How To Fix IS166 - Serial number & already exists for material &

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: IS - Equipment management

• Message number: 166

• Message text: Serial number & already exists for material &

What causes this issue?

You are trying to create <GL:serial_number>serial number</> &V1& for
<GL:material>material</> &V2&. The serial number already exists for the
material.

System Response

The system has informed you that this combination of serial number and
<GL:material_number>material number</> already exists in your system.
However, it configured in such a way that the combination of material
number and serial number must <ZH>not</> be unique.

How to fix this error?

Make sure that your entries are correct and change them if
necessary before you continue processing.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message IS166 - Serial number & already exists for material & ?

  The SAP error message IS166 indicates that a serial number you are trying to assign to a material already exists in the system. This typically occurs during processes such as goods receipt, production order confirmation, or when trying to create a delivery or sales order.
  Cause:
  
  Duplicate Serial Number: The serial number you are trying to use has already been assigned to another material or is already in use in the system.
  Incorrect Material Number: The serial number may be associated with a different material number than the one you are currently working with.
  System Configuration: The system may be configured to enforce unique serial numbers across certain materials or plants.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Existing Serial Numbers: Use transaction codes like IQ03 (Display Serial Number) to check if the serial number is already assigned to another material. If it is, you will need to use a different serial number.
  Verify Material Number: Ensure that you are using the correct material number associated with the serial number. If the serial number belongs to a different material, you will need to use the correct one.
  Change Serial Number: If the serial number is indeed in use, you will need to generate or assign a new serial number that is not already in the system.
  Review Configuration: If you believe the serial number should be allowed, review the configuration settings in the material master or serial number management settings to ensure they are set up correctly.
  
  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: Check the material master data for the specific material to ensure that serial number management is correctly configured.
  User Authorization: Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to create or modify serial numbers in the system.
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address specific issues or bugs related to serial number management.
  
  If the problem persists after following these steps, it may be beneficial to consult with your SAP support team or refer to SAP documentation for further troubleshooting.