How To Fix HOSHABA821 - Table &1 (key: &2) has already been locked by user &3

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: HOSHABA - Messages for transaction HOSH in the ABA system

• Message number: 821

• Message text: Table &1 (key: &2) has already been locked by user &3

What causes this issue?

Table &V1& cannot be locked for lock argument &V2& since this conflicts
with an existing lock for user &V3&.

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?

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 HOSHABA821 - Table &1 (key: &2) has already been locked by user &3 ?

  The SAP error message HOSHABA821 indicates that a specific table (denoted by &1) with a particular key (denoted by &2) is currently locked by another user (denoted by &3). This typically occurs when multiple users or processes attempt to access or modify the same data simultaneously, leading to a lock situation to maintain data integrity.
  Cause:
  
  Concurrent Access: Another user or process is currently accessing or modifying the same record in the specified table.
  Long-running Transactions: A transaction that takes a long time to complete may hold a lock on the table longer than expected.
  Uncommitted Changes: If a user has made changes to the data but has not yet committed those changes, the lock will persist.
  Deadlocks: In some cases, a deadlock situation may arise where two or more processes are waiting for each other to release locks.
  
  Solution:
  
  Wait and Retry: If the lock is temporary, waiting for the other user to complete their transaction may resolve the issue. You can retry the operation after some time.
  Identify the Locking User: Use transaction codes like SM12 (for lock entries) to identify the user who is holding the lock. You can check the lock entries and see if the lock can be released.
  Release the Lock: If you have the necessary authorizations, you can manually delete the lock entry in SM12. However, this should be done with caution, as it may lead to data inconsistency if the other user is still working on the data.
  Optimize Transactions: If the issue is frequent, consider optimizing the transactions to reduce the time locks are held. This may involve breaking down large transactions into smaller ones or improving performance.
  Check for Deadlocks: If you suspect a deadlock, analyze the processes involved and resolve the deadlock situation by terminating one of the processes.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Lock Management: Understanding how SAP handles locks is crucial. SAP uses a locking mechanism to prevent data inconsistencies during concurrent access.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with transaction codes like SM12 (to view and manage lock entries), SM21 (to check system logs), and ST22 (to analyze dumps) for troubleshooting.
  User Communication: If possible, communicate with the user holding the lock to understand their actions and coordinate access to the data.
  
  Always ensure that any actions taken to resolve locking issues are in line with your organization's policies and procedures to maintain data integrity and system stability.