modifying that data. This is a common issue in SAP systems, especially in environments where multiple users are working on the same data or transactions simultaneously.
  Cause:
  The error typically occurs due to the following reasons:
  
  User Locking: A user has opened a transaction or data record and has not yet completed or saved it, causing a lock on that data.
  Session Timeout: A user may have left a session open for an extended period, leading to a lock on the data.
  Unfinished Transactions: If a transaction is interrupted (e.g., due to a system crash or network issue), it may leave data in a locked state.
  Lock Table Entries: SAP maintains a lock table to manage data locks. If there are too many entries or if the lock is not released properly, it can lead to this error.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Identify the Lock:
  
  Use transaction code SM12 to view the lock entries. You can filter by user ID or object type to find the specific lock.
  Check if the user who has locked the data is still active or if they have logged out.
  
  
  
  Release the Lock:
  
  If the user is no longer active, you can manually delete the lock entry from the lock table in transaction SM12. Be cautious when doing this, as it may lead to data inconsistencies if the user was in the middle of a transaction.
  
  
  
  Communicate with the User:
  
  If the user is still active, communicate with them to complete or cancel their transaction, which will release the lock.
  
  
  
  Check for System Issues:
  
  If this issue occurs frequently, it may be worth investigating if there are underlying system issues, such as performance problems or configuration settings that need adjustment.
  
  
  
  Review User Training:
  
  Ensure that users are trained on proper transaction handling to minimize the chances of leaving data locked unintentionally.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  Transaction Codes:
  
  SM12: Display and manage lock entries.
  SM21: Check system logs for any related errors or warnings.
  SM37: Monitor background jobs that may be related to the locked data.
  
  
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to locking mechanisms in your specific version of SAP.
  
  
  Documentation: Review SAP documentation for best practices on managing data locks and user sessions.
  
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the error and prevent it from occurring in the future.