How To Fix RT158 - &1 &3 > &2 &3 Background work process load exceeds threshold

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: RT - Monitoring infrastructure MSG and alert texts

• Message number: 158

• Message text: &1 &3 > &2 &3 Background work process load exceeds threshold

What causes this issue?

This message describes an alert in the CCMS monitoring architecture.
Here, the monitoring architecture reports that the utilization of
background work processes has exceeded the threshold.

System Response

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

How to fix this error?

Excessively high utilization may mean that background work processes are
being blocked by long-running background jobs, or that there are too
many jobs for the background work processes to handle efficiently.
The consequence of this problem may be delays in starting background
jobs that are ready to run. Such delays can be important if, for
example, long-running jobs are substantially delayed and cannot be
completed in the timeframe that you have planned. The alert monitor
also reports on the length of the background processing queue. If
background job-starts are being delayed by the high utilization, then
the queue lengths will rise.
To solve this problem, evaluate your background processing workload. If
long-running jobs are causing the high utilization, then shift these
jobs to a time period in which your system is optimized for background
processing. (See the CCMS operation mode functionality. Operation modes
let you reconfigure your system on the fly for background processing or
dialog operation.)
If there are too many jobs for the background processing system to
handle or you have already concentrated long-running jobs in an
operation mode for background processing, then you should add more
background work processes. In extreme cases, it may be necessary to add
background processing server (SAP application servers that offer the
background processing service).
You should also check for background processing jobs that are run in
parallel (see the background processing documentation for more
information). Ensure that parallel jobs are not competing for resources
on the same application servers.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message RT158 - &1 &3 > &2 &3 Background work process load exceeds threshold ?

  The SAP error message RT158 indicates that the background work process load has exceeded a predefined threshold. This can lead to performance issues in the SAP system, as background jobs may not be processed efficiently. Here’s a breakdown of the cause, potential solutions, and related information for this error:
  Cause:
  
  High Volume of Background Jobs: A large number of background jobs may be scheduled to run simultaneously, leading to an overload on the background work processes.
  Long-Running Jobs: Some background jobs may take longer to complete than expected, causing a backlog in the queue.
  Insufficient Work Processes: The system may not have enough background work processes configured to handle the workload.
  Resource Constraints: Limited system resources (CPU, memory, I/O) can also contribute to the background work process load exceeding the threshold.
  Configuration Issues: Incorrect configuration settings for background processing can lead to inefficiencies.
  
  Solutions:
  
  Monitor Background Jobs: Use transaction codes like SM37 to monitor the status of background jobs. Identify any jobs that are taking too long or are stuck.
  Adjust Job Scheduling: Stagger the scheduling of background jobs to avoid peak loads. You can also prioritize jobs based on their importance.
  Increase Background Work Processes: If the system is consistently overloaded, consider increasing the number of background work processes in the instance profile. This can be done by adjusting the parameter rdisp/wp_no_btc.
  Optimize Long-Running Jobs: Review and optimize any long-running jobs to ensure they are efficient. This may involve code optimization or breaking down large jobs into smaller, more manageable tasks.
  Check System Resources: Monitor system resources using tools like ST06 or OS01 to ensure that the server has adequate CPU, memory, and I/O capacity. If necessary, consider upgrading hardware or optimizing resource usage.
  Review Configuration Settings: Check the configuration settings for background processing in transaction RZ10 or RZ11 to ensure they are set appropriately for your workload.
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  Transaction Codes:
  
  SM37: Monitor background jobs.
  SM50: Monitor work processes.
  ST22: Check for dumps that may indicate issues with background jobs.
  RZ10/RZ11: Adjust instance profile parameters.
  
  
  
  SAP Notes: Check for relevant SAP Notes that may provide additional insights or patches related to background processing issues.
  
  
  Performance Tuning: Consider engaging in performance tuning activities to improve overall system performance, which can help alleviate background processing load.
  
  
  By addressing the underlying causes and implementing the suggested solutions, you can mitigate the RT158 error and improve the efficiency of background job processing in your SAP system.