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Jira Start Sprint Button Greyed Out

Workaround available Web Updated October 21, 2026

Quick answer

Start sprint is greyed out when you lack sprint permission, another sprint is already active, the sprint is empty, or you're not on a Scrum board.

Most likely fix: Check sprint permission.

Symptoms

The Start sprint (or Complete sprint) button is disabled or missing in the backlog.

Why it happens

  • Missing 'Manage sprints' (Start/Complete Sprints) permission
  • Another sprint already active and parallel sprints are off
  • Sprint contains no issues
  • Board is Kanban, not Scrum
  • Complex board filter (e.g. OR clauses across projects)
  • Complete sprint: unresolved issues or open sub-tasks

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

  1. 1. Check sprint permission

    1. Project settings > Permissions
    2. Confirm you have 'Manage sprints' (or Administer projects) in every project the board filter includes

  2. 2. Check active sprints

    1. Look in Active sprints; complete the running sprint first, or enable parallel sprints if your setup supports it

  3. 3. Check the board

    1. Board settings: confirm the board type is Scrum
    2. Simplify the board filter so it covers only projects where you have permission
    3. Add at least one issue to the sprint

This guide also covers

  • jira start sprint greyed out
  • can't start sprint jira
  • jira complete sprint greyed out

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