How To Fix IS159 - Material cannot be changed as a serial no. has been allocated

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: IS - Equipment management

• Message number: 159

• Message text: Material cannot be changed as a serial no. has been allocated

What causes this issue?

You are trying to change the material in the equipment master
record, although a serial number has been allocated to the piece of
<GL:equipment>equipment</>.

System Response

INCLUDE 'KEINE-FUNKTION' OBJECT DOKU ID TX LANGUAGE E

How to fix this error?

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 IS159 - Material cannot be changed as a serial no. has been allocated ?

  The SAP error message IS159 ("Material cannot be changed as a serial no. has been allocated") typically occurs when you attempt to make changes to a material that has already been assigned a serial number. This is a common scenario in inventory management and logistics where serial numbers are used to track individual items.
  Cause:
  
  Serial Number Assignment: The material in question has already been assigned a serial number, which means it is being tracked individually in the system.
  Material Master Data: Changes to certain fields in the material master data are restricted once a serial number is assigned to ensure data integrity and traceability.
  Transaction Type: The transaction you are trying to perform (e.g., changing material details, moving stock, etc.) is not allowed for materials with allocated serial numbers.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Serial Number Assignment: Verify if the material indeed has a serial number assigned. You can do this by checking the serial number management in the system.
  Review Changes: Determine if the changes you are trying to make are necessary. If they are not critical, consider leaving the material as is.
  Use Alternative Transactions: If you need to perform a transaction that requires changes, consider using alternative methods that do not involve changing the material master data directly.
  Unassign Serial Number: If it is absolutely necessary to change the material, you may need to unassign the serial number first. This can typically be done through specific transactions (like using the transaction code IQ02 for changing serial numbers) but be cautious as this may affect inventory tracking.
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or your organization's guidelines for handling materials with serial numbers, as there may be specific procedures in place.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as:
  
  IQ01: Create Serial Number
  IQ02: Change Serial Number
  IQ03: Display Serial Number
  
  
  Material Master Views: Understand the different views in the material master that may be affected by serial number assignment, such as Basic Data, Purchasing, and Sales views.
  User Roles and Authorizations: Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to make changes to materials and serial numbers in the system.
  SAP Notes: Check for any SAP Notes related to this error message for additional insights or patches that may address specific issues.
  
  If the problem persists or if you are unsure about the steps to take, it may be beneficial to consult with your SAP support team or a functional consultant who specializes in inventory management.