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How To Fix WA616 - The contents of the event trace table were deleted


SAP Error Message - Details

  • Message type: E = Error

  • Message class: WA - Messages from Workflow Event Manager

  • Message number: 616

  • Message text: The contents of the event trace table were deleted

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  • 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.

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    Unfortunately, there isn't any extra information in this error notice.



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Smart SAP Assistant

  • What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WA616 - The contents of the event trace table were deleted ?

    Certainly! Here's a detailed explanation regarding the SAP error message WA616: The contents of the event trace table were deleted:


    SAP Error Message: WA616

    Text: The contents of the event trace table were deleted


    Cause

    • The message WA616 is an informational or warning message indicating that the event trace table (used for logging or tracing events in SAP) has been cleared or deleted.
    • This usually happens when the event trace table reaches a certain size limit or when an administrator or a background job explicitly deletes the contents to free up space or reset the trace.
    • It is not an error in the sense of a system failure but a notification that the trace data is no longer available because it was deleted.
    • Common scenarios:
      • Manual deletion by basis/admin team.
      • Automatic cleanup by a scheduled job or system program.
      • Trace buffer overflow leading to automatic deletion of old entries.

    Solution / Actions

    • Check if the deletion was intentional:
      Verify with the system administrators or basis team if the event trace table was cleared on purpose as part of maintenance or troubleshooting.

    • Review system logs and traces:
      Since the event trace data is deleted, you cannot retrieve the old trace entries. Check other logs (SM21 system log, ST22 dumps, or application logs) for related information.

    • Prevent unwanted deletion:
      If the deletion was unexpected, investigate the cause:

      • Check if any background jobs or programs are scheduled to clear the event trace table.
      • Review system parameters or trace settings that might trigger automatic cleanup.
      • Adjust the size or retention settings of the event trace table if possible.
    • Re-enable tracing if needed:
      If you rely on event tracing for troubleshooting, ensure that tracing is reactivated after the deletion.


    Related Information

    • Event Trace Table:
      This table stores trace entries for events occurring in the system, useful for debugging and monitoring.

    • Transaction Codes:

      • ST11 - To check trace files.
      • SM21 - System log.
      • ST22 - Dump analysis.
      • SM12 - Lock entries (sometimes related to event trace locking).
      • SM37 - Job monitoring (to check if any job deletes the trace).
    • SAP Notes:
      There might be SAP Notes related to event trace management or specific issues causing unexpected deletion. Check the SAP Support Portal with the message number WA616 or related keywords.

    • System Parameters:
      Trace size and retention can sometimes be controlled via profile parameters or trace configuration in the system.


    Summary

    Aspect Details
    Message WA616: The contents of the event trace table were deleted
    Cause Event trace table was cleared manually or automatically (e.g., size limit reached)
    Effect Trace data is lost; no error but informational message
    Solution Verify deletion reason, check logs, prevent unwanted deletion, re-enable tracing if needed
    Related Use SM21, ST22, ST11 for further analysis; check jobs in SM37; review SAP Notes

    If you need help with a specific scenario or want to prevent this message from appearing, please provide more details about when and how it occurs in your system.

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