How To Fix RT166 - Utilized area of spool service queue (percentage)

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

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

• Message number: 166

• Message text: Utilized area of spool service queue (percentage)

The spool request queue takes on output requests from the dispatcher
queue. This happens when a free work process in the spool server
accepts the output request.
INCLUDE BC_SPOOL_MOREINFO OBJECT DOKU ID TX LANGUAGE EN

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message RT166 - Utilized area of spool service queue (percentage) ?

  The SAP error message RT166 indicates that the utilized area of the spool service queue has reached a certain percentage threshold. This typically means that the spool system is nearing its capacity, which can lead to issues with printing or generating spool requests.
  Cause:
  
  High Volume of Spool Requests: A large number of print jobs or spool requests may be generated, filling up the spool queue.
  Configuration Limits: The spool service may be configured with limits that are too low for the current workload.
  Retention Settings: Spool requests may not be deleted or archived in a timely manner, leading to accumulation.
  System Performance Issues: If the system is slow or experiencing performance issues, it may not process spool requests efficiently.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Monitor and Manage Spool Requests:
  
  Use transaction SP01 to monitor the spool requests and identify any that can be deleted or archived.
  Regularly clean up old or unnecessary spool requests to free up space.
  
  
  
  Adjust Spool Configuration:
  
  Check the configuration settings for the spool service in transaction SPAD (Spool Administration).
  Increase the maximum number of spool requests or the size of the spool area if necessary.
  
  
  
  Set Retention Periods:
  
  Adjust the retention settings for spool requests to ensure that they are deleted or archived after a certain period.
  
  
  
  Optimize Print Jobs:
  
  Review the print jobs being generated to see if they can be optimized or reduced in volume.
  
  
  
  System Performance:
  
  Ensure that the system is performing optimally. Check for any performance bottlenecks that may be affecting the spool processing.
  
  
  
  Consult SAP Notes:
  
  Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may provide additional guidance or patches related to spool management.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes:
  
  SP01: Display Spool Requests
  SPAD: Spool Administration
  SP02: Display Spool Requests for User
  
  
  Monitoring Tools: Use SAP Solution Manager or other monitoring tools to keep track of system performance and spool usage.
  Documentation: Refer to SAP Help documentation for detailed information on spool management and configuration.
  
  By addressing the underlying causes and implementing the suggested solutions, you can mitigate the RT166 error and ensure smooth operation of the spool service in your SAP environment.