How To Fix ICM016 - Service &1 on port &2 could not be started

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: ICM - Messages for ICM Monitor

• Message number: 016

• Message text: Service &1 on port &2 could not be started

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 ICM016 - Service &1 on port &2 could not be started ?

  The SAP error message "ICM016 Service &1 on port &2 could not be started" typically indicates that the Internet Communication Manager (ICM) is unable to start a service on the specified port. This can happen for several reasons, and here are some common causes, solutions, and related information:
  Causes:
  
  Port Already in Use: The specified port is already being used by another application or service.
  Insufficient Permissions: The user running the SAP instance may not have the necessary permissions to bind to the specified port.
  Firewall or Security Software: A firewall or security software may be blocking access to the specified port.
  Configuration Issues: There may be a misconfiguration in the ICM settings or the instance profile.
  Network Issues: Network configuration issues may prevent the service from starting.
  
  Solutions:
  
  
  Check Port Availability:
  
  Use tools like netstat (on Windows) or lsof (on Unix/Linux) to check if the port is already in use.
  If the port is occupied, either stop the conflicting service or change the port configuration in the SAP instance profile.
  
  
  
  Review ICM Configuration:
  
  Check the ICM configuration in the instance profile (usually found in the instance profile file).
  Ensure that the service and port settings are correctly defined.
  
  
  
  Check User Permissions:
  
  Ensure that the user running the SAP instance has the necessary permissions to bind to the specified port.
  On Unix/Linux systems, ports below 1024 typically require root privileges.
  
  
  
  Firewall and Security Settings:
  
  Check firewall settings to ensure that the specified port is open and accessible.
  If using security software, ensure that it is not blocking the SAP services.
  
  
  
  Restart the SAP Instance:
  
  Sometimes, simply restarting the SAP instance can resolve transient issues.
  
  
  
  Check SAP Notes:
  
  Look for relevant SAP Notes in the SAP Support Portal that may address this specific error or provide additional troubleshooting steps.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  ICM Configuration Parameters: Review parameters such as icm/server_port_0 in the instance profile to ensure they are set correctly.
  SAP Kernel Version: Ensure that you are using a supported version of the SAP kernel, as bugs in older versions may cause issues.
  Logs: Check the ICM logs (usually found in the dev_icm file) for more detailed error messages that can provide additional context for the failure.
  
  If the issue persists after trying the above solutions, consider reaching out to SAP support for further assistance.