ActiveRecord::ReadOnlyRecord Ruby / Rails Origin: Application & API Last updated 5 Nov 2026

Rails: ActiveRecord::ReadOnlyRecord: Order is marked as readonly

You tried to save a record that was loaded as read-only (e.g. via joins in old Rails or readonly scope).

Exact message you may see ActiveRecord::ReadOnlyRecord: Order is marked as readonlyActiveRecord::ReadOnlyRecord (ActiveRecord::ReadOnlyRecord)readonly attribute updated ActiveRecord
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Seen on: Ruby

Meaning

Records loaded with readonly or .readonly(true) can't be saved. In Rails < 4 joins implied readonly; use includes/select. Check readonly?, attr_readonly, and self.readonly? overrides (e.g. database views). Reload the record via Order.find(id) for writes.

Common causes

  • .readonly scope applied
  • Model backed by a view with readonly? true
  • attr_readonly attribute updated
  • Records from joins/select custom queries
  • ReadOnlyRecord override

⚡ Quick fix

  1. Order.find(order.id).update!(...) to get a writable copy
  2. Remove .readonly or override readonly?
  3. Don't update attr_readonly columns

Detailed fix by platform

Rails

  1. order.readonly? # => true

How to diagnose

  1. Source — readonly scope?
  2. Model — View-backed?
  3. Column — attr_readonly?

🔧 Still not fixed?

Many errors look alike. If the steps above didn’t solve it, one of these is probably what you’re facing:

Where this error sits

Origin: Application & API. Errors that are often confused with or caused by this one (click to open):

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