How To Fix EARC020 - The archive file is already open

EARC020 - Overview

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: EARC - IS-U: Archiving

• Message number: 020

• Message text: The archive file is already open

What causes this issue?

The archive file selected for display is already open and cannot be
reopened to display the archive.
This problem may occur if either the deletion or the reload program has
already been started for the archive file and has not finished
processing yet.

System Response

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

How to fix this error?

Check if a deletion or reload program is running at present for this
archive file. If so, wait until it has finished running. Then start the
display program again.
If this is not the case, then make a note of the following:
the message text and the message number,
the name of the archiving object and
the number of the archiving run that caused the error.
Send a problem message to SAP with the above details.

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

EARC020 - Details

• The SAP error message EARC020, which states "The archive file is already open," typically occurs when there is an attempt to access an archive file that is currently being used or locked by another process. This can happen in various scenarios, such as when multiple users or processes try to access the same archive file simultaneously.
  
  Cause:
  
  Concurrent Access: Another user or process is currently accessing the archive file.
  Incomplete Process: A previous process that accessed the archive file did not close it properly.
  File Locking: The operating system may have locked the file due to a previous operation that did not release the lock.
  
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Active Processes: Identify if another user or process is currently using the archive file. You may need to coordinate with other users or check system logs to find out who is accessing the file.
  Wait and Retry: If the file is being accessed by another process, wait for that process