S713: Unexpired data set on the volume

What it means

A data set can carry an expiration date, set with EXPDT or RETPD in the JCL or by the tape management system. Until that date passes, the system protects the data set from being written over. When a program opens such a data set for output, the system asks the operator with message IEC507D whether to go ahead. If the operator refuses by replying M, or an exit rejects the volume, OPEN issues IEC148I and ends the step with system completion code 713.

The return codes are these.

• 713-04 is the common one. A tape data set was opened for output (OUTPUT, OUTIN, INOUT, OUTINX or EXTEND) on a specific volume, and that volume holds an unexpired data set. The operator replied M to IEC507D.
• 713-08 means a disk data set with DISP=OLD was opened INOUT before its expiration date, and the operator replied M. It also appears when the device shows a volume serial of 000000, which is a system problem.
• 713-0C means the operator refused a rewrite of the tape's VOL1 label at message IEC704A, or that message had to be issued ten times because of bad replies or I/O errors.
• 713-10 means a tape on a cartridge stack loader was file protected and the operator replied U to IEC510D.
• 713-14 covers private tapes in an automated tape library. The operator asked for another volume, or the volume held an unexpired data set and the operator or the tape installation exit rejected it.

Common causes

• The JCL asks for a specific tape with VOL=SER for output, and that tape still holds a data set that hasn't expired (713-04). A volume serial copied from an old job is the usual reason.
• The tape management system still shows the volume as in use, so it isn't really scratch even though someone expected it to be.
• A program opened an existing disk data set INOUT with DISP=OLD before its expiration date (713-08).
• In an automated tape library, a private volume was requested and the operator or the installation exit turned it down (713-14).

How to find the problem

1. Find IEC148I in the job log. It has the form IEC148I 713-rc,mod,jobname,stepname,ddname,dev,volser,dsname. The volume serial and data set name tell you what was protected.
2. Look in the system log (SDSF LOG) for the IEC507D message and its reply around the time of the abend. It shows who or what refused the overwrite.
3. Check the volume in your tape management system (DFSMSrmm, CA 1 or similar) to see what's on it, who owns it and when it expires.
4. Check the output DD statement for VOL=SER. A specific volume on an output DD is usually where the problem starts.

How to fix it

• Let the system pick a scratch tape. Remove VOL=SER from the output DD so the request is nonspecific.
• If the old data really isn't needed, have its owner or the storage team expire it through the tape management system, then rerun.
• Don't make a habit of asking the operator to reply U to IEC507D. The expiration date is there to protect someone's data.
• For 713-08 on disk, wait until the expiration date passes, or have the data set's owner agree to change it before you open the data set for update.
• If IEC148I shows volume serial 000000, pass it to your system programmer.

What it looks like

IEC148I 713-04,IFG0194A,PAYRUN01,STEP040,TAPEOUT,0B41,PR4417,PROD.PAYROLL.ARCHIVE
IEA995I SYMPTOM DUMP OUTPUT
  SYSTEM COMPLETION CODE=713  REASON CODE=00000004
IEF450I PAYRUN01 STEP040 - ABEND=S713 U0000 REASON=00000004

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.