How To Fix MH404 - The configuration class & has more than five characteristics assigned

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

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

• Message number: 404

• Message text: The configuration class & has more than five characteristics assigned

What causes this issue?

It is not allowed to use a configuration class that has more than five
variant creating characteristics assigned to create a new generic
article.
It is also not allowed to reclassify a generic article that belongs to a
configuration class that has more than five variant creating
characteristics assigned.

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?

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 MH404 - The configuration class & has more than five characteristics assigned ?

  The SAP error message MH404 indicates that a configuration class has more than five characteristics assigned to it. This is a limitation in the SAP system, particularly in the context of variant configuration. Here’s a breakdown of the cause, potential solutions, and related information:
  Cause:
  
  In SAP variant configuration, a configuration class is used to define a product with various characteristics. The system has a limitation that restricts the number of characteristics that can be assigned to a single configuration class to five. When you attempt to assign more than five characteristics, the system triggers the MH404 error.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Review Configuration Requirements: Assess whether all the characteristics assigned to the configuration class are necessary. If some characteristics are redundant or can be combined, consider simplifying the configuration.
  
  
  Create Additional Configuration Classes: If you need to use more than five characteristics, consider creating additional configuration classes. You can split the characteristics across multiple classes and use them in conjunction.
  
  
  Use Characteristic Groups: If applicable, you can group related characteristics into characteristic groups. This can help manage the complexity and potentially reduce the number of characteristics assigned to a single class.
  
  
  Check for Unused Characteristics: Sometimes, characteristics may be assigned but not actively used. Review the characteristics to see if any can be removed.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for best practices in variant configuration. This can provide insights into how to structure your configuration more effectively.
  
  
  Seek Help from SAP Support: If you are unable to resolve the issue, consider reaching out to SAP support for assistance. They may provide additional insights or solutions based on your specific configuration.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that might address this limitation or provide workarounds.
  Variant Configuration Documentation: Familiarize yourself with the variant configuration documentation in SAP to understand the best practices and limitations.
  Community Forums: Engage with SAP community forums or user groups where you can share experiences and solutions with other SAP users facing similar issues.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to address the MH404 error and optimize your configuration setup in SAP.