How To Fix DB6113 - Too many overflows occur in the sort heap

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: DB6 - DB6: Alert Monitoring and Alert Configuration

• Message number: 113

• Message text: Too many overflows occur in the sort heap

What causes this issue?

The sort heap is an area of main memory reserver for sorts. This area
can overflow when you are working with large data sets. If this
happens,parts of the data must be paged out. You can set the size of
the sort area using the database configuration parameter SORTHEAP.

System Response

Impairment of performance

How to fix this error?

You can tolerate occasional overflows. If this alert is triggered too
often, increase the size of the sort heap using the command:
<LB>UPDATE DATABASE CONFIGURATION FOR <SID> USING SORTHEAP <(>
<<)>Value></>

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 DB6113 - Too many overflows occur in the sort heap ?

  The SAP error message DB6113 indicates that there are too many overflows occurring in the sort heap during database operations. This typically happens when the system is trying to sort a large amount of data, and the allocated memory for sorting (the sort heap) is insufficient to handle the data being processed.
  Causes:
  
  Insufficient Sort Heap Size: The sort heap size configured in the database is too small for the volume of data being sorted.
  Large Data Sets: Operations involving large datasets, such as sorting large tables or executing complex queries, can lead to this error.
  Database Configuration: The database parameters related to memory allocation may not be optimized for the workload.
  High Concurrency: Multiple concurrent operations that require sorting can exhaust the available sort heap.
  
  Solutions:
  
  
  Increase Sort Heap Size:
  
  Adjust the sort heap size in the database configuration. This can usually be done by modifying the relevant parameters in the database settings (e.g., sort heap in the database configuration).
  For example, in an SAP system using Oracle, you might increase the sort_area_size parameter.
  
  
  
  Optimize Queries:
  
  Review and optimize the SQL queries that are causing the overflow. This may involve adding indexes, rewriting queries, or breaking them into smaller parts.
  
  
  
  Database Tuning:
  
  Perform general database tuning to ensure that memory is allocated efficiently. This includes checking other memory-related parameters and adjusting them as necessary.
  
  
  
  Monitor System Load:
  
  Monitor the system load and performance to identify if there are specific times when the error occurs. This can help in understanding if the issue is related to peak usage times.
  
  
  
  Check for Locks and Contention:
  
  Investigate if there are locks or contention issues that might be causing delays in processing, leading to increased memory usage.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Refer to the specific database documentation for guidance on memory management and configuration settings.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes related to this error message for any specific recommendations or patches that may address the issue.
  Database Documentation: Review the documentation for the specific database you are using (e.g., Oracle, SQL Server, HANA) for best practices on memory management and configuration.
  Performance Monitoring Tools: Utilize performance monitoring tools to analyze memory usage and identify bottlenecks in the system.
  
  By addressing the sort heap size and optimizing the queries and database configuration, you can mitigate the occurrence of the DB6113 error.