How To Fix VIRT199 - Available Memory Consumed

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: VIRT - Virtualization Monitoring

• Message number: 199

• Message text: Available Memory Consumed

What causes this issue?

Percentage of Available Memory consumed by this virtual system.

System Response

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

How to fix this error?

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message VIRT199 - Available Memory Consumed ?

  The SAP error message VIRT199: Available Memory Consumed typically indicates that the SAP system has reached its limit for available virtual memory. This can occur due to various reasons, such as high workload, inefficient memory usage, or configuration issues. Here’s a breakdown of the cause, potential solutions, and related information:
  Causes:
  
  High Workload: A sudden increase in user activity or background jobs can lead to high memory consumption.
  Memory Leaks: Inefficient coding or poorly designed programs can lead to memory not being released properly.
  Configuration Issues: Incorrect settings in the SAP system or the underlying database can lead to suboptimal memory usage.
  Insufficient Hardware Resources: The physical server may not have enough RAM to handle the workload.
  Background Processes: Long-running or resource-intensive background jobs can consume significant memory.
  
  Solutions:
  
  
  Monitor Memory Usage:
  
  Use transaction codes like ST02 (Tune Summary) and SM50 (Process Overview) to monitor memory consumption and identify processes that are consuming excessive memory.
  
  
  
  Adjust SAP Memory Parameters:
  
  Review and adjust the memory parameters in the instance profile (e.g., abap/heap_area_dia, abap/heap_area_nondia, abap/heap_area_total) to allocate more memory to the SAP instance.
  
  
  
  Optimize ABAP Programs:
  
  Analyze and optimize custom ABAP programs to ensure they are not consuming excessive memory. Use tools like the ABAP Runtime Analysis (transaction SE30) to identify performance bottlenecks.
  
  
  
  Increase Physical Memory:
  
  If the server is consistently running out of memory, consider upgrading the physical RAM on the server.
  
  
  
  Review Background Jobs:
  
  Check for long-running or resource-intensive background jobs and optimize or schedule them during off-peak hours.
  
  
  
  Database Optimization:
  
  Ensure that the database is properly tuned and that indexes are maintained to improve performance and reduce memory consumption.
  
  
  
  Restart the SAP Instance:
  
  As a temporary measure, restarting the SAP instance can free up memory, but this should not be a long-term solution.
  
  
  
  Check for Memory Leaks:
  
  Use tools like the Memory Inspector (transaction S_MEMORY) to identify and address memory leaks in the system.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes related to memory management and performance tuning for specific guidance and updates.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums for insights and shared experiences from other users facing similar issues.
  Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation on memory management and performance tuning for best practices.
  
  By addressing the underlying causes and implementing the suggested solutions, you can mitigate the VIRT199 error and improve the overall performance of your SAP system.