# AssetDatabase: Missing .meta file for asset 'Assets/Textures/icon.png'

- **ID:** `unity/asset-database-missing-meta-file`
- **Domain:** unity
- **Category:** resource_error
- **Error Code:** `ADB-001`
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 92%

## Root Cause

A .meta file is missing or corrupted for a project asset, often due to manual file operations outside Unity or version control conflicts.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| Unity 2021.3 | active | — | — |
| Unity 2022.3 | active | — | — |
| Unity 2023.1 | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Regenerate the .meta file by selecting the asset in the Project window and clicking 'Assets > Reimport' or pressing Ctrl+R.** (90% success)
   ```
   Regenerate the .meta file by selecting the asset in the Project window and clicking 'Assets > Reimport' or pressing Ctrl+R.
   ```
2. **Use the 'Assets > Reimport All' option to regenerate all .meta files in the project.** (95% success)
   ```
   Use the 'Assets > Reimport All' option to regenerate all .meta files in the project.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **Delete the asset file and re-import it from the original source.** — This may not regenerate the .meta file correctly if the asset is re-imported with the same GUID conflicts. (35% fail)
- **Copy a .meta file from another asset and rename it.** — Each .meta file contains a unique GUID; using a duplicate can cause GUID collisions and further errors. (75% fail)