Google enforces specific guidelines for updating information on your Google Business Profile. When submitting updates through the dba platform, any content that doesn’t meet these requirements will trigger an error message. This article explains how to troubleshoot and resolve the
SPECIAL_HOURS_SET_WITHOUT_REGULAR_HOURS error to ensure your updates are accepted smoothly.Common Causes & Solutions
1. Attempting to set special hours without first defining regular hours
This error occurs when special hours (e.g., holiday closures or extended hours) are submitted, but no standard business hours have been established for the location. Google requires regular hours to be in place before any special hours can be added.
→ Solution 1:
Ensure that the business has standard operating hours set for each day of the week before submitting any special hours.
✅ Add regular hours (e.g., Mon–Fri: 9am–5pm) first
🚫 Don’t attempt to add holiday or event-based hours before setting your core hours
2. Special hours were submitted during a new listing setup before core hours were defined
If you're adding a new business location and only submit special hours without first completing the full business profile (including hours of operation), this error can be triggered.
→ Solution 2:
Complete the full profile setup in the correct order:
-
Add all required details, including business hours
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Save and allow time for the data to sync
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Submit special hours after the regular hours are in place
3. Regular hours were removed or disabled, but special hours were left in place
If the regular hours were deleted or temporarily disabled and special hours remain in the profile, Google will reject the update due to the dependency.
→ Solution 3:
Re-add or re-enable the standard hours first, then resubmit your special hours.
📌 Best Practice: Set Hours in Sequence
To avoid this error, always input regular hours first before adding special hours. This ensures Google has a baseline schedule to reference when applying exceptions like holidays or one-off closures.
Still Seeing the Error?
If you've set regular hours and are still receiving the SPECIAL_HOURS_SET_WITHOUT_REGULAR_HOURS error, try the following:
Test in Google
Go to your Google Business Profile directly and check whether your regular hours have been saved and published. If not, re-enter them and wait for confirmation before adding special hours.
Contact support
If the issue persists, reach out to our support team at help@dbaplatform.com with the business name and location ID so we can investigate further.
How Long Will the Fix Take?
Once regular hours are successfully added and synced, special hours can be applied immediately. Updates typically reflect on the profile within 15–30 minutes. If the account requires additional verification, it may take up to 24–48 hours for the changes to publish.
How to Update Your Business's Google Information Through dba
If you're unsure how to update your GBP details through the dba platform—or just need a quick refresher—we’ve got you covered. Our step-by-step guide walks you through how to make edits to your profiles efficiently and accurately.
👉 Click here to view the guide on updating GBPs through dba
Looking for the Error Code?
If you're working with support or need to reference this issue more technically, the error code associated with this message is: SPECIAL_HOURS_SET_WITHOUT_REGULAR_HOURS. Sharing this code can help speed up troubleshooting and ensure we’re all speaking the same language when resolving the issue.