How To Fix BT604 - Failed to receive external program protocol

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: BT - Background processing messages

• Message number: 604

• Message text: Failed to receive external program protocol

What causes this issue?

When the external program sent a status message to the SAP system, it
reported that log messages are pending for transport. When the system
attempted to receive these messages, it determined that the
communications link had already been terminated before the log could
be sent.

System Response

Because the connection has already been terminated, there is no way to
receive the log. As a result, the system cancelled the receive
sequence by triggering an exception.

How to fix this error?

The status message was received. This status can be evaluated in
subsequent processing. Whether the fact that the log is missing has
serious consequences or not depends on the application.
In any case, you can search the system log for the cause of this
problem. In particular, look for any messages regarding CPI-C
problems.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message BT604 - Failed to receive external program protocol ?

  The SAP error message BT604, which states "Failed to receive external program protocol," typically occurs in the context of SAP Business Workflow or when integrating with external systems. This error indicates that the SAP system was unable to receive a response or protocol from an external program or service that it was trying to communicate with.
  Causes:
  
  Network Issues: There may be network connectivity problems between the SAP system and the external program.
  Configuration Errors: Incorrect configuration settings in the SAP system or the external program can lead to communication failures.
  Timeouts: The external program may be taking too long to respond, leading to a timeout in the SAP system.
  External Program Issues: The external program may be down, misconfigured, or experiencing its own issues.
  Firewall or Security Settings: Firewalls or security settings may be blocking the communication between the SAP system and the external program.
  
  Solutions:
  
  Check Network Connectivity: Ensure that the SAP system can reach the external program. You can use tools like ping or traceroute to diagnose network issues.
  Review Configuration Settings: Verify the configuration settings in both the SAP system and the external program. Ensure that the communication parameters (like ports, IP addresses, etc.) are correctly set.
  Increase Timeout Settings: If the external program is slow to respond, consider increasing the timeout settings in the SAP system to allow more time for the response.
  Check External Program Status: Ensure that the external program is running and functioning correctly. Check logs for any errors or issues.
  Firewall and Security Settings: Review firewall rules and security settings to ensure that they are not blocking the communication. You may need to work with your network/security team to resolve any issues.
  SAP Notes and Support: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error. If the problem persists, consider reaching out to SAP support for further assistance.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Documentation: Refer to the official SAP documentation for more details on configuring external program communication.
  Transaction Codes: Use transaction codes like SM21 (System Log) and ST22 (Dump Analysis) to check for any related errors or dumps that might provide more context.
  Monitoring Tools: Utilize monitoring tools within SAP (like SM37 for job monitoring) to check if there are any related background jobs that might be failing.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to diagnose and resolve the BT604 error in your SAP environment.