How To Fix IV638 - Cannot send express mail to & (return code &)

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: IV - Elementary Steps of Incremental Conversion (ICNV)

• Message number: 638

• Message text: Cannot send express mail to & (return code &)

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.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message IV638 - Cannot send express mail to & (return code &) ?

  The SAP error message IV638, which states "Cannot send express mail to & (return code &)," typically occurs when there is an issue with the configuration or functionality of the email system integrated with SAP. This error can arise due to various reasons, including incorrect email settings, issues with the mail server, or problems with the recipient's email address.
  Causes:
  
  Incorrect Email Configuration: The settings for the SMTP server or the email client in SAP may not be configured correctly.
  Mail Server Issues: The mail server may be down, misconfigured, or experiencing connectivity issues.
  Invalid Recipient Address: The email address specified may be incorrect or not formatted properly.
  Authorization Issues: The user may not have the necessary permissions to send emails from the SAP system.
  Return Code Issues: The return code mentioned in the error message can provide specific insights into the nature of the problem (e.g., authentication failure, server not reachable, etc.).
  
  Solutions:
  
  
  Check Email Configuration:
  
  Verify the SMTP settings in the SAP system (transaction code SCOT).
  Ensure that the SMTP server address, port, and authentication details are correct.
  
  
  
  Test Mail Server Connectivity:
  
  Use tools like telnet to check if the SAP system can connect to the mail server on the specified port.
  Check the mail server logs for any errors or issues related to the connection from the SAP system.
  
  
  
  Validate Recipient Email Address:
  
  Ensure that the email address you are trying to send to is valid and correctly formatted.
  Test sending an email to a different, known valid address to see if the issue persists.
  
  
  
  Check User Authorizations:
  
  Ensure that the user account used to send the email has the necessary permissions to send emails from the SAP system.
  
  
  
  Review Return Code:
  
  Investigate the specific return code provided in the error message. This can give you more context about the failure (e.g., if it indicates a specific type of error).
  
  
  
  Consult SAP Notes:
  
  Check the SAP Support Portal for any relevant notes or updates related to this error message. There may be patches or updates that address known issues.
  
  
  
  Contact IT Support:
  
  If the issue persists after checking the above points, consider reaching out to your IT support team or SAP Basis team for further assistance.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: SCOT (for configuring SMTP), SOST (to check the status of sent emails).
  SAP Notes: Search for specific SAP Notes related to email sending issues for additional troubleshooting steps or patches.
  Documentation: Review SAP documentation on email configuration and troubleshooting for more detailed guidance.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue causing the IV638 error message in your SAP system.