How To Fix M5303 - Number of characteristic chains > 3 (internal error)

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: M5 - LIS: Standard Analyses (Inventory Controlling Doc. Analysis)

• Message number: 303

• Message text: Number of characteristic chains > 3 (internal error)

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.

What else can you do?

First, use our AnswerBot below to get a possible cause and solution (requires a premium subscription).

Also, review the in-depth Common Questions & Answers listed below; you could discover a solution there or be able to connect with others who have faced similar challenges.

You can also try searching the SAP support portal (support.sap.com) but you need a special user ID to access it. It is possible that an SAP support note exists that provides additional details about the mistake or even steps for fixing it.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message M5303 - Number of characteristic chains > 3 (internal error) ?

  The SAP error message M5303, which states "Number of characteristic chains > 3 (internal error)," typically occurs in the context of SAP's Material Management (MM) or Production Planning (PP) modules. This error indicates that the system has encountered an internal limitation regarding the number of characteristic chains that can be processed simultaneously.
  Cause:
  The error is generally caused by:
  
  Complexity of the Material Master Data: When a material has too many characteristics or variants, the system may exceed its internal limits for processing these characteristics.
  Configuration Issues: Incorrect or overly complex configuration in the variant configuration or classification system can lead to this error.
  Data Integrity Issues: There may be inconsistencies or errors in the data related to the characteristics or their relationships.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the M5303 error, consider the following steps:
  
  
  Review Characteristic Chains:
  
  Analyze the characteristics associated with the material in question. Try to simplify the configuration by reducing the number of characteristics or variants if possible.
  
  
  
  Check Configuration Settings:
  
  Review the configuration settings in the variant configuration (if applicable) to ensure they are set up correctly and not overly complex.
  
  
  
  Data Cleanup:
  
  Ensure that there are no inconsistencies in the master data. Check for any missing or incorrect entries in the characteristics or their values.
  
  
  
  SAP Notes:
  
  Check the SAP Support Portal for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error. There may be patches or updates that can resolve the issue.
  
  
  
  Consult SAP Support:
  
  If the issue persists after trying the above solutions, consider reaching out to SAP Support for further assistance. They may provide insights specific to your system configuration or suggest additional troubleshooting steps.
  
  
  
  Testing:
  
  After making changes, conduct thorough testing to ensure that the error does not recur and that the system behaves as expected.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Documentation: Review the official SAP documentation related to variant configuration and characteristic management for best practices.
  Community Forums: Engage with SAP community forums or user groups where similar issues may have been discussed, and solutions shared.
  System Logs: Check system logs for any additional error messages or warnings that may provide more context about the issue.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the root cause of the M5303 error and implement a solution to resolve it.