# Unable to perform save operation on custom relation (Material Defect and Protocol Instance) **URL:** \ **Category:** Extensibility\ **Created:** [September 14, 2026, 9:10am UTC](https://community.criticalmanufacturing.com/t/unable-to-perform-save-operation-on-custom-relation-material-defect-and-protocol-instance/851 "2026-09-14T09:10:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Danial\_CMF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f14d63/32.png) [@Danial\_CMF](https://community.criticalmanufacturing.com/u/Danial_CMF)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2026, 9:10am UTC](https://community.criticalmanufacturing.com/t/unable-to-perform-save-operation-on-custom-relation-material-defect-and-protocol-instance/851/1 "2026-09-14T09:10:24Z")
Hello, I have a custom relation with Source Entity = Material Defect and Target Entity = Protocol Instance When I try to manually add / remove the custom relation from the Protocol Instance \> References page, the system prompt me “Invalid operation Save on Protocol Instance” What I have tried is changing the RelationLock from LockSource to LockNone but its still not working. Anyone have encounter this before? ---
**Author:** ![Leonor\_Marques](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex050/user_avatar/community.criticalmanufacturing.com/leonor_marques/32/1074_2.png) [@Leonor\_Marques](https://community.criticalmanufacturing.com/u/Leonor_Marques)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2026, 9:44am UTC](https://community.criticalmanufacturing.com/t/unable-to-perform-save-operation-on-custom-relation-material-defect-and-protocol-instance/851/2 "2026-09-14T09:44:58Z")
Hi Danial, I am not sure what version you used but I used a v11.3 and got the same error as you. As far as I know, the only relation that should be protected from being managed directly in protocol instance is the materialprotocol, since that relation has other business logic involved… I would suggest you to open a ticket in [Customer Portal](https://portal.criticalmanufacturing.com/Support/Tickets) ---
**Author:** ![Leonor\_Marques](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex050/user_avatar/community.criticalmanufacturing.com/leonor_marques/32/1074_2.png) [@Leonor\_Marques](https://community.criticalmanufacturing.com/u/Leonor_Marques)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2026, 11:19am UTC](https://community.criticalmanufacturing.com/t/unable-to-perform-save-operation-on-custom-relation-material-defect-and-protocol-instance/851/3 "2026-09-14T11:19:04Z")
Hi again, After checking I realized there is already an open [ticket](https://portal.criticalmanufacturing.com/Entity/Ticket/2502240000000000006) regarding this situation. ---
**Author:** ![Danial\_CMF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f14d63/32.png) [@Danial\_CMF](https://community.criticalmanufacturing.com/u/Danial_CMF)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2026, 8:41am UTC](https://community.criticalmanufacturing.com/t/unable-to-perform-save-operation-on-custom-relation-material-defect-and-protocol-instance/851/4 "2026-09-15T08:41:37Z")
@Leonor_Marques Sorry for not giving enough context and yes I’m using version 11.3.4. I see there is already a ticket open for this situation. I will let my team know and we will plan accordingly. Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![system](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex050/user_avatar/community.criticalmanufacturing.com/system/32/23_2.png) [@system](https://community.criticalmanufacturing.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 8:41am UTC](https://community.criticalmanufacturing.com/t/unable-to-perform-save-operation-on-custom-relation-material-defect-and-protocol-instance/851/5 "2026-09-17T08:41:50Z")
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