How To Fix IW103 - System: Header operation flag does not exist (program error)

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: IW - Order Processing

• Message number: 103

• Message text: System: Header operation flag does not exist (program error)

What causes this issue?

INCLUDE 'FEHLER' OBJECT DOKU ID TX LANGUAGE E

System Response

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

How to fix this error?

INCLUDE 'INFO-SAP' OBJECT DOKU ID TX LANGUAGE E

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message IW103 - System: Header operation flag does not exist (program error) ?

  The SAP error message IW103 ("System: Header operation flag does not exist (program error)") typically occurs in the context of the SAP Plant Maintenance (PM) module, particularly when dealing with maintenance orders or notifications. This error indicates that the system is unable to find a required flag or status for the header operation of a maintenance order, which can be due to various reasons.
  Causes:
  
  Data Inconsistency: There may be inconsistencies in the database, such as missing or corrupted entries related to the maintenance order or its operations.
  Custom Development Issues: If there are custom enhancements or modifications in the system, they might be causing conflicts or errors in the standard program logic.
  Configuration Issues: Incorrect configuration settings in the PM module can lead to this error, especially if the operation flags are not properly defined.
  Program Errors: There may be bugs or issues in the SAP program code that handles the maintenance order processing.
  
  Solutions:
  
  
  Check Data Consistency:
  
  Use transaction codes like SE11 (Data Dictionary) or SE16 (Data Browser) to check the relevant tables (e.g., AUFK for order header, AFKO for order header data) for inconsistencies.
  Run consistency checks or reports to identify any missing or corrupted data.
  
  
  
  Review Custom Code:
  
  If there are any custom enhancements or modifications, review the code to ensure it is not interfering with standard SAP functionality.
  Consider temporarily disabling custom code to see if the error persists.
  
  
  
  Configuration Review:
  
  Check the configuration settings in the PM module to ensure that all necessary flags and statuses are correctly defined.
  Use transaction SPRO to navigate to the relevant configuration settings and verify that they are set up correctly.
  
  
  
  SAP Notes and Support:
  
  Search for relevant SAP Notes in the SAP Support Portal that may address this specific error. SAP frequently releases notes to fix known issues.
  If the problem persists, consider opening a support ticket with SAP for further assistance.
  
  
  
  Debugging:
  
  If you have access to debugging tools, you can debug the program that triggers the error to identify the exact point of failure and the state of the variables involved.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as IW31 (Create Order), IW32 (Change Order), and IW33 (Display Order) to replicate the issue and gather more context.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums to see if other users have encountered similar issues and what solutions they have found.
  Documentation: Review SAP documentation related to the PM module for any additional insights on order processing and error handling.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to diagnose and resolve the IW103 error in your SAP system.