How To Fix PH205 - Personnel number is locked because it is currently being edited

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: PH - PA: Archiving & Reorganization

• Message number: 205

• Message text: Personnel number is locked because it is currently being edited

What causes this issue?

The personnel number is currently being edited by another user.
Therefore, it cannot be archived.

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?

Delay archiving until the lock has been cancelled.
Find out who triggered the lock, and ask him or her to stop editing the
personnel number.

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 PH205 - Personnel number is locked because it is currently being edited ?

  The SAP error message PH205 indicates that a personnel number is currently locked because it is being edited by another user or process. This typically occurs in the Human Capital Management (HCM) module when multiple users attempt to access or modify the same employee record simultaneously.
  Cause:
  
  Concurrent Access: Another user is currently editing the personnel record.
  System Lock: The system may have a lock on the record due to a previous transaction that has not been completed or has been interrupted.
  Background Jobs: A background job or process may be running that is accessing the personnel data.
  Transaction Errors: An error in a previous transaction may have left the record in a locked state.
  
  Solution:
  
  Wait and Retry: If another user is editing the record, wait for them to finish and then try again.
  Check Lock Entries: Use transaction code SM12 to check for lock entries. You can look for locks on the specific personnel number and see if you can identify the user or process that is holding the lock.
  Release Locks: If you have the necessary authorizations, you can manually delete the lock entry in SM12. Be cautious with this approach, as it may disrupt the work of other users.
  Check Background Jobs: Use transaction code SM37 to check if there are any background jobs that might be locking the personnel number. If you find any, you may need to wait for them to complete or consult with your system administrator.
  System Restart: In some cases, a system restart may be necessary to clear any persistent locks, but this should be done with caution and typically requires coordination with your IT department.
  Consult with IT Support: If the issue persists, it may be necessary to consult with your SAP Basis or IT support team for further investigation.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as SM12 (for lock entries), SM37 (for background jobs), and SU01 (for user management).
  User Training: Ensure that users are trained on how to properly exit transactions to avoid leaving records in a locked state.
  System Configuration: Review system settings related to locking mechanisms and user access to ensure they align with organizational policies.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the PH205 error and regain access to the personnel number in question.