How To Fix SY138 - Maximum permitted number of open files exceeded

SY138 - Overview

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SY - ABAP/4 system messages

• Message number: 138

• Message text: Maximum permitted number of open files exceeded

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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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message SY138 - Maximum permitted number of open files exceeded ?

  The SAP error message SY138, which states "Maximum permitted number of open files exceeded," typically occurs when the SAP system reaches the limit of open file descriptors allowed by the operating system. This can happen due to various reasons, such as a high number of concurrent users, excessive background jobs, or misconfigured file handling in the application.
  
  Cause:
  
  Operating System Limit: Each operating system has a limit on the number of file descriptors that can be opened by a single process or by the system as a whole. If this limit is reached, the SAP system cannot open any more files.
  High Load: A sudden increase in user activity or background jobs can lead to a spike in the number of open files.
  Resource Leaks: Poorly written custom code or third-party add-ons may not close file handles properly, leading to resource leaks.
  
  Configuration Issues: The SAP instance may not be configured to handle the expected