How To Fix FRE421 - Material &1 plant &2 is locked in table &3. No processing possible.

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: FRE - F&R CON R/3 - Messages

• Message number: 421

• Message text: Material &1 plant &2 is locked in table &3. No processing possible.

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message FRE421 - Material &1 plant &2 is locked in table &3. No processing possible. ?

  The SAP error message FRE421 indicates that a specific material in a particular plant is locked in a certain table, which prevents any processing related to that material. This error typically arises in the context of inventory management, material master data, or related transactions.
  Cause:
  The error can occur due to several reasons:
  
  Concurrent Access: Another user or process is currently accessing or modifying the material data, leading to a lock.
  Transaction in Progress: A transaction that involves the material is still in progress, and the system has locked the material to prevent inconsistencies.
  System Error: There may be a system error or inconsistency that has caused the lock to persist.
  Background Jobs: A background job might be running that is locking the material for updates.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the FRE421 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Lock Entries:
  
  Use transaction code SM12 to check for lock entries related to the material and plant in question. You can filter by the material number and plant to find the specific lock.
  If you find a lock that is no longer needed (e.g., a user session that has ended), you can delete the lock entry if you have the necessary authorizations.
  
  
  
  Identify the User/Process:
  
  In SM12, you can see which user or process is holding the lock. If it is another user, you may need to communicate with them to resolve the issue.
  
  
  
  Wait for the Process to Complete:
  
  If the lock is due to a legitimate process (like a background job), you may need to wait for that process to complete before attempting to access the material again.
  
  
  
  Check for Background Jobs:
  
  Use transaction code SM37 to check for any background jobs that might be running and locking the material. If you find a job that is causing the lock, you can either wait for it to finish or, if necessary, terminate it.
  
  
  
  System Restart:
  
  In rare cases, if the lock persists and cannot be resolved through the above methods, a system restart may be required. This should be done with caution and typically involves coordination with your SAP Basis team.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  Transaction Codes:
  
  SM12: Display and manage lock entries.
  SM37: Monitor background jobs.
  SE11: View table definitions (to understand which table is locked).
  
  
  
  Documentation: Refer to SAP Help documentation for more details on material management and locking mechanisms.
  
  
  User Authorizations: Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to view and manage lock entries.
  
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the FRE421 error and take appropriate action to resolve it.