How To Fix RT641 - Cross-system number of free background work processes

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

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

• Message number: 641

• Message text: Cross-system number of free background work processes

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 RT641 - Cross-system number of free background work processes ?

  The SAP error message RT641 indicates that there is a cross-system issue with the number of free background work processes. This typically occurs in a distributed system landscape where multiple SAP systems are connected, and it can lead to performance issues or delays in processing background jobs.
  Cause:
  
  
  Insufficient Background Work Processes: The primary cause of this error is that there are not enough background work processes available in the system to handle the workload. This can happen if:
  
  The number of background jobs exceeds the configured limit.
  Background processes are busy or blocked due to long-running jobs.
  There are configuration issues in the system.
  
  
  
  Cross-System Load: In a landscape with multiple SAP systems, if one system is overloaded, it can affect the availability of background processes in other systems.
  
  
  Configuration Issues: Incorrect configuration of the instance profile parameters related to background processing can lead to this error.
  
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Increase Background Work Processes:
  
  Check the current configuration of background work processes in the instance profile (parameter rdisp/wp_no_btc).
  If necessary, increase the number of background work processes to accommodate the workload.
  
  
  
  Monitor Background Jobs:
  
  Use transaction codes like SM37 to monitor background jobs and identify any long-running or stuck jobs.
  Terminate or optimize long-running jobs to free up resources.
  
  
  
  Check System Load:
  
  Analyze the overall system load using transaction ST03N or ST06 to identify if the system is under heavy load.
  If one system is overloaded, consider redistributing the workload or scheduling jobs during off-peak hours.
  
  
  
  Review Configuration:
  
  Ensure that the instance profile parameters related to background processing are correctly set.
  Check for any cross-system configuration settings that might be affecting the availability of background processes.
  
  
  
  System Restart: In some cases, restarting the affected SAP instance can help clear any temporary issues that are causing the background processes to be unavailable.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  Transaction Codes:
  
  SM37: Monitor background jobs.
  SM50: Monitor work processes.
  ST03N: Analyze workload and performance.
  ST06: Monitor system performance.
  
  
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may provide additional insights or patches related to background processing issues.
  
  
  Documentation: Refer to SAP Help documentation for detailed information on configuring background processing and managing work processes.
  
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the RT641 error and ensure that your SAP system has sufficient background work processes to handle the workload effectively.