Editing Openai/696480e2-8c90-8013-9d6f-6ccbd15d2db6 (section)

=== Assistant: Got it — I’ll explain that exact solution slowly, explicitly, and click-by-click, with no assumptions. ===
Got it — I’ll explain that exact solution slowly, explicitly, and click-by-click, with no assumptions.

We are ONLY fixing View Layer → Use Light.

==== If Use Light is OFF, Blender ignores every light in the scene during F12 renders, even brand-new ones. ====

Viewport can still look “okay”, which is why this is confusing.

==== ### ====
# Look at the right-hand Properties panel
# Find the icons running vertically
# Click the icon that looks like two stacked photos - This is View Layer Properties

⚠️ Do NOT click Render Properties (camera icon)
⚠️ Do NOT click Object or World

===== 1. Inside View Layer Properties, scroll down if needed =====
# Find a section labeled “Light”

You will see:
* Use Light ☐ (checkbox)
* Holdout ☐ (checkbox)

===== - ✅ CHECK → Use Light =====
* ❌ UNCHECK → Holdout

This is the critical fix.

===== Still in View Layer Properties: =====
# Look for Material Override
# If there is ANY material listed there: - Click the X to clear it

Overrides can force flat / unlit renders.

===== 1. Press F12 =====
# Your lights should now appear immediately

==== - Light affects objects ====
* Shadows appear
* New lights work instantly
* Spot / Point / Sun lights all render

==== - New lights don’t render ====
* Old lights don’t render
* Geometry visible but flat
* Changing light power does nothing

==== This setting is usually disabled by: ====
* View Layer duplication
* Importing scenes
* Geometry Nodes setups
* Template files
* Certain addons

Blender does not warn you when it’s off.

==== After you do this, tell me yes or no: ====

: 

If not, we move to the next single toggle — but this one matches your symptoms exactly.