How To Fix WI552 - Work item & does not exist

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WI - BPT Workflow: Messages from Info System

• Message number: 552

• Message text: Work item & does not exist

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WI552 - Work item & does not exist ?

  Certainly! Here's a detailed explanation regarding the SAP error message WI552: Work item & does not exist:
  
  Error Message: WI552 - Work item & does not exist
  
  Cause:
  This error occurs when a workflow tries to access or process a work item that is no longer available in the system. The work item might have been:
  
  Already processed and deleted.
  Withdrawn or canceled.
  Deleted due to workflow cleanup or archiving.
  Never created due to an error in workflow triggering.
  The work item ID being referenced is incorrect or outdated.
  
  In other words, the system cannot find the work item with the specified ID in the workflow runtime tables (e.g., SWWWIHEAD).
  
  When does it typically occur?
  
  When a user tries to display or process a work item that has been removed.
  When a workflow container or program references a work item that does not exist.
  During workflow restart or reprocessing.
  When custom code or user-exits try to access a non-existing work item.
  When a workflow task is manually deleted or withdrawn.
  
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Verify the Work Item ID:
  
  Check if the work item ID being referenced is correct.
  Use transaction SWI1 (Work Item Selection) or SWI5 (Work Item Display) to search for the work item.
  If the work item is not found, it confirms it no longer exists.
  
  
  
  Check Workflow Logs:
  
  Use SWI1 or SWI2_FREQ to analyze workflow logs and see the status of the work item.
  Determine if the work item was completed, withdrawn, or deleted.
  
  
  
  Check for Workflow Cleanup Jobs:
  
  SAP runs background jobs that clean up old or completed work items.
  If the work item is old, it might have been deleted by these jobs.
  You can check the job logs for cleanup jobs like SAP_WAPI_WORKITEM_CLEANUP.
  
  
  
  Review Custom Code or User Exits:
  
  If custom code references work items, ensure it handles cases where the work item might not exist.
  Add error handling to avoid referencing deleted work items.
  
  
  
  Restart or Recreate the Workflow:
  
  If the workflow is stuck or inconsistent, consider restarting or recreating the workflow instance.
  Use transaction SWU3 to check workflow configuration and consistency.
  
  
  
  Check for Transport or System Issues:
  
  Sometimes, inconsistencies arise after transports or system copies.
  Verify that workflow objects and tasks are correctly transported and active.
  
  
  
  
  Additional Information:
  
  
  Tables involved:
  
  SWWWIHEAD - Workflow work item header table.
  SWWWIREF - Work item reference table.
  SWWLOGH - Workflow log header.
  
  
  
  Transactions to use:
  
  SWI1 - Work Item Selection.
  SWI5 - Display Work Item.
  SWI2_FREQ - Frequent Work Items.
  SWU3 - Workflow Customizing.
  SWIA - Workflow Administration.
  
  
  
  SAP Notes:
  
  Check SAP Notes related to workflow errors and work item inconsistencies.
  For example, SAP Note 108011 or others related to workflow runtime errors.
  
  
  
  
  Summary:
  
  
  
  Aspect
  Details
  
  
  
  
  Cause
  Work item referenced does not exist (deleted, withdrawn, or never created).
  
  
  Effect
  Workflow or user action fails with error WI552.
  
  
  Solution
  Verify work item existence, check workflow logs, review cleanup jobs, handle errors in custom code, restart workflow if needed.
  
  
  
  
  If you provide the context in which this error occurs (e.g., during workflow processing, user action, custom program), I can help with more specific troubleshooting steps.