How To Fix TN720 - Error when deleting the file '&1&2' on the application server

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: TN - Support Package Manager (SPAM) Messages

• Message number: 720

• Message text: Error when deleting the file '&1&2' on the application server

What causes this issue?

An error occurred when you attempted to delete a file. The reasons for
this error could include:
The file is write-protected
The file has already been deleted
The file has been locked exclusively by another process
You have no authorization for deleting files at the operating system
level

System Response

The file is not deleted.

How to fix this error?

Check your access to the file at the operating system level.

Procedure for System Administrators

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message TN720 - Error when deleting the file '&1&2' on the application server ?

  The SAP error message TN720 indicates that there was an issue when attempting to delete a file on the application server. The message typically appears in the context of file operations, such as when using the SAP transaction codes that involve file handling (e.g., AL11, FILE transaction, etc.).
  Cause of TN720 Error
  The TN720 error can occur due to several reasons:
  
  
  File Permissions: The user or the SAP system may not have the necessary permissions to delete the specified file. This can happen if the file is owned by a different user or if the permissions are set to restrict deletion.
  
  
  File Locking: The file may be locked by another process or user, preventing it from being deleted.
  
  
  File Path Issues: The specified file path may be incorrect, or the file may not exist at the specified location.
  
  
  File System Issues: There may be issues with the underlying file system, such as disk space problems or file system corruption.
  
  
  SAP Application Server Configuration: There may be configuration issues with the application server that affect file handling.
  
  
  Solution to TN720 Error
  To resolve the TN720 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check File Permissions:
  
  Verify the permissions of the file in question. Ensure that the user under which the SAP application server is running has the necessary permissions to delete the file.
  You can use operating system commands (like ls -l on Unix/Linux) to check the file permissions.
  
  
  
  Check for File Locks:
  
  Determine if the file is currently being used or locked by another process. You can use tools like lsof on Unix/Linux to check for open file handles.
  
  
  
  Verify File Path:
  
  Double-check the file path specified in the error message. Ensure that the file exists and that the path is correct.
  
  
  
  Check Disk Space:
  
  Ensure that there is sufficient disk space on the application server. Lack of disk space can prevent file operations.
  
  
  
  Review Application Server Logs:
  
  Check the SAP application server logs for any additional error messages or warnings that may provide more context about the issue.
  
  
  
  Consult SAP Notes:
  
  Look for any relevant SAP Notes or documentation that may address this specific error. SAP frequently updates its knowledge base with solutions to common issues.
  
  
  
  Contact System Administrator:
  
  If you are unable to resolve the issue, consider reaching out to your system administrator or SAP support for further assistance.
  
  
  
  Related Information
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with transaction codes related to file handling in SAP, such as AL11 (Display File Directory) and FILE (File Management).
  SAP Basis: Understanding the role of SAP Basis in managing application servers and file systems can be helpful.
  Operating System Commands: Knowledge of basic operating system commands for file management can assist in troubleshooting.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the cause of the TN720 error when attempting to delete a file on the SAP application server.