GIMP Version: 2.6.11
Operating System: Windows
OS Version: Windows 7
GIMP Experience: Beginner Level

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Hey guys, I'm trying to help out a guy on Deviantart, but frankly I have no clue what the issue could be here, any thoughts?

http://comments.deviantart.com/4/12771296/2211523486

I think he is stuck because he doesn't notice the copy operation created a "floating selection" (point him to his Layers dialog) and until this thing is anchored or made into a true layer, plenty of things are disabled.

as Ofnuts wrote:
instead then use Paste (CTRL V) he may use Paste as/new layer

AH! Good point guys. Thanks.

This can also happen if there is just a very teeny tiny small selection.Usually an accidental one.
To fix it select/all select / none.Because with very small selections sometimes they do not register in the select menu.
You can run around all day trying to figure this one out as the selection doesn't show on the image!
select/all select / none
That will clear it.