S137: Tape end-of-volume error

What it means

End-of-volume (EOV) processing runs when a tape data set reaches the end of a volume and must go on to the next one, or when the system reaches the end of the data on a volume. On output, EOV writes trailer labels and a tape mark, then handles the next volume and its labels. On input, it reads the trailer labels and positions the next volume. When any of these steps fails, DFSMSdfp ends the task with system completion code 137, unless a DCB ABEND exit chooses to ignore the error.

Message IEC022I gives the job, step, DD name, device, volume serial and data set name, and a return code. On output it can also report a number of lost blocks. Those are blocks the drive accepted into its buffer but never wrote to the tape. The return codes fall into three groups.

• I/O errors while writing a trailer label or tape mark (04), positioning for label processing or to the end of the data set (08, 10), reading trailer or header labels (0C, 14), positioning to the first record (18), or reading a block ID (38).
• Label content problems. The trailer label (1C) or header label (20) read during EOV was incorrect, the volume has an ISO/ANSI label version the system doesn't support (2C), or a label validation exit rejected the volume (30).
• Volume selection problems. A second or later output volume holds a data set that hasn't expired and the operator didn't reply U to let it be overwritten (24), the operator replied M to the IEC704A labeling request or it had to be asked too many times (28), or a private volume in an automated tape library was rejected (3C).

Common causes

• A worn or damaged tape, or a drive that needs cleaning or repair. These show up as the I/O return codes.
• A volume with wrong or damaged labels, for example a tape that was written by another system or partly overwritten.
• A second or later output volume that still holds a data set whose expiration date hasn't passed.
• A volume whose labels don't meet the standard the system expects, such as an unsupported ISO/ANSI label version.
• An operator reply that rejected the volume, or a tape management or validation exit that refused it.

How to find the problem

1. Find IEC022I in the job log or the system log. Note the return code after 137-, the device number, the volume serial and the data set name.
2. For I/O return codes, look in the system log for I/O error messages on the same device at the same time, and check whether other jobs had errors on that drive or volume.
3. For label return codes, print the labels of the volume with a tape utility to see what is really there. For return code 30, message IEC512I names the label field in error.
4. Check your tape management system for the volume's status, expiration date and history.

How to fix it

• For I/O errors, try another tape first (a new scratch request gets one), and if the error follows you, change the UNIT parameter to get a different drive.
• For an unexpired data set on a requested volume (24), name a different volume, or have the operator reply U if overwriting it is really intended.
• For an unsupported ISO/ANSI label version (2C), relabel the volume with IEHINITT before using it again.
• For label content errors, examine the volume and correct or relabel it before trying to read the data again.
• If the problem recurs on good volumes and drives, collect the job output and contact IBM or the tape vendor.

Technical reviewer: Albert Joseph, WND Software.

Last reviewed 2026-10-18 by the WND Software team. Written in our own words. For the full reference, check IBM’s z/OS documentation for your release.