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Common Errors

Students may experience errors when completing registration that prevent the student from adding a specific course or section of a course.

In the registration menu, an error message may appear when attempting to add a course. An error icon will appear with text explaining why the error occurred.  

Review the table below to learn more about each type of error, what it means, and how it can be resolved.

Errors are listed in alphabetical order by message

Error Message and Explanation

Action to Correct Error

Administrative Staff are reviewing your registration records at this time. Please try again later: You may have more than one active registration session open in another website tab or window.

The registration system only allows one active registration session at a time. Close out of any additional registration windows.

Closed Section: The course has reached the enrollment limit

Select another course or a different section of the same course.

Closed Section (for an independent study, field study, or undergraduate research): Students are required to obtain approval for this type of course and cannot add themselves.

Speak with your Academic Advisor about your plans for experiential learning and to fill out a request form.
Concurrent registration with XXXX required: the course has a co-requisite Co-requisites for undergraduate students are not currently enforced. This error will not prevent registration. However, it is recommended that you take the listed course prior to or during the enrollment of the course you are attempting to add. Talk to your Academic Advisor.

CRN: XXXXXX does not exist: The CRN entered is not recognized

Check the CRN you entered is correct.

CRN: XXXXXX is not valid for the term: The CRN entered is designated for a different term

Be sure to use CRNs for appropriate term. Note: Fall CRNs start with 8 or 9, Winter 4, Spring 1 or 2, Summer 6 or 7.

Duplicate Course: You have already registered for this course/section

Drop the course from your schedule. If you would like to add a different section of the same course, perform a Swap.

If you are attempting to re-add a course previously dropped, you will not be able to perform a class Swap. Instead, follow directions to add a course.
Registration status code not valid for registration date: the course registration period is not open Check enrollment dates for Course Request and Add/drop periods

Time Conflict: The course overlaps with another course already on your schedule

Choose courses that do not overlap

Total Credit Hours cannot exceed Maximum Credit Hours: You have reached the maximum credit hours allowable

You may request an overload approval by your college if you plan to enroll in courses past the maximum.

You have holds which prevent registration: Explanation/details of the holds on a student’s account that block registration.

Hold must be resolved with the respective office. 
You have taken this course: you have previously completed this course. Most courses are not repeatable but some courses can be repeated for additional credit. This is a registration note for your reference, not an error. Check with your Academic Advisor to determine if you can repeat the course for credit.

Course Restrictions (may start with “Invalid” or “Field of Study”): More than one of the following restrictions may exist on a course

Review restrictions in Class Details. Choose a section/course without restrictions

Attributes: The course is only available to students with a special attribute, such as University Honors (students in the honor’s program)

Review restrictions in Class Details. Choose a section/course without restrictions

Campus: The course is only available to students enrolled at one of Virginia Tech’s nine campuses

Review restrictions in Class Details. Choose a section/course without restrictions

Class: The course is restricted by class level: freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior

Review restrictions in Class Details. Choose a section/course without restrictions

College: The course is restricted by the student’s primary college

Review restrictions in Class Details. Choose a section/course without restrictions

Degree: The course is restricted by the student’s primary degree

Review restrictions in Class Details. Choose a section/course without restrictions

GPA: The course requires a specific GPA threshold

Review restrictions in Class Details. Choose a section/course without restrictions

Hours: The course requires the student to have completed a specific credit threshold calculated based on earned hours.

Review restrictions in Class Details. Choose a section/course without restrictions

Level: The course is only available to students in a specific enrollment level: undergraduate or graduate

Review restrictions in Class Details. Choose a section/course without restrictions

Major: The course is restricted by the student’s primary or secondary major

Review restrictions in Class Details. Choose a section/course without restrictions

Minor: The course is restricted by the student’s minor

Review restrictions in Class Details. Choose a section/course without restrictions

Prerequisite/Test Score: Your academic record does not reflect completion or enrollment of the listed prerequisite

Select a different course. If you took the prerequisite at another institution, review your transfer credit on your DARs and speak with your assigned Advisor about options.
Prerequisite in Progress: you are currently enrolled in a course that is a prerequisite for this course This is a registration note for your reference, not an error. You must successfully complete the prerequisite to maintain enrollment in the course you are attempting to add.