Error
Error Code:
331
SAP S/4HANA Error 331: User Name Already Exists
Description
This error indicates an attempt to create a new user account using a username that is already registered within the SAP S/4HANA system or its underlying database. It typically occurs during user provisioning, system configuration, or integration activities when a unique identifier constraint is violated.
Error Message
User name already exists
Known Causes
3 known causesManual Duplicate Entry
An administrator or user manually attempted to create a new user account using a username that is already assigned to an existing user in SAP S/4HANA.
Automated System Conflict
An automated user provisioning tool, script, or integration process tried to create a user with a name that already exists in the SAP S/4HANA user directory.
Data Inconsistency
A discrepancy between the application-level user registry and the underlying database led to a conflict when attempting to add a new user, even if the user isn't immediately visible.
Solutions
3 solutions available1. Verify and Select an Alternative User Name easy
Check for existing users and choose a unique name.
1
Access the SAP Fiori Launchpad or SAP GUI. Navigate to the User Management transaction (e.g., SU01 in SAP GUI).
2
In the User field, try entering the desired user name and press Enter or click the Display button. If the user exists, you will see their details.
3
If the user name already exists, select a different, unique user name for the new user. Consider adding a distinguishing suffix or prefix.
4
Proceed with the user creation process using the new, unique user name.
2. Check for Deleted Users with Reusable Names medium
Identify and potentially reuse a user name from a deleted account.
1
Access the SAP Fiori Launchpad or SAP GUI. Navigate to the User Management transaction (e.g., SU01 in SAP GUI).
2
In SU01, enter the user name that you are trying to create. Click the 'Display' button.
3
If the user name is not found, but you are still getting the 'User name already exists' error, it's possible the user name was previously used and deleted, but the name might be flagged for potential reuse in a way that's causing this conflict. This is less common for direct creation but can happen in specific scenarios or with custom developments.
4
If you suspect this scenario, and the user name is indeed not displayed as active, you may need to consult with your SAP Basis team. They might need to investigate the underlying user master data tables (e.g., AGR_USERS, USR02) to see if there are any residual entries or flags preventing the reuse of the name. In rare cases, a specific system cleanup or re-indexing might be required, which is an advanced task.
3. Investigate System Logs for Underlying Causes advanced
Examine system logs for more detailed error information.
1
Access the SAP system using SAP GUI. Navigate to transaction SM21 (System Log).
2
Filter the system log by the time frame when the error occurred and potentially by the user ID or program that initiated the user creation process. Look for entries related to user management or authorization.
3
If the error originated from an RFC call or a background job, check the corresponding logs for those processes (e.g., SM59 for RFC destinations, SM37 for background jobs).
4
Analyze the log entries for any additional error messages or specific details that might pinpoint the exact cause of the conflict. This could involve checking for duplicate entries in underlying tables that are not immediately apparent through standard transactions.
5
If you find specific technical details or table names in the logs, you might need to perform direct database checks using SQL. For example, to check the USR02 table (which stores user master data), you could run:
SELECT BNAME FROM USR02 WHERE BNAME = 'YOUR_USER_NAME';6
If the SQL query returns a result, it confirms the user name exists. If it doesn't return a result, the issue is likely more complex and may require SAP support.