How To Fix AUT028 - Table &1 locked by user &2. You cannot maintain refs to transactions

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: AUT - Messages for Enhancement for Audit Trails

• Message number: 028

• Message text: Table &1 locked by user &2. You cannot maintain refs to transactions

What causes this issue?

In Transaction AUT01, you currently cannot assign tables or change
document objects to transactions. Another user is editing the table at
the moment.

System Response

The table is locked by the system.

How to fix this error?

Try to carry out the transaction again later.

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 AUT028 - Table &1 locked by user &2. You cannot maintain refs to transactions ?

  The SAP error message AUT028 indicates that a specific table (denoted as &1) is currently locked by a user (denoted as &2), preventing you from maintaining references to transactions. This typically occurs in scenarios where multiple users or processes are trying to access or modify the same data simultaneously, leading to a lock situation.
  Cause:
  
  Table Locking: The table in question is locked by another user or process. This can happen during data entry, updates, or when a transaction is being processed.
  Long-running Transactions: If a transaction takes too long to complete, it may hold a lock on the table longer than expected.
  Uncommitted Transactions: If a user has made changes to the table but has not yet committed those changes, the table remains locked.
  Deadlocks: In some cases, a deadlock situation may occur where two or more processes are waiting for each other to release locks.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Identify the Lock:
  
  Use transaction code SM12 to view and manage locks. You can check which user is holding the lock on the specified table.
  Look for the user ID (&2) and the table name (&1) in the lock entries.
  
  
  
  Release the Lock:
  
  If the lock is held by a user who is no longer active or if the transaction is stuck, you may need to release the lock manually. This can be done in SM12 by selecting the lock entry and choosing to delete it.
  Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to release locks.
  
  
  
  Communicate with the User:
  
  If the lock is held by another user who is actively working, it may be best to communicate with them to understand the situation and coordinate the release of the lock.
  
  
  
  Review Transaction Design:
  
  If this issue occurs frequently, consider reviewing the design of the transactions that access the locked table. Optimizing the transaction logic to minimize lock duration can help reduce the occurrence of such locks.
  
  
  
  Check for Long-running Processes:
  
  Investigate if there are any long-running processes that may be causing the lock. You can use transaction SM66 to monitor active processes in the system.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Lock Management: Understanding how SAP handles locks is crucial. SAP uses different types of locks (e.g., exclusive locks, shared locks) to manage data integrity.
  Transaction Codes:
  
  SM12: To view and manage lock entries.
  SM66: To monitor active processes and their statuses.
  SM21: To check system logs for any related errors or warnings.
  
  
  Performance Tuning: Regularly review and optimize database performance and transaction efficiency to minimize locking issues.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the AUT028 error and maintain references to transactions effectively.