---
title: Common problems
metadata:
description: Commonly encountered issues when using Select2.
taxonomy:
category: docs
---
### Select2 does not function properly when I use it inside a Bootstrap modal.
This issue occurs because Bootstrap modals tend to steal focus from other elements outside of the modal. Since by default, Select2 [attaches the dropdown menu to the `` element](/dropdown#dropdown-placement), it is considered "outside of the modal".
To avoid this problem, you may attach the dropdown to the modal itself with the [dropdownParent](/dropdown#dropdown-placement) setting:
```
...
...
...
```
This will cause the dropdown to be attached to the modal, rather than the `` element.
**Alternatively**, you may simply globally override Bootstrap's behavior:
```
// Do this before you initialize any of your modals
$.fn.modal.Constructor.prototype.enforceFocus = function() {};
```
See [this answer](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/18487056/select2-doesnt-work-when-embedded-in-a-bootstrap-modal/19574076#19574076) for more information.