unity shader_error ai_generated partial

Shader error in 'Custom/MyShader': failed to open source file at line 42

ID: unity/shader-compilation-error

Also available as: JSON · Markdown
65%Fix Rate
85%Confidence
3Evidence
2023-01-01First Seen

Version Compatibility

VersionStatusIntroducedDeprecatedNotes
2022 active — — —
2022 active — — —

Root Cause

Shader compilation failed. Syntax error, exceeding GPU limits, or missing include file.

generic

Workarounds

  1. 88% success Check the Console for the exact error line and fix the shader syntax

    Sources: https://docs.unity3d.com/Manual/

  2. 85% success Use Shader Graph (visual editor) instead of writing HLSL/ShaderLab manually 
    Window > Shader Graph > create new shader; drag nodes instead of writing code
  3. 78% success Reduce shader complexity for mobile: fewer texture samples, simpler math 
    Mobile GPUs have strict limits on interpolators and ALU instructions

Dead Ends

Common approaches that don't work:

  1. Switch to a more powerful GPU to fix shader compilation limits 78% fail

    Shader instruction limits are per-platform target, not the development GPU. Target platform determines limits.

  2. Copy shader code from older Unity tutorials 72% fail

    Shader API changes between Unity versions. Old surface shader code may not compile in newer versions.