remotion-dev/remotion · critical · Error

Failed to create WebGL buffer

Error message

Failed to create WebGL buffer

What it means

During starburst effect `setup`, `gl.createBuffer()` returned `null` while allocating the vertex buffer for the fullscreen quad. This indicates the GL context cannot allocate a buffer object, usually due to context loss or resource exhaustion. The VAO has already been created and bound when this fires.

Source

Thrown at packages/effects/src/starburst.ts:314

		const fs = compileShader(gl, gl.FRAGMENT_SHADER, STARBURST_FS);
		const program = linkProgram(gl, vs, fs);
		gl.deleteShader(vs);
		gl.deleteShader(fs);

		const vao = gl.createVertexArray();
		if (!vao) {
			throw new Error('Failed to create WebGL vertex array');
		}

		gl.bindVertexArray(vao);

		const data = new Float32Array([
			-1, -1, 0, 0, 1, -1, 1, 0, -1, 1, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1,
		]);

		const vbo = gl.createBuffer();
		if (!vbo) {
			throw new Error('Failed to create WebGL buffer');
		}

		gl.bindBuffer(gl.ARRAY_BUFFER, vbo);
		gl.bufferData(gl.ARRAY_BUFFER, data, gl.STATIC_DRAW);

		const aPos = gl.getAttribLocation(program, 'aPos');
		const aUv = gl.getAttribLocation(program, 'aUv');
		gl.enableVertexAttribArray(aPos);
		gl.vertexAttribPointer(aPos, 2, gl.FLOAT, false, 16, 0);
		gl.enableVertexAttribArray(aUv);
		gl.vertexAttribPointer(aUv, 2, gl.FLOAT, false, 16, 8);

		gl.bindVertexArray(null);

		const paletteTexture = gl.createTexture();
		if (!paletteTexture) {
			throw new Error('Failed to create WebGL palette texture');
		}

View on GitHub (pinned to 78fe4bb3fd)

Solutions

1. Reduce concurrent webgl2 effect instances.
2. Restart the session to obtain a fresh context.
3. Ensure adequate GPU memory is available (close other GPU-heavy apps).
4. Handle `webglcontextlost` events and reinitialize effect state.

try {
  starburst({...params});
} catch (e) {
  if (/Failed to create WebGL buffer/.test((e as Error).message)) {
    renderFallbackFrame();
  } else throw e;
}

When it happens

Trigger: Context lost after VAO creation; GPU memory for buffer objects exhausted; degraded/destroyed GL context.

Common situations: Many concurrent webgl2 effects; memory-constrained mobile devices; long-running sessions; headless CI with limited GL memory.

Related errors

• Failed to create WebGL shader
• Failed to create WebGL program
• Failed to create WebGL vertex array
• Failed to create WebGL palette texture
• Failed to create WebGL buffer

AI-assisted analysis of remotion-dev/remotion@78fe4bb3fd (2026-08-12). Data as JSON: /api/errors/f628639d396dabee. Report an issue: GitHub.