How To Fix ME346 - Material & requires serial number (cannot be selected)

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: ME - Purchasing: General Messages

• Message number: 346

• Message text: Material & requires serial number (cannot be selected)

What causes this issue?

Materials requiring a serial number cannot currently be posted in the
background because the serial number must be specified.

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?

Use the dialog transaction to post the goods issue.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message ME346 - Material & requires serial number (cannot be selected) ?

  The SAP error message ME346 ("Material & requires serial number (cannot be selected)") typically occurs when you are trying to process a material that is configured to require serial number tracking, but the system cannot find a valid serial number for the material in the context of the transaction you are performing. This can happen in various scenarios, such as during goods movements, sales orders, or inventory management.
  Causes:
  
  Serial Number Requirement: The material is set up in the system to require serial numbers, but none have been assigned or available for the transaction.
  Incorrect Material Master Settings: The material master record may not be properly configured to handle serial numbers.
  Transaction Context: The transaction you are trying to perform may not support the selection of materials that require serial numbers.
  Stock Type: The stock type (e.g., unrestricted, quality inspection) may not have any serial numbers assigned.
  Missing Serial Number Assignment: The serial number may not have been assigned to the stock or may not be available in the current stock location.
  
  Solutions:
  
  
  Check Serial Number Assignment:
  
  Ensure that the material has serial numbers assigned in the stock. You can check this in the stock overview (transaction code: MMBE) or by using the serial number management (transaction code: IQ01/IQ02).
  
  
  
  Assign Serial Numbers:
  
  If the material requires a serial number, make sure to assign a valid serial number during the transaction. This can be done in the goods movement or sales order screen where serial numbers are required.
  
  
  
  Review Material Master Settings:
  
  Go to the material master (transaction code: MM03) and check the "Basic Data" and "Plant Data" views to ensure that the serial number management settings are correctly configured.
  
  
  
  Check Stock Type:
  
  Verify that the stock type you are working with has available serial numbers. If you are trying to move stock from a type that does not have serial numbers assigned, you will encounter this error.
  
  
  
  Use Correct Transaction:
  
  Ensure that you are using the correct transaction that supports serial number handling. Some transactions may not allow for the selection of materials that require serial numbers.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Review SAP documentation or consult with your SAP support team for specific configurations related to serial number management in your system.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes:
  
  MMBE: Stock Overview
  IQ01/IQ02: Create/Change Serial Numbers
  MM03: Display Material Master
  
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address specific issues or bugs related to serial number management.
  User Roles: Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to view and manage serial numbers in the system.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the ME346 error and successfully process the material that requires a serial number.