Error
Error Code:
5163
SAP S/4HANA Error 5163: Language Directory Access
Description
This error indicates that SAP S/4HANA cannot access the language directory specified in its configuration settings. This typically occurs when the system attempts to load language-specific resources but encounters issues with the configured path or file system permissions, preventing proper localization.
Error Message
ERR_TEXT_COMMON_LANGUAGE_DIR_NOT_ACCESSIBLE
Known Causes
4 known causesIncorrect Configuration Path
The path to the language directory specified in SAP S/4HANA's configuration is either incorrect, misspelled, or points to a non-existent location.
Insufficient File Permissions
The SAP S/4HANA system user lacks the necessary read and execute permissions for the specified language directory on the file system.
Network or Share Unavailability
If the language directory is located on a network share or remote server, it might be inaccessible due to network connectivity issues or the share being offline.
Missing Language Directory
The physical language directory itself might be missing or corrupted on the server where SAP S/4HANA is installed.
Solutions
3 solutions available1. Verify SAP System Language Settings easy
Ensures the SAP system's language configuration is correctly set and accessible.
1
Log in to your SAP S/4HANA system using SAP GUI with an administrator user.
2
Navigate to transaction code `SCC4` (Client Administration).
3
Select the client where the error is occurring and click 'Display'.
4
Verify the 'Language' field. It should be set to a valid and installed language (e.g., 'EN' for English).
5
If the language is incorrect or missing, you may need to install it using transaction `SMLT` (Language Management) and then update the client setting in `SCC4`.
6
Check transaction code `OY01` (System Settings) for the default system language and ensure it aligns with your client settings.
2. Check Operating System File Permissions for Language Files medium
Confirms that the SAP system has read access to the language-specific files on the operating system level.
1
Identify the SAP S/4HANA server where the error is occurring.
2
Determine the SAP system's installation directory. This is typically `<sapmnt>/<SIDs>/<InstanceName>`.
3
Navigate to the directory containing the language files. These are usually located under `<SAP_DATA>/lib/lang` or similar paths depending on your SAP installation.
4
On Linux/Unix systems, use the `ls -l` command to check permissions for language-related files (e.g., `.lmd` files). Ensure the SAP system user (e.g., `<sidadm>`) has read and execute permissions.
ls -l /path/to/sap/data/lib/lang/5
On Windows systems, navigate to the directory using File Explorer, right-click on the relevant files/folders, select 'Properties', then 'Security' tab, and verify that the SAP service account or `<sidadm>` user has read access.
6
If permissions are incorrect, use `chmod` (Linux/Unix) or adjust permissions via the Security tab (Windows) to grant the SAP system user the necessary access.
sudo chmod +r /path/to/sap/data/lib/lang/*7
After adjusting permissions, restart the SAP application servers to ensure changes are applied.
3. Restart SAP Application Servers and Database Instance easy
A common troubleshooting step that can resolve transient issues with language directory access.
1
Log in to the SAP S/4HANA server with the `<sidadm>` user.
2
Stop all SAP application servers gracefully using the `stopsap` command.
stopsap3
Once all application servers are stopped, stop the SAP database instance. The command varies based on your database (e.g., `sapcontrol -nr <InstanceNumber> -function StopDatabase`, `db2stop` for DB2, etc.).
sapcontrol -nr <InstanceNumber> -function StopDatabase4
Wait for the database to fully shut down.
5
Start the SAP database instance.
sapcontrol -nr <InstanceNumber> -function StartDatabase6
Start all SAP application servers using the `startsap` command.
startsap7
Monitor the SAP system startup process and check for any new errors.