The Row Cache or Data Dictionary Cache is a memory area in the shared pool that holds data dictionary information to reduce physical I/O on the data dictionary tables. The row cache lock is used primarily to serialize changes to the data dictionary and is waited on when a lock on a data dictionary cache is required. Waits on this event usually indicate some form of DDL occurring, or possibly recursive operations such as storage management and incrementing sequence numbers.

Use below query to find which cache (cache id) is being waited for:-

SQL> select p1text,p1,p2text,p2,p3text,p3 from v$session where event='row cache lock';

P1TEXT P1 P2TEXT P2 P3TEXT P3

cache id 8 mode 0 request 3

SQL> select parameter,count,gets,getmisses,modifications from v$rowcache where cache#=8;

PARAMETER COUNT GETS GETMISSES MODIFICATIONS

DC_SEQUENCES    869    76843 508432   4500<span 				data-mce-type="bookmark" 				id="mce_SELREST_start" 				data-mce-style="overflow:hidden;line-height:0" 				style="overflow:hidden;line-height:0" 			></span><span

Then depending upon the cache initialization parameter, proceed accordingly:-

DC_SEQUENCES
For DC_SEQUENCES, consider caching sequences using the cache option.

DC_OBJECTS
Look for any object compilation activity which might require an exclusive lock, blocking other activities.

DC_SEGMENTS
Contention here is most likely to be due to segment allocation. Investigate what segments are being created at the time.

DC_USERS
This may occur if a session issues a GRANT to a user and that user is in the process of logging on to the database. Investigate why grants are being made while the users are active.

DC_TABLESPACES
The most likely cause is the allocation of new extents. If extent sizes are set low then the application may constantly be requesting new extents and causing contention.