# How do I fix the, "Lighting Needs to be Rebuilt" Error? **URL:** \ **Category:** Rendering\ **Tags:** error, Atmospheric-Fog, unreal-engine, editor, Lighting, question\ **Created:** [March 31, 2014, 3:06am UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-do-i-fix-the-lighting-needs-to-be-rebuilt-error/279101 "2014-03-31T03:06:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![broopanda\_1](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@broopanda\_1](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/broopanda_1)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2014, 3:06am UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-do-i-fix-the-lighting-needs-to-be-rebuilt-error/279101/1 "2014-03-31T03:06:04Z")
I’m using UE4 on a mac and so far have completed of the first Level building tutorials. I’ve saved out my project and my level and each time I come back in I have an error at the top of my viewport. The error reads: “LIGHTING NEEDS TO BE REBUILT (34 unbuilt object(s))” Additionally, the atmospheric fog is no longer showing in editor as well. This could be a separate issue. When I look at the items on my list, There are items listed with yellow or orange exclamation marks next to them. Can someone please point me in the right direction on how to fix these errors as I think that they might be related to the above mentioned. ---
**Author:** ![Apoc\_2](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@Apoc\_2](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/Apoc_2)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2014, 3:16am UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-do-i-fix-the-lighting-needs-to-be-rebuilt-error/279101/2 "2014-03-31T03:16:37Z")
To rebuild lighting hit the drop down arrow next to “Build” in the main toolbar and select “Build Lighting Only.” Alternatively you can just hit the “Build” button on the main toolbar. I just found this about the exclamation marks in the scene outliner: [Outliner in Unreal Engine | Unreal Engine 5.1 Documentation](https://docs.unrealengine.com/latest/INT/Engine/UI/LevelEditor/SceneOutliner/Interface/index.html) The exclamation marks are indicators of the mobility type of the actors. If the fog isn’t showing I would recommend clicking on it in the scene outliner and then in the “Details” panel under the “Rendering” section make sure the checkbox next to “Visible” is checked. ---
**Author:** ![AClark](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@AClark](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/AClark)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 9:01pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-do-i-fix-the-lighting-needs-to-be-rebuilt-error/279101/3 "2014-05-14T21:01:24Z")
For some reason whenever I mess with objects that allow light to enter the room I receive the same error. I did what you suggested and that seems to help for the most part, but is there something that I am doing wrong to cause this error? Also when I rebuild, any surface that would not have a significant amount of light hitting it becomes pitch black will not illuminate if a new light source is made. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Midsoft\_Games](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@Midsoft\_Games](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/Midsoft_Games)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2016, 8:50pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-do-i-fix-the-lighting-needs-to-be-rebuilt-error/279101/5 "2016-12-12T20:50:35Z")
**World Settings** → Force No-Precomputed Lighting = True (It is a checkbox, so check it) ---
**Author:** ![AlaaAlshahed](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@AlaaAlshahed](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/AlaaAlshahed)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 8:11pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-do-i-fix-the-lighting-needs-to-be-rebuilt-error/279101/6 "2017-01-07T20:11:51Z")
My friend did you find the answer for your issue? Am having the same problem here and am tired searching the web ---
**Author:** ![BlueMind\_Studio](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@BlueMind\_Studio](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/BlueMind_Studio)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 11:01am UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-do-i-fix-the-lighting-needs-to-be-rebuilt-error/279101/7 "2017-01-12T11:01:09Z")
set your lighting to “mobile” while developing - so it is calculated in realtime. When youre done, you can switch back to static for example ---
**Author:** ![TheRift](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@TheRift](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/TheRift)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 8:37pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-do-i-fix-the-lighting-needs-to-be-rebuilt-error/279101/8 "2017-05-28T20:37:33Z")
Just press the ‘Build’ button whenever you see ‘needs to be rebuild’ ---
**Author:** ![Intervence](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@Intervence](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/Intervence)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 3:39pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-do-i-fix-the-lighting-needs-to-be-rebuilt-error/279101/9 "2017-06-23T15:39:34Z")
Thanks alot helped me alot. That was a annjoying error messages that appears all the time. When we are in developing mode it’s should have been done automatic… i was about too quit yesterday. ---
**Author:** ![SupDeity](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@SupDeity](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/SupDeity)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2017, 1:15pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-do-i-fix-the-lighting-needs-to-be-rebuilt-error/279101/10 "2017-09-11T13:15:44Z")
First of all in UE4.17 i think its called Pre-compute Visibility Which will increase Run-time memory. And increase lightning build times. I cant find force no computed lightning. also precompute visibility is by default disabled. to solve the rebuild lightning error You have to BUILD. ---
**Author:** ![anonymous\_user\_d36996f0](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@anonymous\_user\_d36996f0](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/anonymous_user_d36996f0)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 8:04am UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-do-i-fix-the-lighting-needs-to-be-rebuilt-error/279101/11 "2017-12-28T08:04:51Z")
Hi guys when i rebuild lighting i get an an error saying actor lightmap resolution too large could rebuild light is there a fix please help. ---
**Author:** ![Faz-Mania](https://d1ap1mz92jnks1.cloudfront.net/user_avatar/forums.unrealengine.com/faz-mania/32/572424_2.png) [@Faz-Mania](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/Faz-Mania)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 7:11pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-do-i-fix-the-lighting-needs-to-be-rebuilt-error/279101/12 "2017-12-28T19:11:57Z")
Thanks that helping me a lot ^^. ---
**Author:** ![APOCRS1980](https://d1ap1mz92jnks1.cloudfront.net/user_avatar/forums.unrealengine.com/apocrs1980/32/1002276_2.png) [@APOCRS1980](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/APOCRS1980)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2018, 6:52am UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-do-i-fix-the-lighting-needs-to-be-rebuilt-error/279101/13 "2018-02-13T06:52:32Z")
I’m having the same issue, I have set the light map density resolution on the objects from 64 to 2 and even though they are now green in debug with some of the lower parts tinging into the orange I’m still getting errors when trying to rebuild the lighting. Highly frustrating! ---
**Author:** ![anonymous\_user\_f26c856c1](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@anonymous\_user\_f26c856c1](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/anonymous_user_f26c856c1)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2018, 3:29pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-do-i-fix-the-lighting-needs-to-be-rebuilt-error/279101/14 "2018-02-13T15:29:15Z")
Hi! I think before talking about errors and bugs you should understand the lighting in Unreal! You should understand what is static and dynamic lighting to decide which one you need for your scene before completely turning off light calculation as a solution! :S I advise you to go through this page to clear things out: > **[A new, community-hosted Unreal Engine Wiki](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/a-new-community-hosted-unreal-engine-wiki/141494)** > > After over a year in maintenance mode, the official Unreal Engine Wiki is now permanently offline. These resources now live on a new community-run Unreal Engine Community Wiki — https://unrealcommunity.wiki/! You will be able to find content from... But basically as it was said before a couple of times: if you use static(or stationary) lights your lighting information will be baked into your (static)meshes! Will take just one calculation (BUILDING LIGHTING) and after that it’s on your meshes like a “material”. And because it’s baked into your meshes whenever you make changes like moving meshes or placing new ones or changing your light properties: you will have to rebuild your lights because there are new information and your scene needs to be “updated”. Keep in mind that this is the only way right now to get proper GI! You won’t get any from dynamic lighting!! I hope it clears a few things but read through that wiki page also!! Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![xxxAriOrHxxx](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@xxxAriOrHxxx](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/xxxAriOrHxxx)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2018, 2:52pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-do-i-fix-the-lighting-needs-to-be-rebuilt-error/279101/15 "2018-05-30T14:52:47Z")
We have the same problems and know what causing it. We have small objects setup Lightmap Type - Force Volumetric. This objects are causing editor constantly tells us that this objects has to be rebuild right after light calculations. Any ideas how to resolve it? Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![xxxAriOrHxxx](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@xxxAriOrHxxx](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/xxxAriOrHxxx)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2018, 2:53pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-do-i-fix-the-lighting-needs-to-be-rebuilt-error/279101/16 "2018-05-30T14:53:01Z")
We have the same problems and know what causing it. We have small objects setup Lightmap Type - Force Volumetric. This objects are causing editor constantly tells us that this objects has to be rebuild right after light calculations. Any ideas how to resolve it? Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![hamtaro-1H](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@hamtaro-1H](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/hamtaro-1H)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 3:37am UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-do-i-fix-the-lighting-needs-to-be-rebuilt-error/279101/17 "2018-08-11T03:37:08Z")
@Jurassic Studios - The “Force No Precomputed Lighting” option is still in UE 4.17 and higher - just keyword “Force” into the World Settings search bar. ---
**Author:** ![ForceUnleashed96](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@ForceUnleashed96](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/ForceUnleashed96)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2019, 7:46pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-do-i-fix-the-lighting-needs-to-be-rebuilt-error/279101/18 "2019-04-26T19:46:26Z")
I found that inside version 4.22 in the main tab under “Design” underneath it, by pressing “Design only lighting” you have to install “SwarmAgent” to fix it ---
**Author:** ![Mynkela](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@Mynkela](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/Mynkela)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2020, 10:19pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-do-i-fix-the-lighting-needs-to-be-rebuilt-error/279101/19 "2020-08-08T22:19:32Z")
_Hey, You are also problem in:_ **lightning need to be result (1,2,3,4,5,6,etc unbuilt objects)** _Dont, Worry follow the Step_ 1. Build Option in Ue4 on the side (Down Arrow) ,Remmember this or describing below look at ![309075-annotation-2020-08-04-111627.png](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/3/3/1/3310da97088aff26a8cdd664c9ca04426135e3e0.png) * * * 1. Click that, are the frist Option “Build Lightning Only” then Wait. 2. then, See Your Screen Prespective Scene ,Problem will solved ---
**Author:** ![linborulinboru](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@linborulinboru](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/linborulinboru)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2022, 3:49pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-do-i-fix-the-lighting-needs-to-be-rebuilt-error/279101/20 "2022-12-25T15:49:44Z")
It’s helpful. ---
**Author:** ![Cheemayt](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@Cheemayt](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/Cheemayt)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2023, 2:47pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-do-i-fix-the-lighting-needs-to-be-rebuilt-error/279101/21 "2023-03-12T14:47:04Z")
BROOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! What Thank you very much my friend/brother , really appreciate it.