Graphical Differnces Based on Machine a Build is Made On

Hi! So I’m encountering a super weird issue. I have a project on two machines. Both Windows, one is a laptop, one is a desktop.

The colors look different the two machines and I thought it was just display differences between the two. But I recently noticed the colors display on each machine based on what machine they were built on, so I don’t think it’s a display quality/setting issue.

Here’s the graphical differences: Link

The top screenshot is from a build made from desktop opened on the laptop.
The bottom screenshot is from a build made from laptop opened on the laptop.

So it’s super obvious that the desktop build is a lot brighter and the laptop one is darker. The issue is happening in editor (scene view and play mode) on both machines too (desktop is brighter, laptop is darker).
I compared all camera settings, URP settings, etc with someone else working on the project (they see it darker) and we have the exact same across all 3 machines… Our guess is maybe Unity does an extra color pass that gives the brighter colors for the desktop build? Our next guess it’s maybe something with the shaders, since there are some objects that look the the same between builds. But we aren’t really familiar with the build process and aren’t too sure!

It’s really not a big deal since the desktop build can build it brighter (which is what we want), but it’s driving us crazy! We’re really curious to figure out what’s causing these behaviors.

Hope the descriptions make sense haha, any help would be appreciated!

EDIT: I noticed the tag at the top says Build-In Render Pipeline, but we are using URP. I can’t find a setting where to change that…

There should not be a visual difference between builds.

First, try deleting the Library folder from both projects and make another round of builds and compare them.

Still the same issue? If so: zip up each project (close the editor) on both laptop and desktop. You may want to delete the Library and Obj folders first to minimize the size.

Then extract those projects to the respective other system, and use each to make a build on each machine. If this ends up giving the same result except in reverse, you can be sure the problem is because the two projects deviate in some way.

Since you’re not working solo, you must be using source control. You should be able to see if there are any changes between these versions, unless you have some important files that should be under source control in the exclusion list (sometimes devs think they need to exclude “ProjectSettings” for instance).

My hunch is that the settings differ because you can clearly see that the shadows render differently. Are you absolutely certain that the Laptop uses the same quality setting for builds (not editor) as the desktop does?

Fixed. :wink:

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Im wondering if it is something to do with the lighting and baking. But it shouldnt look different as has been said

Hi (sorry for the slow response)!
Deleting the library build worked :joy:

Thank you!!