How To Fix PO540 - Frontend printing not possible from background processing.

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: PO - Spooler message

• Message number: 540

• Message text: Frontend printing not possible from background processing.

What causes this issue?

A command to print immediately was sent to a frontend printer during
background processing. This command was not successful as there is no
frontend connection during background processing.

System Response

Request reset.

How to fix this error?

Call Transaction SP01 and "Restart frontend printing" to transfer all
frontend print jobs not yet printed to this terminal. If you receive
the message "Frontend printing currently processing", try "Restart
frontend printing" again a little while later.
If you want to use print immediately during background processing,
choose another printer instead of a frontend printer.

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 PO540 - Frontend printing not possible from background processing. ?

  The SAP error message "PO540 Frontend printing not possible from background processing" typically occurs when there is an attempt to print a document (like a purchase order) from a background job, but the system is unable to send the print job to the frontend printer. This is often due to the nature of how background processing works in SAP.
  Cause:
  
  Frontend Printing Requirement: Frontend printing requires a user session to be active, as it needs to send the print job to a printer that is connected to the user's local machine. Background jobs do not have an active user session.
  Print Settings: The print settings may not be configured correctly for background jobs.
  Output Device Configuration: The output device may not be set up to allow frontend printing or may not be available in the background processing context.
  User Authorization: The user executing the background job may not have the necessary authorizations to print.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Use Spool for Background Jobs: Instead of trying to print directly to a frontend printer, configure the background job to create a spool request. This can be done by setting the output type to "spool" instead of "print".
  
  In the transaction where you set up the background job, ensure that the output device is set to a spool device.
  
  
  
  Check Output Device Settings: Ensure that the output device is correctly configured to handle background printing. You can check this in transaction SPAD (Spool Administration).
  
  Make sure the device is set to "Output device type" that supports background processing.
  
  
  
  Use Transaction Codes: If you need to print from a background job, consider using transaction codes that allow for background processing and ensure that the output is directed to a spool rather than a frontend printer.
  
  
  Review User Authorizations: Ensure that the user executing the background job has the necessary authorizations to create spool requests and print.
  
  
  Check Job Scheduling: If the job is scheduled to run at a specific time, ensure that the job is set up correctly and that the system is not facing any issues at the time of execution.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes related to printing issues, as they may provide specific fixes or updates related to your version of SAP.
  Documentation: Review SAP documentation on background processing and printing to understand the limitations and configurations required.
  Support: If the issue persists, consider reaching out to SAP support for assistance, especially if it is affecting business processes.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the PO540 error and successfully manage printing from background processing in SAP.