Error
Error Code:
5431
SAP S/4HANA Error 5431: Unsupported Text Encoding
Description
This error, ERR_TEXT_FCA_UNSUPPORTED_ENCODING, indicates that SAP S/4HANA has encountered text data encoded in a format it does not recognize or support. It typically occurs during data import operations, integration with external systems, or when processing user input that contains non-standard characters.
Error Message
The requested encoding is unsupported.
Known Causes
4 known causesExternal Data Encoding Mismatch
Data imported from external files, databases, or third-party systems uses a character encoding that is not compatible with or supported by SAP S/4HANA's configuration.
Incorrect System Character Set Configuration
The SAP S/4HANA system's character set settings or the relevant application server locale are not correctly configured to handle the incoming text encoding.
Invalid Manual Data Entry
Users have manually entered special characters, symbols, or text from a different language that are not supported by the configured encoding for the specific input field.
Legacy System Integration
Integration with older or legacy systems that transmit data using outdated, non-standard, or region-specific text encodings not recognized by modern SAP S/4HANA installations.
Solutions
3 solutions available1. Verify and Set SAP S/4HANA System's Default Character Set medium
Ensures the S/4HANA system is configured to support the required character encoding.
1
Log in to your SAP S/4HANA system using SAP GUI with administrator privileges.
2
Execute transaction code `RZ10` (Profile Maintenance).
3
Select the instance profile (e.g., `DEFAULT.PFL` or the specific instance profile for your S/4HANA server) and click 'Display'. If the profile is not active, choose 'Copy from current' to load the active profile.
4
In the 'Extended Maintenance' mode, search for the parameter `zcsa/installed_languages`. Ensure it lists the languages and their corresponding character sets that are installed on the system. For example, `EN,1` for English with Latin-1. This parameter dictates the installed character sets.
5
Search for the parameter `zcsa/system_encoding`. This parameter defines the default character set for the SAP kernel. Ensure it is set to a value that supports the encoding causing the error. Common values include `1` (ISO-8859-1), `2` (DEC multinational), `3` (ISO-8859-2), `4` (ISO-8859-3), `5` (ISO-8859-4), `6` (ISO-8859-5), `7` (ISO-8859-6), `8` (ISO-8859-7), `9` (ISO-8859-8), `10` (ISO-8859-9), `11` (ISO-8859-10), `13` (ISO-8859-13), `14` (ISO-8859-14), `15` (ISO-8859-15), `16` (ISO-8859-16), `20` (UTF-8).
6
If `zcsa/system_encoding` is not set to a suitable value (e.g., `20` for UTF-8 if dealing with international characters), change it. **Note:** Changing this parameter requires a system restart. Consult SAP Notes for specific recommendations based on your S/4HANA version and installed languages.
7
Save the changes to the profile and activate it. A system restart is mandatory for these changes to take effect.
8
After the restart, test the functionality that was previously failing.
2. Check Database Character Set Configuration medium
Verifies the underlying database (HANA) character set aligns with SAP S/4HANA requirements.
1
Connect to your SAP HANA database using SAP HANA Studio or a SQL client.
2
Execute the following SQL query to check the database's default character set:
3
SELECT * FROM "SYS"."EFFECTIVE_VALID_CODEPAGES";4
Analyze the output. Look for the `CODEPAGE` that is set as the `DEFAULT_CODEPAGE`. Ensure this default codepage is compatible with the character encoding being used by the S/4HANA application and its data.
5
For SAP S/4HANA, UTF-8 is generally recommended for broad character support. If the default codepage is not UTF-8 (e.g., `1100` for Latin-1), and you are encountering issues with non-Latin characters, consider migrating the database to UTF-8. **Note:** Database character set migration is a complex and time-consuming operation that requires careful planning, extensive testing, and potentially downtime. Consult SAP Notes and SAP Support for guidance before proceeding.
6
If a change is deemed necessary and planned, follow SAP's official documentation for migrating the SAP HANA database character set. This typically involves a database backup, reinitialization, and data import.
3. Review Application-Specific Encoding Settings medium
Investigates if the error originates from a specific application or interface configuration.
1
Identify the specific transaction, program, or interface that triggers error 5431. This is crucial for pinpointing the source of the encoding issue.
2
For custom ABAP programs, review the source code for any explicit character set conversions or data handling that might be using an unsupported encoding. Look for functions like `CONVERT_TEXT` or explicit code related to character set manipulation.
3
For standard SAP transactions or reports, check SAP Notes related to the specific transaction or functional area. SAP often releases corrections for encoding issues in standard software.
4
If the error occurs during data exchange with external systems (e.g., via IDocs, RFC, or OData services), examine the configuration of these interfaces. Ensure that the encoding specified in the interface partner profiles or service definitions matches the encoding expected by the external system and supported by S/4HANA.
5
For interfaces, verify the `CHARACTER SET` parameter in the RFC destination (SM59) or the encoding settings in the partner profile (WE20) for IDocs. Ensure they are set to a compatible encoding, such as UTF-8.
6
If the error occurs when displaying or processing specific master data (e.g., materials, vendors, customers), check the language settings and text fields for that data. Ensure the data was created with a supported character set.