Error
Error Code:
20
SAP S/4HANA Error 20: User Account Validity Expired
Description
This error occurs when a user attempts to connect to SAP S/4HANA, but their user account's validity period has expired. The system prevents access because the account is no longer authorized for login, often due to predefined access limits or administrative settings.
Error Message
ERR_CON_OUTSIDE_VALIDITY_PERIOD
Known Causes
4 known causesUser Account Expiration
The most common cause, where the user's 'Valid To' date, set during account creation or last update, has passed.
Incorrect Validity Dates Configured
An administrator might have accidentally set an incorrect 'Valid From' or 'Valid To' date for the user account.
Temporary Access Period Ended
The user was granted temporary access, and that defined period has now elapsed, automatically revoking login privileges.
System Time Discrepancy
A mismatch between the SAP S/4HANA server's time and the user's local system or expected time zone can cause premature expiration detection.
Solutions
4 solutions available1. Extend User Validity Period in SU01 easy
Adjust the validity dates for the affected user account directly within SAP.
1
Log in to your SAP S/4HANA system with a user having sufficient authorization (e.g., SAP_ALL or a role with transaction SU01 access).
2
Execute transaction code SU01.
SU013
Enter the username of the affected user in the 'User' field and click the 'Change' button.
4
Navigate to the 'Logon Data' tab.
5
In the 'Validity period' section, adjust the 'From' and 'To' dates to extend the user's access. Ensure the 'To' date is in the future.
6
Save the changes by clicking the 'Save' button.
2. Reset User Password and Extend Validity easy
When a user's validity period is about to expire or has just expired, resetting their password can also prompt a review of their validity.
1
Log in to your SAP S/4HANA system using transaction SU01.
SU012
Enter the username and click the 'Change' button.
3
Go to the 'Logon Data' tab.
4
Check the 'Validity period' and ensure the 'To' date is set appropriately. If necessary, extend it.
5
In the 'Password' section, click the 'Reset' button. You can choose to set a new password or force the user to change it on their next login.
6
Save the changes.
3. Automated User Validity Check and Notification (Custom Report) advanced
Implement a custom SAP report to proactively identify users with expiring or expired accounts.
1
Develop an ABAP report that queries the `USR02` table for user validity information.
SELECT BNAME FROM USR02 INTO TABLE lt_users WHERE USTYP <> 'B' AND DATU1 < sy-datum.2
The report should identify users where `DATU1` (validity end date) is in the past or approaching a defined threshold (e.g., within 30 days).
SELECT BNAME FROM USR02 INTO TABLE lt_users WHERE USTYP <> 'B' AND DATU1 BETWEEN sy-datum AND sy-datum + 30.3
Configure the report to send email notifications to the relevant IT support team or user managers when expired or soon-to-expire accounts are found.
4
Schedule this report to run regularly (e.g., daily) using transaction code SM36 (Job Scheduling).
4. System-Wide User Validity Review and Policy Enforcement advanced
Conduct a comprehensive review of user account validity policies and enforce them across the S/4HANA landscape.
1
Define or review your organization's user account lifecycle management policy, including standard validity periods for different user types (e.g., employees, contractors, system users).
2
Utilize SAP's standard reports or custom developed reports (as described in Solution 3) to identify all user accounts with expired or soon-to-expire validity periods.
3
Work with HR and business unit managers to validate the necessity of continued access for users whose accounts are nearing or have passed their expiration.
4
Implement a process for regular review and extension or deactivation of user accounts based on the defined policy. This might involve automation or manual review workflows.
5
Consider implementing security best practices like automatic account locking or deactivation upon employee departure, which would also implicitly manage validity.