How To Fix MLT771 - Maximum time for search (&1 seconds) was exceeded (see help)

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: MLT - Messages for Translation Tools

• Message number: 771

• Message text: Maximum time for search (&1 seconds) was exceeded (see help)

What causes this issue?

The maximum time for the search was exceeded. To save system resources,
a maximum search time has been set. This means that searches are
canceled if they yield no results once this time has elapsed.

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?

Please enter more specific search criteria to reduce the number of hits.
When performing a generic search, you can use the following characters:
'+',,stands for precisely one character
'*',,stands for any number of characters
Example: You want to search for short proposals that start with the
letter L.
- A search for L* provides a long list of results, all of which start
with the letter L. This search could take a very long time to finish.
- It is better to perform three searches for L+, L++, and L+++. These
searches find all two-, three-, and four-character proposals that start
with the letter L.
If you want to increase the maximum time permitted for your searches,
choose "Proposal Pool -> Settings -> Maximum Duration of Search". System
administrators may have entered a maximum value for the entire system
that cannot be exceeded.

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 MLT771 - Maximum time for search (&1 seconds) was exceeded (see help) ?

  The SAP error message MLT771 indicates that a maximum time limit for a search operation has been exceeded. This typically occurs in scenarios where the system is trying to perform a search operation that takes longer than the predefined threshold, which can lead to performance issues or timeouts.
  Cause:
  
  Large Data Volume: The search operation may be trying to process a large volume of data, which can exceed the time limit set in the system.
  Inefficient Queries: The search query may not be optimized, leading to longer processing times.
  System Performance Issues: The overall performance of the SAP system may be degraded due to high load, insufficient resources, or other background processes.
  Configuration Settings: The maximum search time limit may be set too low for the operations being performed.
  
  Solution:
  
  Optimize Queries: Review and optimize the search queries to ensure they are efficient. This may involve indexing, filtering, or restructuring the queries.
  Increase Time Limit: If appropriate, consider increasing the maximum time limit for searches in the system configuration. This can usually be done in the relevant configuration settings.
  Data Management: If the data volume is too large, consider archiving old data or implementing data management strategies to reduce the amount of data being processed.
  System Performance Tuning: Check the overall performance of the SAP system. This may involve monitoring system resources, optimizing background jobs, or upgrading hardware if necessary.
  Check for Locks: Ensure that there are no locks or other processes that are causing delays in the search operation.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any specific patches or updates related to this error message. SAP frequently releases updates that may address performance issues.
  Transaction Codes: Use transaction codes like ST22 (Dump Analysis) or SM21 (System Log) to analyze any related issues that may be contributing to the error.
  Performance Monitoring Tools: Utilize SAP performance monitoring tools to identify bottlenecks in the system that may be affecting search operations.
  
  If the issue persists after trying the above solutions, it may be beneficial to consult with SAP support or your internal SAP Basis team for further assistance.