Informix Error -32500: User does not have discrete privilege to change session levels.

Cause and resolution

User does not have discrete privilege to change session levels.

You must obtain the PRIV_CANSETLEVEL discrete privilege from the DBSSO before the start of a session in which you use the SET SESSION LEVEL statement.

Oninit® Troubleshooting Guidance

Reasons / Common Causes

-32500 fires when a session without the PRIV_CANSETLEVEL discrete privilege attempts SET SESSION LEVEL — per the official guidance.

The session lacks PRIV_CANSETLEVEL, per the official guidance — the direct, only cause; this discrete privilege must be obtained from the DBSSO before the session starts.

Solutions / Resolution

Obtain PRIV_CANSETLEVEL from the DBSSO before the session begins, per the official guidance — discrete privileges can't be granted mid-session.

Examples

N/A

No specific triggering statement is documented beyond a missing PRIV_CANSETLEVEL privilege.

Diagnostic Checks

Confirm whether the session was started with PRIV_CANSETLEVEL, and request it from the DBSSO for future sessions if missing.

Related Errors / Related Topics

-32501 — "Login session level not dominating the new session level." A related SET SESSION LEVEL restriction, on level dominance rather than a missing privilege.
-32502 — "New session level not dominating the database level." A related session-level restriction, specific to the target database's own level.

The session lacked the PRIV_CANSETLEVEL discrete privilege for SET SESSION LEVEL — obtain it from the DBSSO before the session starts.