How To Fix SL168 - Work process cannot write a system log

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SL - System log

• Message number: 168

• Message text: Work process cannot write a system log

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.

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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.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message SL168 - Work process cannot write a system log ?

  The SAP error message SL168, which states "Work process cannot write a system log," typically indicates that the SAP system is unable to write log entries to the system log file. This can be caused by several factors, and addressing the issue usually involves checking system configurations and file permissions. Here are some common causes, solutions, and related information:
  Causes:
  
  File System Issues: The file system where the system log is stored may be full or have insufficient space.
  Permissions: The user under which the SAP work process is running may not have the necessary permissions to write to the log file.
  Configuration Errors: There may be misconfigurations in the SAP system that prevent logging.
  Disk Quota: The user may have exceeded their disk quota, preventing further writes.
  File System Corruption: There could be corruption in the file system that is preventing writes.
  
  Solutions:
  
  
  Check Disk Space:
  
  Use operating system commands (like df -h on Unix/Linux) to check if the file system is full. If it is, free up space by deleting unnecessary files or archiving logs.
  
  
  
  Check Permissions:
  
  Ensure that the SAP user has the correct permissions to write to the log directory. You can check and modify permissions using commands like chmod and chown on Unix/Linux systems.
  
  
  
  Review Configuration:
  
  Check the SAP profile parameters related to logging. Ensure that the parameters are correctly set and that the log file paths are valid.
  
  
  
  Check Disk Quota:
  
  If applicable, check if the user has exceeded their disk quota. You may need to increase the quota or clean up files.
  
  
  
  File System Check:
  
  If you suspect file system corruption, run a file system check (like fsck on Unix/Linux) to identify and fix any issues.
  
  
  
  Restart the Work Process:
  
  Sometimes, simply restarting the affected work process or the entire SAP system can resolve transient issues.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes related to SL168 for any specific patches or updates that may address this issue.
  System Logs: Review other system logs (like dev_w0, dev_rfc) for additional error messages that may provide more context.
  SAP Support: If the issue persists after trying the above solutions, consider reaching out to SAP Support for further assistance.
  
  Monitoring:
  
  Regularly monitor the system log and disk space to prevent similar issues in the future. Implement alerts for low disk space or permission issues.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to diagnose and resolve the SL168 error in your SAP system.