How To Fix KZ171 - Material &1/plant &2 is being processed by user &3

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: KZ - Cost Object Repetitive Mfg / Process Mfg

• Message number: 171

• Message text: Material &1/plant &2 is being processed by user &3

What causes this issue?

You are attempting to assign material &v1&/plant &v2& to a
<DS:GLOS.cost_object_node>cost object node</>. However, this material
is currently locked by user &v3&.

System Response

The assignment is not possible at this time.

How to fix this error?

Enter a different object, or wait until user &v3& has finished
processing material &v1&/plant &v2&.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message KZ171 - Material &1/plant &2 is being processed by user &3 ?

  The SAP error message KZ171 indicates that a specific material in a particular plant is currently being processed by another user. This typically occurs in scenarios where multiple users are trying to access or modify the same material master data or related transactions simultaneously.
  Cause:
  
  Concurrent Access: Another user is currently editing or processing the material in the specified plant.
  Lock Mechanism: SAP uses a locking mechanism to prevent data inconsistencies. When a user accesses a material, it gets locked for editing by others until the first user completes their transaction.
  Long-running Transactions: If a user has a long-running transaction, it may hold the lock for an extended period, causing other users to encounter this error.
  
  Solution:
  
  Wait and Retry: The simplest solution is to wait for the other user to finish their transaction. You can try again after a few minutes.
  Identify the User: If you have the necessary permissions, you can check which user is currently processing the material. This can be done using transaction codes like SM12 (to view locks) or SM21 (to view system logs).
  Contact the User: If you identify the user, you can reach out to them to see if they can complete their transaction or release the lock.
  Release Locks: If the user is no longer active or if the lock is stale, a system administrator can manually release the lock using transaction SM12. However, this should be done with caution to avoid data inconsistencies.
  Check for Background Jobs: Sometimes, background jobs may also hold locks. Check if there are any jobs running that might be causing the lock.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: 
  
  SM12: To view and manage locks.
  SM21: To view system logs for troubleshooting.
  SE11: To check the data dictionary for the material master table (MARA, MARC, etc.).
  
  
  User Training: Ensure that users are trained on how to properly access and edit material data to minimize conflicts.
  System Performance: If this error occurs frequently, it may be worth investigating system performance and user access patterns to optimize workflows.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the KZ171 error and continue with your work in SAP.