How To Fix W/171 - Process no. &2: System or communication error; see long text

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: W/ -

• Message number: 171

• Message text: Process no. &2: System or communication error; see long text

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.

What else can you do?

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 W/171 - Process no. &2: System or communication error; see long text ?

  Certainly! Here's a detailed explanation for the SAP error message:
  
  SAP Error Message:
  W/171 Process no. &2: System or communication error; see long text
  
  Meaning / Cause:
  
  This warning message indicates that a system or communication error has occurred during the execution of a process in SAP.
  The placeholder &2 represents the process number or ID where the error happened.
  The error typically arises due to issues such as:
  
  Network communication problems between SAP application servers or between SAP and external systems.
  System resource limitations or failures (e.g., memory, CPU overload).
  Problems in the dialog or background process handling.
  Timeouts or interruptions in RFC (Remote Function Call) or other communication protocols.
  Issues with the SAP kernel or dispatcher.
  
  
  
  
  Where to Find More Information:
  
  The message advises to "see long text," which means you should check the detailed message text in the SAP system for more specific information.
  You can view the long text by:
  
  Clicking on the message in the SAP GUI.
  Using transaction SE91 (Message Maintenance) to look up message class and number.
  Checking system logs (transaction SM21) for related system errors.
  Reviewing developer traces (transaction ST11) and system traces (transaction ST22 for dumps).
  Checking communication logs (transaction SM59 for RFC destinations).
  
  
  
  
  Possible Solutions:
  
  
  Check Network and Communication:
  
  Verify network connectivity between involved systems.
  Check for any firewall or network interruptions.
  Test RFC connections using transaction SM59.
  
  
  
  Review System Resources:
  
  Monitor system load and resource usage.
  Check for any system dumps or short dumps (transaction ST22).
  Ensure that the SAP kernel and dispatcher are running properly.
  
  
  
  Restart or Refresh Processes:
  
  Sometimes restarting the affected work process or application server can resolve transient issues.
  Use transaction SM50 or SM66 to monitor and manage work processes.
  
  
  
  Check for SAP Notes and Patches:
  
  Search SAP Support Portal for notes related to message W/171 or system communication errors.
  Apply any relevant patches or kernel updates.
  
  
  
  Analyze Logs and Traces:
  
  Use SM21 to check system logs for related errors.
  Review developer traces (ST11) for detailed error information.
  Check for any dump analysis in ST22.
  
  
  
  Consult Basis Team:
  
  If the issue persists, involve the SAP Basis team for deeper system-level troubleshooting.
  
  
  
  
  Additional Information:
  
  This message is a warning (W), not an error (E), so the process might continue or recover after the warning.
  It is important to identify the root cause to prevent recurring communication failures.
  Communication errors can impact data consistency and process reliability, so timely resolution is critical.
  
  
  If you provide the exact long text or context (e.g., transaction, process type), I can help you analyze the issue more specifically.