How To Fix WSS004 - Error when saving the profile

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WSS - Web Services Security

• Message number: 004

• Message text: Error when saving the profile

What causes this issue?

An error occurred while saving the profile in the database.

System Response

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

How to fix this error?

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WSS004 - Error when saving the profile ?

  SAP Error Message:
  
  WSS004 - Error when saving the profile
  
  Cause:
  The error message WSS004 typically occurs when there is a problem saving a user profile in SAP. This can be due to several reasons, including:
  
  Authorization issues: The user attempting to save the profile does not have sufficient authorization.
  Inconsistent or invalid profile data: The profile data being saved contains invalid or inconsistent entries.
  System or database issues: Problems with the SAP system or database that prevent the profile from being saved.
  Locking conflicts: The profile might be locked by another user or process.
  Transport or client-specific restrictions: Sometimes profiles cannot be saved due to client-specific settings or transport layer restrictions.
  
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the WSS004 error, consider the following steps:
  
  
  Check Authorizations:
  
  Verify that the user has the necessary authorizations to create or change profiles.
  Relevant authorization objects include S_USER_GRP and S_USER_PRO.
  Use transaction SU53 immediately after the error to check for missing authorizations.
  
  
  
  Validate Profile Data:
  
  Review the profile data for any invalid entries or inconsistencies.
  Ensure that the profile name and parameters conform to SAP standards.
  
  
  
  Check for Locks:
  
  Use transaction SM12 to check if the profile is locked by another user or process.
  If locked, coordinate with the user or release the lock if appropriate.
  
  
  
  System Health Check:
  
  Check system logs (transaction SM21) and short dumps (transaction ST22) for related errors.
  Ensure the database and SAP system are functioning properly.
  
  
  
  Client and Transport Settings:
  
  Verify if the client settings allow profile changes.
  Check if the profile is part of a transport request that is locked or incomplete.
  
  
  
  Retry Saving:
  
  After addressing the above points, try saving the profile again.
  
  
  
  SAP Notes and Support:
  
  Search for relevant SAP Notes using the error message or symptom.
  If the problem persists, consider raising a support ticket with SAP.
  
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  Transaction Codes:
  
  PFCG – Role maintenance (where profiles are often generated and saved)
  SU01 – User maintenance (profiles assigned to users)
  SM12 – Lock entries
  SU53 – Authorization check
  ST22 – Dump analysis
  SM21 – System log
  
  
  
  SAP Documentation:
  
  SAP Help Portal on user and profile management
  SAP Notes related to profile generation and saving errors
  
  
  
  Common Scenarios:
  
  When creating or modifying roles in PFCG, the profile generation step may fail with WSS004.
  When assigning profiles to users in SU01, saving may fail if the profile is invalid or locked.
  
  
  
  
  If you provide more context (e.g., transaction used, exact steps, system version), I can help narrow down the cause and solution further.