How To Fix WL023 - Error when unscheduling the work item deadline monitoring

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WL - Workflow: run-time messages

• Message number: 023

• Message text: Error when unscheduling the work item deadline monitoring

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• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WL023 - Error when unscheduling the work item deadline monitoring ?

  SAP Error Message:
  
  WL023 - Error when unscheduling the work item deadline monitoring
  
  Cause:
  This error occurs when the system tries to unschedule (delete or deactivate) the deadline monitoring job for a work item but fails. The failure can be due to several reasons, such as:
  
  The scheduled job for deadline monitoring does not exist or has already been deleted.
  Insufficient authorizations to modify or delete the scheduled job.
  Inconsistencies or corruption in the workflow runtime tables related to deadline monitoring.
  The background job scheduler (SM37/SM36) is not accessible or has issues.
  The work item or deadline monitoring entry is already processed or in an inconsistent state.
  
  
  Explanation:
  In SAP Workflow, deadline monitoring is used to trigger actions if a work item is not processed within a specified time. The system schedules background jobs to monitor these deadlines. When a work item is completed or canceled, the system tries to unschedule the monitoring job. If this unscheduling fails, the WL023 error is raised.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check the Scheduled Jobs:
  
  Use transaction SM37 to check if the deadline monitoring job exists.
  If the job does not exist, the system might be trying to delete a non-existent job, which can cause this error.
  
  
  
  Verify Authorizations:
  
  Ensure the user or system process has the necessary authorizations to delete or modify background jobs.
  Check roles and authorizations related to job scheduling (e.g., S_BTCH_JOB).
  
  
  
  Manually Delete or Reschedule Jobs:
  
  If the job exists but is stuck or inconsistent, try to delete it manually via SM37 or SM36.
  Reschedule the deadline monitoring if necessary.
  
  
  
  Check Workflow Runtime Tables:
  
  Tables like SWWWIHEAD, SWWDEADLINE, and SWWLOGHIST hold workflow and deadline data.
  Look for inconsistencies or orphaned entries related to the work item.
  Use transaction SWI1 or SWI2_FREQ to analyze workflow logs and deadlines.
  
  
  
  Restart Workflow Runtime:
  
  Sometimes restarting the workflow runtime (via transaction SWU3 or system restart) can clear inconsistencies.
  
  
  
  Apply SAP Notes / Patches:
  
  Check SAP Support Portal for any relevant SAP Notes addressing this error.
  Sometimes, this error is caused by known bugs fixed in patches or support packages.
  
  
  
  Debugging:
  
  If the problem persists, debugging the function module or method responsible for unscheduling deadline monitoring can help identify the root cause.
  Common function modules involved: SWW_DEADLINE_UNSCHEDULE.
  
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  Transactions:
  
  SM37 - Job Monitoring
  SM36 - Job Scheduling
  SWI1 - Work Item Selection
  SWI2_FREQ - Workflow Log
  SWU3 - Workflow Customizing and Runtime Checks
  
  
  
  Tables:
  
  SWWWIHEAD - Work Item Header
  SWWDEADLINE - Deadline Monitoring Data
  SWWLOGHIST - Workflow Log History
  
  
  
  SAP Notes:
  
  Search SAP ONE Support Launchpad for "WL023" or "Error when unscheduling the work item deadline monitoring" for any specific notes.
  
  
  
  
  Summary:
  The WL023 error indicates a failure in unscheduling the deadline monitoring job for a workflow work item. The root cause is usually related to missing or inconsistent scheduled jobs, authorization issues, or data inconsistencies. The solution involves checking and managing background jobs, verifying authorizations, cleaning up workflow runtime data, and applying relevant SAP Notes or patches.