How to tell: If there is a floating selection, many actions are impossible until the floating section is anchored. To check, look at the Layers Dialog, shortcut Ctrl+L (making sure it's set to the image you're working on) and see whether the top layer is called ”Floating Selection”.

How to solve: Right click on the floating selection to open the Layer menu and select either Anchor Layer (shortcut Ctrl+H) to anchor the floating selection to the layer below it, or convert it into an ordinary layer by selecting To New Layer (shortcut Shift+Ctrl+N). If you need more help on how to do this, see Floating Selections.