How To Fix MW838 - See the spool list

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: MW - Messages IS-R / Allocation Tables

• Message number: 838

• Message text: See the spool list

Self-Explanatory Message

Since SAP believes that this specific error message is 'self-explanatory,' no more information has been given.The majority of messages in the SAP system have a message text, however this is frequently insufficient to comprehend or resolve the problem.

To make things easier, more detailed information is frequently added to describe the issue, how to fix it, and the necessary steps or configuration modifications.

Unfortunately, there isn't any extra information in this error notice.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message MW838 - See the spool list ?

  The SAP error message MW838 typically indicates that there is an issue with the output of a document, often related to the spool request. This message suggests that the system is unable to process the output request due to some underlying issue, and it prompts the user to check the spool list for more details.
  Cause:
  The MW838 error can be caused by several factors, including:
  
  Spool Request Issues: The spool request may have encountered an error during processing, such as being canceled or not being generated correctly.
  Printer Configuration: There may be issues with the printer configuration, such as the printer being offline, not being set up correctly, or lacking the necessary permissions.
  Output Device Problems: The output device may not be available or may have encountered an error.
  Insufficient Authorizations: The user may not have the necessary authorizations to access the spool request or the output device.
  System Errors: There could be underlying system errors or issues with the SAP spool system itself.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the MW838 error, you can follow these steps:
  
  
  Check the Spool List:
  
  Go to transaction code SP01 (Spool Request) to view the spool requests.
  Look for the specific spool request related to the document you were trying to print or output.
  Check the status of the spool request (e.g., whether it is completed, canceled, or has errors).
  
  
  
  Analyze the Error:
  
  If the spool request has an error, click on it to see the details. This may provide insights into what went wrong.
  Look for any error messages or codes that can help diagnose the issue.
  
  
  
  Check Printer Configuration:
  
  Ensure that the output device (printer) is correctly configured in transaction code SPAD (Spool Administration).
  Verify that the printer is online and accessible.
  
  
  
  Review User Authorizations:
  
  Ensure that the user has the necessary authorizations to access the spool request and the output device.
  
  
  
  Reprocess the Spool Request:
  
  If the spool request is in an error state, you may be able to delete it and reprocess the output request from the original transaction.
  
  
  
  Consult SAP Notes:
  
  Check the SAP Support Portal for any relevant SAP Notes that may address known issues related to the MW838 error.
  
  
  
  Contact SAP Support:
  
  If the issue persists and you cannot resolve it, consider reaching out to SAP Support for further assistance.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  Transaction Codes:
  
  SP01: View spool requests.
  SPAD: Spool administration for printer configuration.
  SP02: Manage spool requests for a specific user.
  
  
  
  Documentation: Refer to SAP Help documentation for more details on spool management and troubleshooting.
  
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue causing the MW838 error in SAP.