Record Type Selection Unavailable When Creating or Editing Salesforce Records

When a user cannot select a record type in Salesforce, the cause is usually one of three configuration issues: the profile has only one record type assigned (causing auto-selection), the user's personal settings have a default record type set, or the New button is overridden by a custom Visualforce page or Lightning component. Work through each cause below in order until the issue is resolved.

Cause 1: Only One Record Type Assigned to the Profile

If only one record type is assigned to the user's profile, Salesforce automatically selects it without prompting — making it appear as if selection is unavailable. Check whether more than one record type is assigned.

In Salesforce Classic

1. Go to Setup | Manage Users | Profiles.
2. Select the affected profile.
3. Go to Object Settings.
4. Click on the object name for which you can't select a record type.
5. Check if there is more than one record type added to the profile. If not, add an existing record type or create one as needed.

In Lightning Experience

1. Go to Setup | Users | Profiles.
2. Select the affected profile.
3. Go to Object Settings.
4. Click on the object name for which you can't select a record type.
5. Check if there is more than one record type added to the profile. If not, add an existing record type or create one as needed.

Note: To view Object Settings, the Enhanced Profile User Interface must be enabled. See Enable the Enhanced Profile User Interface.

Cause 2: Default Record Type Set in Personal Settings

If a default record type is configured in the user's personal settings, Salesforce will automatically apply it without prompting the user to select. Clear the default to restore the record type selection prompt.

In Salesforce Classic

1. Click your name | My Settings | Display & Layout | Set Default Record Types.
2. Deselect the checkbox beside the object for which you can't select a record type.
3. Click Save.

In Lightning Experience

1. Click your avatar | Settings | Display & Layout | Set Default Record Types.
2. Deselect the checkbox beside the object for which you can't select a record type.
3. Click Save.

Note: Check the appropriate box if you would like the default Record Type selected automatically when creating a new record. Leave the box unchecked if you would like to be prompted to select a Record Type when creating a new record.

Cause 3: New Button Overridden by a Visualforce Page or Lightning Component

If the New button on the object has been overridden with a custom Visualforce page or Lightning component, it may bypass the standard record type selection step entirely. Check the button override settings for the affected object.

In Salesforce Classic

1. Go to Setup | Create | Objects.
2. Click on the affected object's name.
3. Click Buttons, Links, and Actions.
4. Click Edit beside New.
5. For Salesforce Classic Override, the value should be No override (use default).
6. For Lightning Experience Override, the value should be Use the Salesforce Classic override.

In Lightning Experience

1. Go to Setup | Object Manager | <object name>.
2. Click Buttons, Links, and Actions.
3. Click Edit beside New.
4. For Salesforce Classic Override, the value should be No override (use default).
5. For Lightning Experience Override, the value should be Use the Salesforce Classic override.

Note: If the New button is overridden with a Visualforce page or Lightning component, change it to the values above in the meantime and coordinate with your Developer. It's possible that there are hard-coded values that limit user selection in record types.