How To Fix POWL029 - Shared Memory limit reached

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: POWL - Internal Messages used in generic personal object work list

• Message number: 029

• Message text: Shared Memory limit reached

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.

What else can you do?

First, use our AnswerBot below to get a possible cause and solution (requires a premium subscription).

Also, review the in-depth Common Questions & Answers listed below; you could discover a solution there or be able to connect with others who have faced similar challenges.

You can also try searching the SAP support portal (support.sap.com) but you need a special user ID to access it. It is possible that an SAP support note exists that provides additional details about the mistake or even steps for fixing it.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message POWL029 - Shared Memory limit reached ?

  The SAP error message POWL029: Shared Memory limit reached typically occurs when the shared memory allocated for the Persistent Object Worklist (POWL) has been exceeded. This can happen due to various reasons, such as a large number of work items being processed or insufficient memory allocation for the POWL.
  Cause:
  
  Excessive Work Items: If there are too many work items in the POWL, it can exceed the allocated shared memory limit.
  Configuration Issues: The configuration settings for shared memory may not be optimized for the current workload.
  Memory Leaks: There may be memory leaks in the application that are causing the shared memory to fill up.
  System Resource Limitations: The overall system resources (RAM, CPU) may be constrained, leading to insufficient memory for POWL.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Increase Shared Memory Allocation:
  
  You can increase the shared memory allocation for POWL by adjusting the parameters in the SAP system. This can typically be done in transaction RZ10 or RZ11.
  Look for parameters like POWL_MAX_MEMORY and increase its value.
  
  
  
  Clear Work Items:
  
  Review and clear unnecessary work items from the POWL. This can help reduce the memory usage.
  You can also consider archiving old work items if they are no longer needed.
  
  
  
  Monitor and Optimize:
  
  Use transaction ST02 (Tune Summary) to monitor memory usage and identify any bottlenecks.
  Check for any long-running processes or transactions that may be consuming excessive memory.
  
  
  
  Check for Memory Leaks:
  
  Investigate if there are any memory leaks in custom developments or third-party applications that might be affecting memory usage.
  
  
  
  System Resources:
  
  Ensure that the underlying hardware has sufficient resources (RAM, CPU) to handle the workload.
  Consider scaling up the hardware if necessary.
  
  
  
  Consult SAP Notes:
  
  Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may provide additional guidance or patches related to this error.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  Transaction Codes: 
  
  RZ10: Profile maintenance.
  RZ11: Parameter maintenance.
  ST02: Memory management.
  POWL: Worklist management.
  
  
  
  SAP Documentation: Refer to the official SAP documentation for POWL and memory management for more detailed information.
  
  
  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 POWL029 error and optimize the performance of your SAP system.