How To Fix 5A166 - Preset time period not applied due to authorization problem

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: 5A - Basis Personnel Management

• Message number: 166

• Message text: Preset time period not applied due to authorization problem

Self-Explanatory Message

Since SAP believes that this specific error message is 'self-explanatory,' no more information has been given.The majority of messages in the SAP system have a message text, however this is frequently insufficient to comprehend or resolve the problem.

To make things easier, more detailed information is frequently added to describe the issue, how to fix it, and the necessary steps or configuration modifications.

Unfortunately, there isn't any extra information in this error notice.

What else can you do?

First, use our AnswerBot below to get a possible cause and solution (requires a premium subscription).

Also, review the in-depth Common Questions & Answers listed below; you could discover a solution there or be able to connect with others who have faced similar challenges.

You can also try searching the SAP support portal (support.sap.com) but you need a special user ID to access it. It is possible that an SAP support note exists that provides additional details about the mistake or even steps for fixing it.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message 5A166 - Preset time period not applied due to authorization problem ?

  The SAP error message 5A166 indicates that a preset time period could not be applied due to an authorization problem. This typically occurs when a user attempts to access or execute a transaction that requires specific authorizations that they do not possess.
  Cause:
  
  Insufficient Authorizations: The user does not have the necessary authorizations to access the specific time period or the related data.
  Role Configuration: The roles assigned to the user may not include the necessary permissions for the transaction or data access.
  Profile Issues: The user’s profile may not be correctly configured to allow access to the required functions.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check User Authorizations:
  
  Use transaction code SU53 immediately after encountering the error to check the authorization check that failed. This will provide insight into which specific authorization is missing.
  Review the authorization logs to identify the missing authorizations.
  
  
  
  Role Assignment:
  
  Ensure that the user has the appropriate roles assigned that include the necessary authorizations for the transaction or data access.
  If the user needs access to a specific time period, ensure that the role includes the relevant authorizations for that time frame.
  
  
  
  Modify Roles:
  
  If you have the necessary permissions, you can modify the roles using transaction code PFCG to add the required authorizations.
  If you do not have the necessary permissions, contact your SAP security administrator or the person responsible for user management in your organization.
  
  
  
  Testing:
  
  After making changes to roles or authorizations, have the user log out and log back in to ensure that the changes take effect.
  Test the transaction again to confirm that the issue has been resolved.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Authorization Objects: Familiarize yourself with the relevant authorization objects that may be involved in the transaction. Common objects include S_TCODE (Transaction Codes), S_USER_AUTH (User Authorizations), and others specific to the module you are working with.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or additional guidance related to this error message. You can search for the error message number in the SAP Support Portal.
  Documentation: Review SAP documentation related to user roles and authorizations to better understand how to manage and troubleshoot authorization issues.
  
  If the problem persists after following these steps, it may be necessary to escalate the issue to your SAP Basis or security team for further investigation.