How To Fix VIRT420 - Memory Swapped Out

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: VIRT - Virtualization Monitoring

• Message number: 420

• Message text: Memory Swapped Out

What causes this issue?

Host: This is the total amount of memory that is swapped out for all
virtual machines on the host.
Virtual System: This is the amount of memory that has been reclaimed by
this virtual system by transparently swapping guest memory to disk.

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 VIRT420 - Memory Swapped Out ?

  The SAP error message VIRT420 Memory Swapped Out typically indicates that the SAP system is experiencing memory pressure, leading to the operating system swapping out memory pages to disk. This can significantly degrade performance and may lead to application errors or slow response times.
  Causes:
  
  Insufficient Physical Memory: The server may not have enough RAM to handle the workload, causing the operating system to swap memory pages.
  High Workload: A sudden increase in user activity or background jobs can lead to high memory consumption.
  Memory Leaks: Certain applications or processes may not release memory properly, leading to increased memory usage over time.
  Configuration Issues: Incorrect configuration of SAP parameters or the underlying operating system can lead to inefficient memory usage.
  Background Processes: Long-running or resource-intensive background jobs can consume significant memory.
  
  Solutions:
  
  Increase Physical Memory: If the server is consistently running out of memory, consider adding more RAM to the system.
  Optimize SAP Parameters: Review and optimize SAP memory parameters (e.g., abap/heap_area_total, abap/heap_area_dia, etc.) to ensure efficient memory usage.
  Monitor and Analyze Workload: Use transaction codes like ST03N (Workload Analysis) and ST06 (Operating System Monitor) to analyze memory usage and identify any bottlenecks.
  Check for Memory Leaks: Use tools like the SAP Memory Inspector or transaction ST02 (Tune Summary) to identify and address memory leaks in the system.
  Review Background Jobs: Check for any long-running or resource-intensive background jobs that may be consuming excessive memory and optimize or schedule them appropriately.
  Adjust Swap Space: Ensure that the swap space is configured correctly on the operating system. While increasing swap space can help, it is not a substitute for physical memory.
  System Restart: In some cases, a system restart may help clear out memory and resolve temporary issues.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes related to memory management and performance tuning for specific guidance and best practices.
  Operating System Monitoring: Use OS-level monitoring tools to track memory usage and identify any processes that are consuming excessive resources.
  SAP Support: If the issue persists, consider reaching out to SAP Support for further assistance and troubleshooting.
  
  By addressing the underlying causes and implementing the suggested solutions, you can mitigate the VIRT420 error and improve the overall performance of your SAP system.