How To Fix BA249 - Data stream in archive file &1 is shorter than expected

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: BA - Data Archiving

• Message number: 249

• Message text: Data stream in archive file &1 is shorter than expected

What causes this issue?

When reading file &V1&, the system expected at least &V3& bytes at
position &V2&. This fell below this limit.

System Response

Reading the file was terminated.

How to fix this error?

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

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message BA249 - Data stream in archive file &1 is shorter than expected ?

  The SAP error message BA249 indicates that there is an issue with the data stream in an archive file. Specifically, it means that the data stream in the archive file is shorter than what the system expected. This can occur during the process of reading or processing archived data.
  Causes:
  
  Corrupted Archive File: The archive file may be corrupted, which can happen due to incomplete writes, disk errors, or issues during the archiving process.
  Incorrect File Size: The file may have been truncated or not fully written, leading to a mismatch between the expected and actual size of the data stream.
  Version Mismatch: There may be a version mismatch between the archiving software used to create the archive and the version of SAP trying to read it.
  File Transfer Issues: If the archive file was transferred over a network, it may have been corrupted during the transfer process.
  
  Solutions:
  
  Check Archive File Integrity: Verify the integrity of the archive file. If possible, compare the file size and checksum with the original file to ensure it has not been corrupted.
  Recreate the Archive: If the archive file is indeed corrupted, you may need to recreate the archive from the source data if it is still available.
  Check for Updates: Ensure that your SAP system is up to date with the latest patches and updates, as this may resolve compatibility issues.
  Review Archiving Process: Review the archiving process to ensure that it is being executed correctly and that there are no issues with the configuration.
  Consult SAP Notes: Check the SAP Support Portal for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error message or provide additional troubleshooting steps.
  Contact SAP Support: If the issue persists and you cannot resolve it, consider reaching out to SAP Support for assistance.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Archiving Process: Understanding how the archiving process works in SAP can help in troubleshooting issues related to archived data.
  SAP Notes: Regularly check for SAP Notes related to archiving and data management, as they can provide insights into known issues and fixes.
  Backup and Recovery: Always ensure that you have a backup of your data before performing archiving operations, as this can help in recovering from issues like corruption.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the BA249 error and take appropriate action to resolve it.