How To Fix PO478 - No spool service assigned to server &1 (either directly or indirectly)

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: PO - Spooler message

• Message number: 478

• Message text: No spool service assigned to server &1 (either directly or indirectly)

What causes this issue?

No spool service is assigned to the specified server.
This is the case if:
The server is active, does not have a spool service of its own, and
No alternate server is configured or
There is no configured and active alternate server with a spool
service.
The server is inactive and
No alternate server is configured or
There is no configured and active alternate server with a spool
service.
The server is a logical server and
According to the logical server mapping (including all alternate
servers) there is no active server with a spool server and
No alternate server is configured or
There is no configured and active alternate server with a spool
service.

System Response

The specified server cannot be used as a spool server for the output
requests.

How to fix this error?

Choose another spool server or assign a spool service to this server by
configuring an alternate server, or assigning the specified server at
least one spool work process in its profile.

Procedure for System Administrators

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message PO478 - No spool service assigned to server &1 (either directly or indirectly) ?

  The SAP error message PO478 indicates that there is no spool service assigned to the specified server. This can occur in various scenarios, particularly when trying to print documents or generate output that requires a spool request. Here’s a breakdown of the cause, potential solutions, and related information:
  Cause:
  
  Missing Spool Service Assignment: The server specified in the error message does not have a spool service assigned to it. This can happen if the server configuration is incomplete or if the spool service has been removed or not set up correctly.
  Incorrect Server Configuration: The server may not be configured properly in the SAP system, leading to the inability to process spool requests.
  Transport Issues: If the server configuration was recently transported from another system, it may not have included the necessary spool service settings.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Spool Service Assignment:
  
  Go to transaction code SPAD (Spool Administration).
  Navigate to Output Devices and find the server mentioned in the error message.
  Check the configuration of the output device and ensure that a spool service is assigned to it.
  
  
  
  Assign Spool Service:
  
  If no spool service is assigned, you can assign one by editing the output device settings.
  Ensure that the spool service is correctly configured and active.
  
  
  
  Verify Server Configuration:
  
  Check the server settings in transaction SCC4 (Client Administration) to ensure that the server is correctly set up for printing.
  Ensure that the server is part of the correct instance and that it is active.
  
  
  
  Check for Transport Issues:
  
  If the configuration was recently transported, verify that all necessary objects and settings were included in the transport request.
  If needed, re-transport the configuration or manually adjust the settings.
  
  
  
  Restart Spool Services:
  
  Sometimes, restarting the spool services can resolve temporary issues. You can do this in transaction SPAD.
  
  
  
  Consult SAP Notes:
  
  Check the SAP Support Portal for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error or provide additional troubleshooting steps.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes:
  
  SPAD: Spool Administration
  SCC4: Client Administration
  
  
  Documentation: Refer to SAP Help documentation for detailed information on configuring output devices and spool services.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums for insights from other users who may have encountered similar issues.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the PO478 error and ensure that your SAP system can process spool requests correctly.