How To Fix WSTI004 - You are not authorized to process physical inventories

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WSTI - Messages about Store Workbench, Physical Inventory

• Message number: 004

• Message text: You are not authorized to process physical inventories

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WSTI004 - You are not authorized to process physical inventories ?

  SAP Error Message:
  
  WSTI004 - You are not authorized to process physical inventories
  
  Cause:
  This error occurs because the user attempting to process physical inventory documents does not have the necessary authorizations in SAP. Specifically, the user lacks the required authorization objects or roles that permit them to create, change, or post physical inventory documents.
  
  Explanation:
  
  Physical inventory processing in SAP involves creating and managing inventory count documents.
  SAP controls access to these functions via authorization objects.
  If the user’s assigned roles do not include the necessary authorizations, the system will prevent them from performing these actions and display the WSTI004 message.
  
  
  Common Authorization Objects Involved:
  
  M_MSEG_WMB – Goods Movement: Physical Inventory
  M_MSEG_WMB with activity values like Create (01), Change (02), Display (03), Post (06)
  M_INVENT – Inventory Management: Physical Inventory
  M_LIFNR – Vendor Master (if relevant)
  M_MATE_WRK – Material Master: Plant Data
  
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check User Authorizations:
  
  Use transaction SU53 immediately after the error occurs to see which authorization check failed.
  Alternatively, use transaction ST01 (Authorization Trace) to trace the authorization checks.
  
  
  
  Assign Correct Roles/Profiles:
  
  Identify the roles that contain the necessary authorization objects for physical inventory processing.
  Assign these roles to the user via transaction PFCG (Role Maintenance).
  Ensure the roles include the correct activity values (e.g., Create, Change, Post) for the relevant authorization objects.
  
  
  
  Verify Authorization Object Values:
  
  Check that the authorization objects are maintained with the correct plant, storage location, movement type, and other relevant fields matching the user’s scope of work.
  
  
  
  Test After Changes:
  
  After updating roles/authorizations, have the user log off and log back in.
  Retry the physical inventory processing to confirm the issue is resolved.
  
  
  
  
  Additional Information:
  
  Physical inventory processing transactions include MI01 (Create Physical Inventory Document), MI04 (Enter Inventory Count), MI07 (Post Inventory Differences).
  Authorization issues are common when users are newly assigned or when organizational changes occur.
  Always follow your company’s security policies when assigning authorizations to avoid giving excessive permissions.
  
  
  Summary:
  
  
  
  Aspect
  Details
  
  
  
  
  Error Message
  WSTI004 - You are not authorized to process physical inventories
  
  
  Cause
  Missing or insufficient authorizations for physical inventory processing
  
  
  Solution
  Assign correct roles/authorization objects with required activity values
  
  
  Key Transactions
  SU53, ST01, PFCG, MI01, MI04, MI07
  
  
  Authorization Objects
  M_MSEG_WMB, M_INVENT, M_MATE_WRK
  
  
  
  
  If you need help identifying the exact missing authorization, running SU53 right after the error is the best first step.