How To Fix HUGENERAL021 - Serial number cannot be deleted - Deletion not possible / parts deleted

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: HUGENERAL - Handling Units - Packing

• Message number: 021

• Message text: Serial number cannot be deleted - Deletion not possible / parts deleted

What causes this issue?

You wanted to delete a handling unit that contains serialized items.
The status of some of the serial numbers does not allow them to be
deleted.

System Response

The handling unit was not deleted. If the handling unit contains
several items, some of the items may have been deleted, depending on
the circumstances.

How to fix this error?

Check whether the handling unit still exists in its entirety or whether
some of the items were deleted.

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 HUGENERAL021 - Serial number cannot be deleted - Deletion not possible / parts deleted ?

  The SAP error message HUGENERAL021 indicates that a serial number cannot be deleted because the deletion is not possible, often due to the fact that the parts associated with that serial number have already been deleted or are in a state that prevents deletion.
  Causes:
  
  Parts Already Deleted: The serial number you are trying to delete is linked to parts that have already been deleted from the system.
  Status of Serial Number: The serial number may be in a status that does not allow for deletion (e.g., it may be in use in a transaction).
  Dependencies: There may be dependencies or references to the serial number in other documents or transactions that prevent its deletion.
  Configuration Settings: System settings or configurations may restrict the deletion of serial numbers under certain conditions.
  
  Solutions:
  
  Check Serial Number Status: Verify the status of the serial number in the system. If it is in use or linked to other transactions, you may need to resolve those dependencies first.
  Review Related Documents: Look for any related documents (like delivery, sales orders, or inventory records) that may reference the serial number. You may need to delete or modify these documents before you can delete the serial number.
  Use Transaction Codes: Utilize transaction codes such as IQ02 (Change Serial Number) or IQ03 (Display Serial Number) to check the details of the serial number and its status.
  Consult with SAP Support: If you are unable to resolve the issue, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting SAP documentation for further assistance.
  System Configuration: If the issue is related to system configuration, you may need to work with your SAP Basis or configuration team to adjust settings that may be preventing deletion.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error message or provide additional troubleshooting steps.
  Documentation: Review SAP documentation related to serial number management and deletion processes to ensure compliance with best practices.
  User Permissions: Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to delete serial numbers in the system, as restrictions may be in place based on user roles.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the error and take appropriate action to resolve it.