How To Fix RSBO203 - Unable to open file &: External lock

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: RSBO - Open Hub

• Message number: 203

• Message text: Unable to open file &: External lock

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 RSBO203 - Unable to open file &: External lock ?

  The SAP error message RSBO203, which states "Unable to open file &: External lock," typically occurs in the context of SAP BW (Business Warehouse) or SAP BI (Business Intelligence) when there is an issue with accessing a file due to an external lock. This can happen during data extraction, loading, or processing tasks.
  Causes:
  
  File Locking: The file you are trying to access is locked by another process or user. This can happen if another job is currently using the file or if a previous job did not release the lock properly.
  Permissions Issues: The user or process attempting to access the file may not have the necessary permissions to read or write to the file.
  File Path Issues: The specified file path may be incorrect or the file may not exist at the specified location.
  Network Issues: If the file is located on a network drive, there may be connectivity issues preventing access to the file.
  Temporary Files: Sometimes, temporary files created during processing can cause conflicts if they are not cleaned up properly.
  
  Solutions:
  
  Check for Locks: Use transaction codes like SM12 (to check for locks) to see if another user or process is holding a lock on the file. If so, you may need to wait for that process to complete or contact the user to release the lock.
  Verify Permissions: Ensure that the user or process has the necessary permissions to access the file. Check the file system permissions and adjust them if necessary.
  Check File Path: Verify that the file path specified in the job or process is correct and that the file exists at that location. You can do this by navigating to the file location directly.
  Network Connectivity: If the file is on a network drive, check your network connection and ensure that the drive is accessible.
  Clean Up Temporary Files: If temporary files are causing the issue, you may need to manually delete them or configure the system to clean them up automatically.
  Restart the Process: Sometimes, simply restarting the job or process can resolve temporary locking issues.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any specific patches or updates related to this error. SAP frequently releases notes that address known issues.
  System Logs: Review system logs (transaction SLG1) for additional error messages or warnings that may provide more context about the issue.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums to see if other users have encountered similar issues and what solutions they found effective.
  
  If the problem persists after trying the above solutions, it may be necessary to involve your SAP Basis team or technical support for further investigation.