How To Fix KO218 - The lowest status is greater than that of the following status

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: KO - Master data for CO orders

• Message number: 218

• Message text: The lowest status is greater than that of the following status

What causes this issue?

The value for the lowest status in the current status is greater than
the corresponding value of the following status.

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?

Enter the lowest status in ascending values, i.e. enter a value that is
less than or equal to the lowest value of the following status.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message KO218 - The lowest status is greater than that of the following status ?

  The SAP error message KO218, which states "The lowest status is greater than that of the following status," typically occurs in the context of controlling (CO) and production planning (PP) modules. This error is related to the status management of orders, particularly when dealing with production orders, internal orders, or other controlling objects.
  Cause:
  The error arises when there is a conflict in the status sequence of an order. In SAP, each order can have various statuses (e.g., created, released, technically completed, closed). The system expects these statuses to follow a specific sequence. If the lowest status (the most basic or initial status) is found to be greater than a subsequent status, it indicates a logical inconsistency. For example, if an order is marked as "closed" but still has a status of "in process," this would trigger the KO218 error.
  Solution:
  To resolve the KO218 error, you can follow these steps:
  
  
  Check the Order Status: Review the status of the order in question. You can do this by navigating to the order in the relevant transaction (e.g., CO02 for production orders) and checking the status overview.
  
  
  Correct the Status Sequence: If you find that the statuses are not in the correct sequence, you may need to change the status of the order. This can involve:
  
  Releasing the order if it is in a status that should not be allowed (e.g., "closed").
  Changing the status to a valid one that follows the correct sequence.
  
  
  
  Use Transaction Codes: You can use transaction codes like CO02 (Change Production Order) or CO03 (Display Production Order) to view and modify the order status.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: If you are unsure about the correct status sequence, refer to SAP documentation or your organization's internal guidelines regarding order status management.
  
  
  Check for Customizations: If your organization has custom developments or enhancements, ensure that they are not interfering with the standard status management logic.
  
  
  Contact Support: If the issue persists after checking the statuses and making necessary adjustments, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting with an SAP expert for further assistance.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Status Management: Understanding the status management in SAP is crucial. Each status has specific implications for the order's lifecycle, and knowing the allowed transitions can help prevent errors.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message. SAP frequently updates its knowledge base with solutions for common problems.
  Training and Documentation: Ensure that users involved in order processing are trained on the correct procedures for managing order statuses to minimize the occurrence of such errors.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the KO218 error effectively.