How to Resolve Roll20 Dynamic Lighting Issues

Discover why Roll20’s Dynamic Lighting might not be working and explore effective solutions for an enhanced gaming experience.

Roll20, renowned for its Dynamic Lighting feature, enhances remote RPG experiences. However, users occasionally encounter issues with this tool. In this guide, we’ll dissect these problems and offer actionable solutions for a seamless gaming experience.

Problem

• Token Vision Disabled: Lack of token vision prevents players from experiencing lighting effects based on line of sight.
• Token Control Restrictions: Players lacking token control may not interact with vision settings, hindering dynamic lighting.
• Browser Compatibility: Unsupported browsers can lead to functionality issues; Roll20 performs optimally on Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.
• Corrupted Cache Data: Browser cache corruption can disrupt dynamic lighting; resolving this requires cache clearance.

Possible Causes

Roll20’s dynamic lighting might not work due to various reasons:

1. Token vision not enabled: Players might not see lighting effects if their line of sight isn’t enabled.
2. Lack of token control: If players can’t control their tokens, adjusting vision settings for dynamic lighting becomes impossible.
3. Unsupported browsers: Roll20 functions best on Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, and using other browsers can lead to issues.
4. Corrupted browser cache: Clearing the browser cache can resolve issues interfering with dynamic lighting.

Solution 1: Check Your Internet Connection

• Turn off your router/modem, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.
• Consider resetting your network settings on your device.
• Test with a different Wi-Fi network or switch to cellular data.
• Try another device to determine if the issue is device-specific.

Solution 2: Enable Token Vision

Check and enable vision for each token individually on the virtual tabletop. Use the “Update All Tokens” option to enable vision for all tokens simultaneously.

Solution 3: Assign Token Control

Grant adequate control permissions to players over their respective tokens in Roll20. Lack of control permissions might hinder players from seeing dynamic lighting or vision effects for their tokens.

Solution 4: Use Supported Browsers

To optimize Roll20 features like Dynamic Lighting:

• Utilize the latest versions of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.
• Ensure you access Roll20 specifically through Chrome or Firefox, as other browsers may not fully support its features like Dynamic Lighting.

Solution 5: Clear browser’s cache and cookies

To resolve Roll20’s Dynamic Lighting issues, try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies:

For Google Chrome:

1. Click the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner.
2. Choose “More tools” > “Clear browsing data.”
3. In the window, select “Cached images and files” and “Cookies and other site data.”
4. Pick a time range (e.g., “Last hour,” “Last 24 hours,” “All time”).
5. Click “Clear data.”

For Mozilla Firefox:

1. Click the three-line menu icon in the top-right corner.
2. Choose “Options” > “Privacy & Security.”
3. In “Cookies and Site Data,” click “Clear Data.”
4. Select “Cookies” and “Cached Web Content.”
5. Click “Clear.”

For Safari:

1. Click “Safari” in the top menu and select “Preferences.”
2. Go to the “Privacy” tab.
3. Click “Manage Website Data.”
4. Choose “Remove All” to clear cookies and data.
5. Confirm by clicking “Remove Now.”

For Microsoft Edge:

1. Click the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner.
2. Select “Settings” > “Privacy, search, and services.”
3. Under “Clear browsing data,” click “Choose what to clear.”
4. Check “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files.”
5. Click “Clear.”

Solution 6: Contact Roll20 Support

If previous fixes haven’t resolved the Dynamic Lighting issue on Roll20, consider reaching out to Roll20 support for specialized assistance. They can provide specific guidance to help resolve the problem.