How To Fix 5A201 - Table & is locked (automatic maintenance is not possible)

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: 5A - Basis Personnel Management

• Message number: 201

• Message text: Table & is locked (automatic maintenance is not possible)

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message 5A201 - Table & is locked (automatic maintenance is not possible) ?

  The SAP error message 5A201 indicates that a specific table is locked, and as a result, automatic maintenance operations cannot be performed on it. This typically occurs during database maintenance tasks, such as updates or reorganizations, when the system attempts to access a table that is currently locked by another process.
  Causes:
  
  Long-running Transactions: A transaction that is taking a long time to complete may hold a lock on the table.
  Deadlocks: Two or more transactions may be waiting for each other to release locks, causing a deadlock situation.
  Background Jobs: A background job may be running that is locking the table for maintenance or data processing.
  Manual Locks: A user or administrator may have manually locked the table for maintenance or other reasons.
  Database Issues: There may be underlying database issues that are causing locks to persist longer than expected.
  
  Solutions:
  
  
  Identify the Lock:
  
  Use transaction SM12 to check for locks on the table. You can see which user or process is holding the lock.
  Use transaction SM21 to check the system log for any related errors or warnings.
  
  
  
  Release the Lock:
  
  If you identify a long-running transaction that is holding the lock, you may need to wait for it to complete or, if appropriate, terminate it using transaction SM37 (for background jobs) or SM50 (for active processes).
  If a manual lock is identified, you can release it from SM12.
  
  
  
  Check for Deadlocks:
  
  If you suspect a deadlock, you may need to analyze the transactions involved and resolve the conflict by terminating one of the transactions.
  
  
  
  Schedule Maintenance:
  
  If the table is locked due to scheduled maintenance, consider rescheduling the maintenance window to a time when the system is less busy.
  
  
  
  Database Administration:
  
  Consult with your database administrator to check for any underlying database issues that may be causing locks to persist.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  Transaction Codes:
  
  SM12: Display and manage locks.
  SM21: System log.
  SM37: Monitor background jobs.
  SM50: Monitor active processes.
  
  
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to the specific table or error message.
  
  
  Documentation: Review SAP documentation for best practices on managing database locks and maintenance tasks.
  
  
  If the issue persists after trying the above solutions, it may be necessary to engage SAP support for further assistance.