# Fix the "Not part of a Group" Error

In discussion forums, sometimes a student will get an error that says they cannot post because they are not part of a group. There are two ways to address this problem.

##### If the Discussion Forum **IS** Using Groups

- - Add the student to one of the groups being used in the discussion forum by following [these instructions](https://help.mlc-wels.edu/books/moodle-for-faculty/page/adding-or-removing-an-individual-student-from-a-pre-existing-group).

#####  

##### If the Discussion Forum is **NOT** Using Groups

- - Turn on editing in your course if it isn't already turned on.
    - Check the small blue icon next to the forum's edit button. Make sure that it's a solid blue person icon without a circle. This is the "No Groups" icon in the image below.
    - If it is a different icon, either the "Separate Groups" or "Visible Groups" icon in the image below, click the icon until it is a solid blue person.

[![Moodle-Groups.png](https://help.mlc-wels.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2019-09/scaled-1680-/Moodle-Groups.png)](https://help.mlc-wels.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2019-09/Moodle-Groups.png)