How To Fix GW231 - No free SAP gateway processes; log on again later

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: GW - Message Texts for Gateway

• Message number: 231

• Message text: No free SAP gateway processes; log on again later

Self-Explanatory Message

Since SAP believes that this specific error message is 'self-explanatory,' no more information has been given.The majority of messages in the SAP system have a message text, however this is frequently insufficient to comprehend or resolve the problem.

To make things easier, more detailed information is frequently added to describe the issue, how to fix it, and the necessary steps or configuration modifications.

Unfortunately, there isn't any extra information in this error notice.

What else can you do?

First, use our AnswerBot below to get a possible cause and solution (requires a premium subscription).

Also, review the in-depth Common Questions & Answers listed below; you could discover a solution there or be able to connect with others who have faced similar challenges.

You can also try searching the SAP support portal (support.sap.com) but you need a special user ID to access it. It is possible that an SAP support note exists that provides additional details about the mistake or even steps for fixing it.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message GW231 - No free SAP gateway processes; log on again later ?

  The SAP error message GW231: No free SAP gateway processes; log on again later indicates that the SAP Gateway is currently unable to handle additional requests because all available gateway processes are busy or have reached their limit. This can happen in environments with high user activity or insufficient resources allocated to the SAP Gateway.
  Causes:
  
  High User Load: A large number of users trying to log in simultaneously can exhaust the available gateway processes.
  Configuration Limits: The number of gateway processes may be set too low in the SAP system configuration.
  Long-Running Processes: Some processes may be taking longer than expected, holding onto gateway resources.
  Resource Constraints: Insufficient system resources (CPU, memory) can lead to performance issues, causing processes to become unresponsive.
  Network Issues: Problems with network connectivity can also lead to delays in processing requests.
  
  Solutions:
  
  
  Increase Gateway Processes:
  
  You can increase the number of gateway processes in the SAP system profile. This is done by modifying the gw/act_vb parameter in the instance profile.
  Example: If the current value is set to 5, you might increase it to 10 or more, depending on your system's capacity.
  
  
  
  Monitor and Optimize Performance:
  
  Use transaction SM66 to monitor active processes and identify any long-running or stuck processes.
  Use transaction SM50 to check the status of the work processes and see if any are in a "waiting" state.
  
  
  
  Check System Resources:
  
  Ensure that the server hosting the SAP system has adequate CPU and memory resources. If necessary, consider upgrading the hardware or optimizing the system configuration.
  
  
  
  Review User Activity:
  
  Analyze user activity to identify peak usage times and consider load balancing or scheduling tasks to reduce simultaneous logins.
  
  
  
  Restart Gateway:
  
  If the issue persists, consider restarting the SAP Gateway service. This can free up any stuck processes.
  
  
  
  Consult SAP Notes:
  
  Check the SAP Support Portal for any relevant SAP Notes that may address specific issues related to the gateway processes.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  Transaction Codes:
  
  SMGW: Monitor the SAP Gateway.
  SM51: Display instances and their status.
  SM12: Check for locked entries that may be causing delays.
  
  
  
  SAP Documentation: Refer to the official SAP documentation for detailed configuration settings and best practices for managing gateway processes.
  
  
  Performance Tuning: Regularly review and tune the performance of your SAP system to ensure optimal operation, especially during peak usage times.
  
  
  By addressing the underlying causes and implementing the suggested solutions, you should be able to resolve the GW231 error and improve the availability of SAP gateway processes.