Error
Error Code:
5160
SAP S/4HANA Error 5160: XML Parse Not Started
Description
This error indicates an internal system issue where SAP S/4HANA attempts to process an XML document progressively before the parsing process has been properly initialized. It commonly occurs during data exchange, report generation, or when interacting with XML-based configurations.
Error Message
ERR_TEXT_COMMON_XML_PARSE_DURING_NO_PARSE
Known Causes
3 known causesCorrupted XML Data Source
The XML file or data stream being processed by SAP S/4HANA is malformed, incomplete, or contains invalid characters, preventing the parser from starting correctly.
Premature Parsing Call
An application component or custom code attempts to resume an XML parsing operation before the initial parse process has been successfully started or prepared.
External Data Connectivity Loss
Intermittent network problems or a loss of connection to an external system providing XML data can result in an incomplete data stream, hindering proper parser initialization.
Solutions
3 solutions available1. Restart SAP Application Server Instances easy
A simple restart can resolve transient issues preventing XML parsing.
1
Log in to your SAP S/4HANA system using an administrator user.
2
Navigate to transaction `SM51` to view the available application server instances.
3
Select all active application server instances and choose 'Restart' from the menu or toolbar.
4
Monitor the restart process. Once all instances are back online, attempt the operation that triggered the error again.
2. Verify and Correct XML Data Integrity medium
Corrupted or malformed XML data is a common cause for parsing failures.
1
Identify the specific XML data or file that is causing the parsing error. This might be from an inbound interface, a configuration file, or data stored within SAP tables.
2
If the XML is accessible, use an XML validator tool (online or offline) to check for syntax errors, well-formedness, and schema compliance if applicable. Common errors include unclosed tags, incorrect character encoding, or invalid characters.
3
If the XML data is stored in SAP tables (e.g., `SOFFCONT1` for document content, or custom tables), you may need to retrieve it using ABAP or SQL and then validate it externally. For example, to check a specific document's content:
SELECT content FROM soffcont1 WHERE doc_id = 'YOUR_DOC_ID' INTO DATA(lv_xml_content).
* Then, use an external tool to validate lv_xml_content.4
Correct any identified errors in the XML data. This might involve manual editing, re-generating the XML from its source, or re-importing data.
5
After correcting the XML, re-attempt the operation that failed.
3. Analyze SAP System Logs for Deeper Issues medium
System logs provide detailed information about the root cause of XML parsing failures.
1
Log in to your SAP S/4HANA system.
2
Navigate to transaction `SM21` (System Log).
3
Filter the system log for entries related to error code 5160 or keywords like 'XML', 'parse', 'error', or the specific component/interface that is failing.
4
Examine the detailed messages associated with these log entries. They often provide more context, such as the specific XML processing function module that failed, the line number in the XML (if available), or underlying operating system errors.
5
If the error points to a specific SAP Note or a known issue, consult SAP Notes for a resolution. If the issue seems related to a specific interface or program, debug the relevant ABAP code.
6
Based on the log analysis, implement the identified solution (e.g., apply a patch, correct configuration, or update interface logic).