How To Fix VSCE406 - Unexpected characteristic reference: &1 not in knowledge base

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: VSCE - Messages for SCE

• Message number: 406

• Message text: Unexpected characteristic reference: &1 not in knowledge base

What causes this issue?

In the dependency, a characteristic is referenced that is unknown in the
knowledge base.

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

Possible reasons for this error include:
Invalid derivation for a SCREEN_DEP reference characteristic.
Incorrect constraint code as a result of constraint maintenance with
change management (see SAP Note 386319).

System Response

The generation of the knowledge base runtime version is cancelled.

How to fix this error?

Check the dependencies in which the specified characteristic is used.
If necessary, correct any invalid derivations for SCREEN_DEP reference
characteristics.

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 VSCE406 - Unexpected characteristic reference: &1 not in knowledge base ?

  The SAP error message VSCE406, which states "Unexpected characteristic reference: &1 not in knowledge base," typically occurs in the context of SAP Variant Configuration (VC). This error indicates that the system has encountered a characteristic that is not recognized or defined in the knowledge base for the configuration model you are working with.
  Cause:
  
  Missing Characteristic: The characteristic referenced in the error message (&1) is not defined in the configuration model or the knowledge base.
  Incorrect Configuration: The configuration model may have been altered, and the characteristic may have been removed or not properly linked.
  Data Inconsistency: There may be inconsistencies in the data, such as missing entries in the characteristic or its dependencies.
  Transport Issues: If the configuration model was transported from one system to another, there may have been issues during the transport process that led to missing characteristics.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Characteristic Definition: Verify that the characteristic referenced in the error message is defined in the knowledge base. You can do this by navigating to the relevant configuration model in the SAP system and checking the characteristics.
  Update Knowledge Base: If the characteristic is missing, you may need to add it to the knowledge base. This can be done through the configuration settings in the SAP system.
  Review Configuration Model: Ensure that the configuration model is correctly set up and that all necessary characteristics are included. Check for any recent changes that may have affected the model.
  Transport Validation: If the issue arose after a transport, validate that all necessary objects were transported correctly. You may need to re-transport the missing characteristics or related objects.
  Debugging: If the issue persists, consider using the debugging tools in SAP to trace the execution and identify where the error is occurring.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error. SAP frequently updates its knowledge base with solutions for common problems.
  Documentation: Review the SAP documentation for Variant Configuration to ensure that you are following best practices in setting up characteristics and models.
  Community Forums: Engage with SAP community forums or support channels where other users may have encountered similar issues and can provide insights or solutions.
  
  If the problem continues after trying the above solutions, it may be beneficial to reach out to SAP support for further assistance.