Troubleshooting Oracle ORA-1652 Error Code: Causes and Solutions

As a database administrator, you’ve likely encountered the ORA-1652 error code, which can be frustrating and time-consuming to resolve. The error occurs when the database cannot find a necessary resource or is unable to allocate memory, causing the process to terminate abruptly. In this article, we’ll delve into the process of identifying the problematic session and SQL statement behind the ORA-1652 error, empowering you with the knowledge to efficiently resolve this issue.

Understanding the ORA-1652 Error

ORA-1652 errors often manifest as a result of memory-related issues, which can stem from various factors such as inadequate memory allocation, excessive use of recursive SQL, or poorly optimized queries. It’s essential to recognize the symptoms of this error to initiate the troubleshooting process.

The ORA-1652 error can be triggered by several factors, including:

  • Insufficient memory allocated to the database
  • Excessive use of recursive SQL
  • Poorly optimized queries
  • Incorrect database configuration
  • Misuse of database resources



Identifying the Problematic Session

To identify the problematic session behind the ORA-1652 error, you’ll need to gather information about the database sessions. The following steps outline the process:

Firstly, you’ll need to query the V$SESSION dynamic performance view to obtain session information. This can be done using the following SQL statement:


SELECT sid, serial#, username, status, osuser, machine
FROM v$session
WHERE status = 'ACTIVE';

This SQL statement retrieves the session ID (SID), serial number, username, status, operating system user, and machine name for all active sessions. By analyzing this information, you can identify the session responsible for the ORA-1652 error.

Once you’ve identified the problematic session, you can proceed to gather more information about the session using the V$SESSTAT dynamic performance view. This view contains statistical information for each session, including the number of logical reads, physical reads, and recursive calls.


SELECT sid, serial#, value
FROM v$sesstat
WHERE sid = &sid AND name = 'recursive calls';

This SQL statement retrieves the number of recursive calls for the problematic session. By analyzing this information, you can determine if excessive recursive calls are contributing to the ORA-1652 error.

Identifying the SQL Statement Causing the Error

After identifying the problematic session, you’ll need to determine the SQL statement responsible for the ORA-1652 error. This can be done using the V$SQL dynamic performance view, which contains statistical information for each SQL statement executed by the database.

The following SQL statement retrieves the SQL text and execution statistics for the problematic session:


SELECT sql_text, executions, rows_processed, cpu_time
FROM v$sql
WHERE sid = &sid AND executions > 0;

This SQL statement retrieves the SQL text, number of executions, number of rows processed, and CPU time for the SQL statements executed by the problematic session. By analyzing this information, you can identify the SQL statement causing the ORA-1652 error.

Resolving the ORA-1652 Error

Once you’ve identified the problematic session and SQL statement, you can proceed to resolve the ORA-1652 error. The solution may involve:

  • Optimizing the SQL statement to reduce recursive calls
  • Increasing memory allocation to the database
  • Tuning database configuration parameters to improve performance
  • Closing unnecessary database sessions to free up resources

For more information on resolving the ORA-1652 error and optimizing database performance, refer to the Oracle Database Troubleshooting Guide.

Best Practices for Preventing ORA-1652 Errors

To prevent ORA-1652 errors from occurring in the future, it’s essential to follow best practices for database management and maintenance. Some best practices include:

  • Regularly monitoring database performance and adjusting configuration parameters as necessary
  • Optimizing SQL statements to reduce recursive calls and improve execution efficiency
  • Implementing database resource allocation policies to prevent excessive resource usage

If you’re experiencing recurring ORA-1652 errors or require assistance with database optimization and maintenance, consider consulting with a trusted database management services provider, such as PersonIT, to ensure your database is running at peak performance.

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