ORA-01996 & ORA-01994

ORA-01996 & ORA-01994

This error occurred when password file “entries” value is reached to maximum size.

First understand what “ENTRIES” parameter is.
Entries parameter is use for specify numeric value multiple of four.
We can assign any value but it is always use multiple of four.
Like 4,8,12 so on

Password files use for SYSDBA password. And ENTRIES clause use for HOW many database users can connect with SYSDBA privilege or how many times we can grant SYSDBA privilege to any database user.

SQL> grant sysdba to md;
grant sysdba to md
*
ERROR at line 1:
ORA-01996: GRANT failed: password file
'D:\oracle\product\10.1.0\Db_1\DATABASE\PWDorcl.ORA' is full

We will get above error message when REMOTE_LOGIN_PASSWORDFILE=exclusive is set.

SQL> grant sysdba to md;
grant sysdba to md
*
ERROR at line 1:
ORA-01994: GRANT failed: cannot add users to public password file

We will get above error message when REMOTE_LOGIN_PASSWORDFILE=shared is set.

Solution:
1. Recreate PASSWORD FILE with MAXIMUM ENTRIES=N VALUE.
2. Restart Oracle Service After recreate PWD file.