How To Fix IW868 - Enter a serial number

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: IW - Order Processing

• Message number: 868

• Message text: Enter a serial number

What causes this issue?

You have not entered a <DS:GLOS.serial_number>serial number</>. You
must enter a serial number so that the service product can be used.

System Response

INCLUDE KEINE-VERARBEITUNG OBJECT DOKU ID TX LANGUAGE EN

How to fix this error?

Enter a serial number.

Procedure for System Administrators

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 IW868 - Enter a serial number ?

  The SAP error message IW868 ("Enter a serial number") typically occurs in the context of maintenance orders or notifications when the system requires a serial number to be entered for a piece of equipment or a material that is being processed. This error is common in scenarios where serial number management is enabled, and the system expects a serial number to be associated with the item being worked on.
  Cause:
  
  Serial Number Requirement: The equipment or material you are trying to process is configured to require a serial number, but none has been entered.
  Configuration Settings: The material or equipment master data may have been set up to require serial numbers, and the system is enforcing this requirement.
  Transaction Context: The transaction you are performing (e.g., creating a maintenance order, recording a service notification) may specifically require a serial number for tracking purposes.
  
  Solution:
  
  Enter a Serial Number: When prompted with the error message, you should enter a valid serial number for the equipment or material in question. Ensure that the serial number corresponds to an existing item in the system.
  Check Equipment/Material Master Data: Verify the master data for the equipment or material to ensure that it is correctly set up for serial number management. You can do this by navigating to the equipment or material master record and checking the serial number settings.
  Review Transaction Settings: If you are consistently encountering this error in a specific transaction, review the configuration settings for that transaction to determine if serial number entry can be made optional or if there are any specific requirements that need to be adjusted.
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or your organization's SAP support team for guidance on how to handle serial numbers in your specific context.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Serial Number Management: Understand how serial number management works in SAP, including how to create, track, and manage serial numbers for materials and equipment.
  User Roles and Permissions: Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to enter or modify serial numbers in the system.
  SAP Notes and Support: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address specific issues or bugs related to serial number entry in your version of SAP.
  Training and Best Practices: Consider training sessions or best practice guides on handling serial numbers in SAP to avoid similar issues in the future.
  
  If the problem persists after following these steps, it may be beneficial to reach out to your SAP support team for further assistance.