How To Fix MH218 - The material group is locked

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: MH - Maintain Material Master Data (Retail)

• Message number: 218

• Message text: The material group is locked

What causes this issue?

You wanted to create a
<DS:GLOS.material_group_reference_material>material group reference
material</> or a <DS:GLOS.material_group_material>material group
material</>. However, the <DS:GLOS.material_group>material group</> is
locked by another user. As a result, the material cannot be created
since the material number has to be entered in the material group
master record.

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 later.

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message MH218 - The material group is locked ?

  The SAP error message MH218, which states "The material group is locked," typically occurs when a material group is locked for changes or updates. This can happen for various reasons, such as administrative actions, data integrity checks, or ongoing processes that require the material group to remain unchanged.
  Causes:
  
  Administrative Lock: The material group may be locked by an administrator to prevent changes during a critical process, such as a system upgrade or data migration.
  Ongoing Transactions: If there are ongoing transactions or processes that involve the material group, it may be locked to ensure data consistency.
  User Permissions: The user attempting to make changes may not have the necessary permissions to modify the material group.
  Data Integrity Issues: The system may lock the material group if it detects potential data integrity issues that need to be resolved.
  
  Solutions:
  
  Check Lock Status: Use transaction code SM12 to check if the material group is locked by another user or process. If it is, you may need to wait until the lock is released or contact the user who has the lock.
  Contact Administrator: If the lock is due to administrative actions, contact your SAP administrator to understand the reason for the lock and when it might be lifted.
  Review User Permissions: Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to modify the material group. If not, request the appropriate access from your SAP security team.
  Resolve Ongoing Transactions: If there are ongoing transactions that are causing the lock, you may need to wait until those transactions are completed or resolved.
  Check for Data Integrity Issues: If the lock is due to data integrity issues, work with your SAP support team to identify and resolve any underlying problems.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as MM01 (Create Material), MM02 (Change Material), and MM03 (Display Material) for managing materials.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to the error message MH218.
  Documentation: Review SAP documentation for material management to understand how material groups are managed and the implications of locking.
  
  If the issue persists after trying the above solutions, it may be beneficial to escalate the matter to your SAP support team for further investigation.