How To Fix WA873 - Background job for restarting WIs with temporary errors not deleted

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WA - Messages from Workflow Event Manager

• Message number: 873

• Message text: Background job for restarting WIs with temporary errors not deleted

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WA873 - Background job for restarting WIs with temporary errors not deleted ?

  Certainly! Here's a detailed explanation regarding the SAP error message WA873:
  
  SAP Error Message: WA873
  Text: Background job for restarting WIs with temporary errors not deleted
  
  1. Cause
  This message appears when the system tries to delete a background job that was created to restart Workflow Instances (WIs) which had temporary errors, but the job could not be deleted successfully.
  
  In SAP Workflow, when a workflow instance encounters a temporary error (e.g., system unavailable, locked objects), the system can schedule a background job to automatically restart these instances after some time.
  If for some reason the system attempts to delete this background job (for example, when the workflow is cleaned up or the error condition is resolved), but the deletion fails, the message WA873 is triggered.
  Possible reasons for failure to delete the job include:
  
  The job is currently running or locked.
  Insufficient authorizations to delete the job.
  Job does not exist or has already been deleted.
  System inconsistencies or database locks.
  
  
  
  
  2. Solution
  To resolve the issue, follow these steps:
  
  
  Check the Background Job Status:
  
  Use transaction SM37 (Job Monitoring) to find the job related to restarting WIs with temporary errors.
  Look for jobs with names like SAP_WI_RESTART or similar.
  Check if the job is active, scheduled, or stuck.
  
  
  
  Manually Delete or Release the Job:
  
  If the job is stuck or locked, try to delete it manually via SM37.
  If deletion fails, check for locks or system issues.
  
  
  
  Check Authorizations:
  
  Ensure the user or process trying to delete the job has the necessary authorizations (e.g., S_BTCH_JOB).
  
  
  
  Check Workflow Logs:
  
  Use transaction SWI1 or SWI2_DIAG to analyze workflow instances with temporary errors.
  Confirm if the workflow instances are still in error or have been resolved.
  
  
  
  Restart the Workflow Engine:
  
  Sometimes, restarting the workflow engine (via transaction SWU3 or system restart) can clear stuck jobs.
  
  
  
  Apply SAP Notes / Patches:
  
  Check SAP Support Portal for any relevant SAP Notes addressing this issue.
  Sometimes, this is a known bug fixed in patches or support packages.
  
  
  
  Database and System Checks:
  
  Check for database locks or inconsistencies.
  Run consistency checks for workflow tables if needed.
  
  
  
  
  3. Related Information
  
  
  Transaction Codes:
  
  SM37 – Job Monitoring
  SWI1 – Workflow Log
  SWI2_DIAG – Workflow Diagnosis
  SWU3 – Workflow Customizing and Checks
  
  
  
  Workflow Background Job:
  
  The job responsible for restarting WIs with temporary errors is typically scheduled automatically by the system.
  If this job is not deleted properly, it may cause repeated attempts or system clutter.
  
  
  
  Temporary Errors in Workflow:
  
  Temporary errors are errors that are expected to be resolved automatically or after some time.
  Examples: locked objects, unavailable resources, system downtime.
  
  
  
  SAP Notes:
  
  Search SAP Notes with keywords like "WA873", "workflow restart job not deleted", or "background job deletion failure".
  Example SAP Note (hypothetical): 1234567 - "Background job for restarting WIs with temporary errors cannot be deleted"
  
  
  
  
  Summary
  
  
  
  Aspect
  Description
  
  
  
  
  Cause
  Failure to delete the background job that restarts workflow instances with temporary errors.
  
  
  Solution
  Check and manually delete the job in SM37, verify authorizations, check workflow logs, restart workflow engine, apply SAP Notes.
  
  
  Related Info
  Use SM37, SWI1, SWI2_DIAG, SWU3; understand workflow temporary errors and job scheduling.
  
  
  
  
  If you provide the exact job name or system logs, I can help you with more specific instructions.