How To Fix PO337 - OTF module: Failed to initialize character conversion &1 -> &2

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: PO - Spooler message

• Message number: 337

• Message text: OTF module: Failed to initialize character conversion &1 -> &2

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.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message PO337 - OTF module: Failed to initialize character conversion &1 -> &2 ?

  The SAP error message PO337 indicates that there is a failure in initializing character conversion between two character sets during the processing of an output request, typically in the context of output processing (like printing or emailing documents). The error message format is usually as follows:
  PO337 OTF module: Failed to initialize character conversion &1 -> &2
  Where &1 and &2 represent the source and target character sets, respectively.
  Causes:
  
  Missing or Incorrect Character Set Configuration: The character sets specified in the output configuration may not be correctly defined or may not exist in the system.
  Incompatible Character Sets: The source and target character sets may not be compatible, leading to conversion failures.
  System Configuration Issues: There may be issues with the SAP system configuration, such as missing language packs or incorrect settings in the SAP kernel.
  Data Issues: The data being processed may contain characters that cannot be converted from the source to the target character set.
  
  Solutions:
  
  
  Check Character Set Configuration:
  
  Verify the character sets defined in the output configuration. Ensure that both the source and target character sets are correctly specified and exist in the system.
  You can check the character set settings in transaction SPAD (Spool Administration).
  
  
  
  Review Output Device Settings:
  
  Check the settings of the output device being used (transaction SPAD). Ensure that the character set settings for the device are correct and compatible with the document being processed.
  
  
  
  Update SAP Kernel:
  
  If the issue persists, consider updating the SAP kernel to the latest version, as there may be bug fixes or improvements related to character conversion.
  
  
  
  Test with Different Data:
  
  If possible, test the output with different data to see if the issue is related to specific characters in the data being processed.
  
  
  
  Consult SAP Notes:
  
  Search for relevant SAP Notes in the SAP Support Portal that may address this specific error. There may be known issues or patches available.
  
  
  
  Contact SAP Support:
  
  If the problem cannot be resolved with the above steps, consider reaching out to SAP Support for further assistance. Provide them with detailed information about the error, including the context in which it occurs.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: 
  
  SPAD - Spool Administration
  SP01 - Spool Request Overview
  
  
  SAP Notes: Always check the SAP Support Portal for any specific notes related to character conversion issues or the PO337 error.
  Documentation: Review SAP documentation related to output processing and character set handling for more insights.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to diagnose and resolve the PO337 error in your SAP system.