How To Fix TG261 - Background job & could not be started

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: TG - Messages for Upgrade Repository Switch

• Message number: 261

• Message text: Background job & could not be started

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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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 TG261 - Background job & could not be started ?

  The SAP error message TG261 indicates that a background job could not be started. This error can occur for various reasons, and understanding the cause is essential for troubleshooting. Here are some common causes, potential solutions, and related information:
  Causes:
  
  Resource Limitations: The system may not have enough resources (e.g., memory, CPU) to start the background job.
  Job Scheduling Conflicts: There may be conflicts with other jobs that are scheduled to run at the same time.
  Incorrect Job Configuration: The job may be incorrectly configured, such as missing parameters or invalid settings.
  User Authorizations: The user who scheduled the job may not have the necessary authorizations to execute the job.
  System Status: The system may be in a state that does not allow background jobs to be executed (e.g., maintenance mode).
  Job Server Issues: The server designated to run the background job may be down or not available.
  
  Solutions:
  
  Check System Resources: Monitor system performance and ensure that there are sufficient resources available. You may need to optimize or increase system resources.
  Review Job Scheduling: Check the job scheduling to see if there are conflicts with other jobs. You can adjust the scheduling to avoid overlaps.
  Validate Job Configuration: Review the job configuration for any missing or incorrect parameters. Ensure that all required settings are correctly defined.
  Check User Authorizations: Verify that the user who scheduled the job has the necessary authorizations to execute it. You may need to adjust user roles or permissions.
  System Status Check: Ensure that the system is not in maintenance mode or any other state that would prevent background jobs from running.
  Job Server Availability: Check the status of the job server. If it is down, you may need to restart it or redirect the job to a different server.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: You can use transaction codes like SM37 to monitor background jobs and check their status. This can provide insights into why a job failed.
  Job Logs: Review the job logs for any additional error messages or warnings that can provide more context about the failure.
  SAP Notes: Check the SAP Support Portal for any relevant SAP Notes that may address specific issues related to the TG261 error.
  System Logs: Review system logs (transaction SM21) for any related errors or warnings that occurred around the time the job was scheduled to run.
  
  By systematically checking these areas, you should be able to identify the cause of the TG261 error and implement an appropriate solution.