How To Fix ME186 - Document &, item &, already being processed

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: ME - Purchasing: General Messages

• Message number: 186

• Message text: Document &, item &, already being processed

What causes this issue?

You cannot open the chosen document at present because either it is
already being processed by another user or the system is currently
saving data from the processing of the document.

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?

Try again in a few minutes.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message ME186 - Document &, item &, already being processed ?

  The SAP error message ME186 ("Document &, item &, already being processed") typically occurs in the context of purchasing documents, such as purchase orders or purchase requisitions. This error indicates that the specified document and item are currently being processed by another user or transaction, which prevents you from making changes or performing certain actions on that document.
  Causes:
  
  Concurrent Processing: Another user is currently editing or processing the same document/item.
  Background Jobs: A background job is running that is locking the document/item.
  Transaction Lock: The document/item is locked due to a previous transaction that has not been completed or has encountered an error.
  Database Lock: There may be a database-level lock on the document/item due to ongoing operations.
  
  Solutions:
  
  Wait and Retry: If another user is processing the document, wait for them to complete their task and then try again.
  Check for Locks: Use transaction codes like SM12 (to check for locks) to see if there are any active locks on the document/item. If you find a lock that should not be there, you may need to contact your SAP administrator to resolve it.
  Review Background Jobs: Check if there are any background jobs running that might be processing the document. You can use transaction SM37 to monitor background jobs.
  Transaction Rollback: If a previous transaction failed and left the document in a locked state, you may need to roll back that transaction or resolve any issues that caused it to fail.
  Contact Support: If the issue persists and you cannot identify the cause, it may be necessary to contact your SAP support team for further assistance.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as:
  
  ME23N (Display Purchase Order)
  ME22N (Change Purchase Order)
  SM12 (Display and Delete Locks)
  SM37 (Job Monitoring)
  
  
  User Roles: Ensure that you have the appropriate permissions to access and modify the document.
  System Logs: Check system logs for any errors or warnings that might provide additional context for the issue.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to diagnose and resolve the ME186 error in SAP.