How To Fix 5G318 - Personnel number & is locked by another user

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: 5G - HR: Messages for Britain

• Message number: 318

• Message text: Personnel number & is locked by another user

What causes this issue?

If two users change a person's data at the same time, the system cannot
decide which changes have priority. For this reason, only one user is
ever permitted to make changes at any one time.
Another user is currently editing this person.

System Response

The system does not allow you to edit this person.

How to fix this error?

You must wait until the current user has stopped editing the person,
before you can make your changes.

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 5G318 - Personnel number & is locked by another user ?

  The SAP error message "5G318 Personnel number & is locked by another user" indicates that the personnel number you are trying to access or modify is currently locked by another user. This typically occurs in HR-related transactions where multiple users may be trying to access or edit the same employee record simultaneously.
  Cause:
  
  Concurrent Access: Another user is currently editing the personnel record.
  Session Timeout: A previous session may not have been properly closed, leaving the record locked.
  System Error: Occasionally, a system error or crash may leave a record in a locked state.
  
  Solution:
  
  Wait and Retry: The simplest solution is to wait for a few moments and then try accessing the personnel number again. The lock may be temporary.
  Identify the Locking User: If you have the necessary permissions, you can check which user has locked the record. This can be done using transaction code SM12 (Display and Delete Locks). You can search for the personnel number and see the user who has it locked.
  Contact the Locking User: If you identify the user who has the lock, you can reach out to them to see if they can release the lock.
  Release the Lock: If the locking user is unavailable and you have the necessary authorizations, you can manually delete the lock in transaction SM12. Be cautious with this approach, as it may lead to data inconsistencies if the other user is still working on the record.
  Check for Background Jobs: Sometimes, background jobs may also lock records. You can check transaction SM37 to see if any jobs are running that might be causing the lock.
  System Administrator: If the issue persists, contact your SAP system administrator for further assistance. They may need to investigate the issue at a deeper level.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes:
  
  SM12: To view and delete locks.
  SM37: To check background jobs.
  
  
  User Roles: Ensure that you have the appropriate permissions to view and manage locks.
  Documentation: Refer to SAP Help documentation for more details on handling locks and user sessions.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the issue related to the locked personnel number.