Error
Error Code:
19
SAP S/4HANA Error 19: Invalid License Detected
Description
This error indicates that the SAP S/4HANA system cannot validate its current license. It typically occurs during system startup or when attempting to access licensed functionalities, preventing normal operation due to a missing, expired, or incorrect license.
Error Message
ERR_INV_LICENSE
Known Causes
4 known causesExpired License
The installed SAP S/4HANA license has passed its expiration date, rendering it invalid for continued use.
Corrupted or Missing License File
The license file required for SAP S/4HANA operation is either damaged, unreadable, or not present in the expected system directory.
Hardware Key Mismatch
The system's current hardware key (or system ID) does not match the hardware key embedded in the installed license file, indicating a potential system change or incorrect license.
Incorrect License Type/Version
The installed license is not compatible with the specific SAP S/4HANA product version or installation type being used.
Solutions
3 solutions available1. Verify and Renew SAP License easy
The most common cause is an expired or invalid SAP license. This solution guides you through checking the current license status and initiating a renewal.
1
Log in to your SAP S/4HANA system with a user having SAP_ALL and SAP_NEW authorization.
2
Navigate to transaction code `SLICENSE`.
3
In the `SLICENSE` transaction, check the 'Valid Until' date for your system's license. If it's expired or the license key is marked as invalid, you need to renew it.
4
If the license is expired, contact your SAP account manager or SAP support to obtain a new license key.
5
Once you receive the new license key, go back to `SLICENSE`, select 'New Licenses', and then 'Install'. Paste the new license key into the provided field and save.
6
After installing the new license, restart the SAP system (all instances) for the changes to take effect.
2. Check System Hostname and SID Consistency medium
An inconsistency between the license key's registered hostname/SID and the actual system's hostname/SID can cause this error.
1
Determine the exact hostname and System ID (SID) of your SAP S/4HANA system. You can find this by checking the system's profile parameters or by looking at the system's startup logs.
hostname
sid=$(grep 'SAPSYSTEM' /usr/sap/<SID>/<INSTANCE>/work/smdaagent/smdaagent.params | cut -d'=' -f2)2
Log in to transaction `SLICENSE` (as described in Solution 1).
3
Carefully compare the hostname and SID displayed within `SLICENSE` (often visible in the license details or system information section) with the actual system's hostname and SID obtained in step 1.
4
If there is a mismatch, you will need to contact SAP support to obtain a new license key that correctly reflects your system's current hostname and SID.
5
Once the correct license key is obtained, install it via `SLICENSE` and restart the SAP system.
3. Investigate SAP Kernel and Patch Level Compatibility advanced
Outdated or incompatible SAP kernel versions or patch levels can sometimes lead to license detection issues.
1
Identify the current SAP kernel version and patch level. This can be done using transaction `SM51` or by checking the kernel files in the SAP system's executable directory (e.g., `/usr/sap/<SID>/<INSTANCE>/exe`).
ls -l /usr/sap/<SID>/<INSTANCE>/exe/sap* | grep 'run'2
Consult SAP Notes and documentation related to your specific SAP S/4HANA version and the kernel version you are using. Look for any known issues or recommendations regarding license compatibility with different kernel levels.
3
If your kernel is significantly outdated or known to have compatibility issues, plan for a kernel upgrade. This is a critical system maintenance activity and should be performed during a planned downtime window after thorough testing.
4
After upgrading the kernel, ensure that you have the latest applicable support packages (SPS) and that they are compatible with the new kernel. Apply any necessary SAP Notes related to licensing.
5
Install a valid SAP license (as per Solution 1) and restart all SAP instances.