When approving AP transactions or GL Transactions and this error displays:

KVS-00016: ORA-29278: SMTP transient error 421

Service not available

ORA-06512: at ?SYS.UTL_SMTP?, line 54

ORA-06512: at ?SYS.UTL_SMTP?, line 138

ORA-06512: at ?SYS.UTL_SMTP?, line 699

ORA-06512: at

This indicates there is an issue with the email server. During the approving process, it tries to send an email based on the Approval Workflow setup. If you have been using the email option and this error has just started, check with your IT if there are any changes on the email server.

To temporarily disable the AP email option in order to continue approving transactions (as well as Requisition Release and PO Receiving):

Go to Purchasing>Setup>Purchasing Profile>Parameter>Others and set Approval Email=No

Once the email server is working, go back and set Approval Email=Yes

To temporarily disable the GL email option in order to continue approving transactions:

Go to General Ledger>Setup>General Ledger Profile>Parameter>Others and set Approval Email=No

Once the email server is working, go back and set Approval Email=Yes