How To Fix FPRL021 - You cannot unassign item &; item is pending approval

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: FPRL - Payment Release List Messages

• Message number: 021

• Message text: You cannot unassign item &; item is pending approval

What causes this issue?

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

System Response

How to fix this error?

If you want to refuse the item for payment, select the item and choose
the icon with the quick info text <LS>Refuse Items</> (see
<DS:TX.FPRL_REFUSE_EXECUTE>Refuse Items for Payment</>).
The item moves to the list of unassigned items and its status changes to
<LS>Refused</>. The <DS:DE.FPRL_LEVEL>approval level</> is reset to the
initial value.

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 FPRL021 - You cannot unassign item &; item is pending approval ?

  The SAP error message FPRL021 indicates that you are trying to unassign an item that is currently pending approval. This typically occurs in the context of SAP's Financials or Procurement modules, where certain items or transactions require approval before they can be modified or unassigned.
  Cause:
  The primary cause of this error is that the item you are attempting to unassign is in a state where it is awaiting approval from an authorized user. Until the approval process is completed, the system restricts any changes to the item, including unassignment.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Approval Status: Verify the approval status of the item. You may need to check the workflow or approval logs to see who is responsible for approving the item.
  
  
  Contact Approver: If you have access to the approver's information, reach out to them to expedite the approval process. They may need to approve or reject the item before you can proceed with unassigning it.
  
  
  Wait for Approval: If the item is pending approval, you may need to wait until the approval is completed. Once the item is approved, you should be able to unassign it without encountering this error.
  
  
  Review Workflow Settings: If you have administrative access, review the workflow settings to ensure that the approval process is functioning correctly. There may be issues with the workflow that need to be addressed.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: Refer to your organization's SAP documentation or user manuals for specific procedures related to handling approval workflows.
  
  
  Seek Help from IT Support: If you are unable to resolve the issue on your own, consider reaching out to your IT support team or SAP administrator for assistance. They may have additional tools or insights to help you resolve the issue.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message. SAP frequently updates its system, and there may be specific notes addressing this error.
  User Roles and Permissions: Ensure that your user role has the necessary permissions to unassign items. Sometimes, restrictions are in place based on user roles.
  Training and Documentation: Familiarize yourself with the approval processes and workflows in your organization to better understand how to navigate these situations in the future.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to address the FPRL021 error and proceed with your tasks in SAP.