How To Fix EC403 - Menu bar contains recursive definitions. Unable to copy it

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: EC - Development environment: Menu Painter

• Message number: 403

• Message text: Menu bar contains recursive definitions. Unable to copy it

What causes this issue?

The menu bar contains at least one recursive menu.

System Response

You cannot copy the menu bar.

How to fix this error?

Choose 'Cancel'. To display all menus containing recursive
definitions, choose 'Check syntax'. You can correct them from the list.
You must correct recursive menus, since the system cannot otherwise
generate the interface.

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 EC403 - Menu bar contains recursive definitions. Unable to copy it ?

  The SAP error message EC403, which states "Menu bar contains recursive definitions. Unable to copy it," typically occurs when there is a problem with the menu structure in the SAP GUI. This error indicates that there are recursive definitions in the menu bar, which means that the menu is trying to reference itself in a way that creates an infinite loop.
  Causes:
  
  Recursive Menu Definitions: The most common cause is that the menu definitions in the SAP system have been set up incorrectly, leading to a situation where a menu item points back to itself or creates a loop.
  Custom Development: If there have been custom developments or modifications to the menu structure, these changes may inadvertently create recursive references.
  Transport Issues: If menu changes were transported from one system to another (e.g., from development to production), there may have been issues during the transport that caused the menu definitions to become corrupted.
  
  Solutions:
  
  Check Menu Definitions: Review the menu definitions in the SAP system to identify any recursive references. This can be done using transaction codes like SE43N (for menu maintenance) or SE80 (Object Navigator).
  Correct Recursive References: If you find any recursive definitions, correct them by modifying the menu structure to remove the loops. Ensure that each menu item points to a valid and non-recursive target.
  Transport Review: If the issue arose after a transport, review the transport logs and the objects that were transported. You may need to revert or adjust the transport to fix the menu structure.
  SAP Notes: Check the SAP Support Portal for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error. There may be patches or updates that resolve known issues related to menu definitions.
  System Restart: In some cases, a simple restart of the SAP GUI or the application server may resolve temporary issues related to the menu structure.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Documentation: Refer to the official SAP documentation for guidelines on menu maintenance and best practices to avoid recursive definitions.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums to see if other users have encountered similar issues and what solutions they found effective.
  Support Tickets: If the issue persists and cannot be resolved internally, consider opening a support ticket with SAP for further assistance.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the EC403 error in your SAP system.