How To Fix WA871 - Cannot display background job for restarting WIs with temporary errors

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WA - Messages from Workflow Event Manager

• Message number: 871

• Message text: Cannot display background job for restarting WIs with temporary errors

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WA871 - Cannot display background job for restarting WIs with temporary errors ?

  Certainly! Here's a detailed explanation regarding the SAP error message:
  
  SAP Error Message:
  WA871 - Cannot display background job for restarting WIs with temporary errors
  
  Cause:
  This error occurs when you try to display or restart background jobs related to Workflow Instances (WIs) that have temporary errors, but the system cannot find or access the corresponding background job information.
  Specifically, the error arises because:
  
  The background job associated with the workflow instance is not available or has been deleted.
  The workflow instance is in a state where the system expects a background job to exist for restarting, but it cannot locate it.
  There might be inconsistencies or missing entries in the workflow runtime tables that link workflow instances to background jobs.
  The workflow runtime environment or job scheduling system is not properly synchronized.
  
  
  Explanation:
  In SAP Workflow, when a workflow instance encounters a temporary error (e.g., system unavailable, locked resources), the system can schedule a background job to restart the workflow instance automatically. The transaction or report you use to display or restart these WIs tries to find the background job details.
  If the background job is missing or the linkage is broken, the system throws WA871 because it cannot display or restart the job as expected.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Background Job Existence:
  
  Use transaction SM37 (Job Monitoring) to check if the background job related to the workflow instance exists.
  If the job is missing, it might have been deleted or never created.
  
  
  
  Recreate or Restart Workflow Instances Manually:
  
  If the background job is missing, you may need to restart the workflow instance manually.
  Use transaction SWI1 (Work Item Selection) or SWI2_FREQ to find the workflow instances with errors.
  Restart the workflow instance manually via SWI2_FREQ or SWI6.
  
  
  
  Check Workflow Runtime Tables:
  
  Tables like SWWWIHEAD (workflow instances) and SWWLOGHIST (workflow logs) can be checked for inconsistencies.
  If inconsistencies are found, consider running workflow consistency checks or contacting SAP support.
  
  
  
  Workflow Runtime Environment:
  
  Ensure that the workflow runtime environment is correctly configured.
  Check if the background job scheduling system is working properly.
  
  
  
  SAP Notes and Patches:
  
  Check for any SAP Notes related to WA871 or workflow background job issues.
  Apply relevant patches or support packages if available.
  
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  Transactions:
  
  SM37 - Job Monitoring
  SWI1 - Work Item Selection
  SWI2_FREQ - Restart Workflow with Errors
  SWI6 - Workflow Log
  
  
  
  Tables:
  
  SWWWIHEAD - Workflow Instances
  SWWLOGHIST - Workflow Log History
  TBTCO - Background Job Header
  
  
  
  SAP Notes:
  
  Search SAP Support Portal for notes related to WA871 or workflow background job errors.
  
  
  
  General Advice:
  
  Always ensure that workflow background jobs are not deleted manually.
  Monitor workflow error queues regularly.
  Implement proper error handling and monitoring for workflows.
  
  
  
  
  If the problem persists after these steps, consider raising a support ticket with SAP, providing detailed logs and system information.
  
  Summary:
  
  WA871 occurs because the system cannot find the background job needed to restart workflow instances with temporary errors. The solution involves verifying the existence of the background job, manually restarting workflow instances if necessary, checking workflow runtime data consistency, and ensuring the workflow runtime environment is properly configured.