How To Fix WU218 - Prices cannot be activated -> Purchase / sales price not changed

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WU - Promotion management messages

• Message number: 218

• Message text: Prices cannot be activated -> Purchase / sales price not changed

What causes this issue?

The item in question has already been activated at least once
successfully. Further activation is only useful if either the
purchase price or sales price was changed.

System Response

Change the purchase price or sales price.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WU218 - Prices cannot be activated -> Purchase / sales price not changed ?

  The SAP error message WU218 ("Prices cannot be activated -> Purchase / sales price not changed") typically occurs when there is an attempt to activate a price change in the system, but the system detects that the purchase or sales price has not actually changed. This can happen in various scenarios, such as when trying to activate a new condition record for pricing in the SAP system.
  Cause:
  
  No Actual Change: The most common cause is that the price you are trying to activate is the same as the existing price in the system. SAP does not allow activation of a price that has not changed.
  Incorrect Data Entry: There may be an error in the data entry process, leading to the perception that a change has been made when it has not.
  Condition Records: The condition records for pricing may not have been updated correctly, or the changes may not have been saved properly.
  Authorization Issues: Sometimes, the user may not have the necessary authorizations to make changes to pricing conditions.
  
  Solution:
  
  Verify Price Changes: Check the condition records for the relevant material or service to ensure that the price has indeed changed. You can do this by navigating to the condition records in the relevant transaction (e.g., MEK1 for purchasing or VK11 for sales).
  Re-enter the Price: If the price appears to be the same, try re-entering the new price and ensure that it is different from the existing price before attempting to activate it again.
  Check for Updates: Ensure that any changes made to the pricing conditions have been saved properly. Sometimes, changes may not be saved due to session timeouts or other issues.
  Review Authorizations: Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to make changes to pricing conditions. If not, contact your SAP administrator to obtain the required permissions.
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or help files for more detailed information on the specific transaction you are using and the conditions under which this error may occur.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as MEK1 (Create Condition), MEK2 (Change Condition), MEK3 (Display Condition), VK11 (Create Sales Condition), VK12 (Change Sales Condition), and VK13 (Display Sales Condition).
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message. SAP Notes can provide additional insights or solutions that may not be covered in standard documentation.
  Support: If the issue persists after trying the above solutions, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting with an SAP expert for further assistance.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the WU218 error and successfully activate the desired price changes in your SAP system.