NetworkObject serialization issue

[belplaton]

Unity 2022.3.15f1
FishNet 4.6.18R Pro

Description:

After every time I edit scripts and then run the game scene, I get an error saying I need to “Reserialize NetworkObjects.” I do it (which is already inconvenient, because I have to do it constantly).

Then, sometimes, even after running “Reserialize NetworkObjects,” I start the scene and nothing is fixed. It complains about the exact same error again. I run “Reserialize NetworkObjects” again and again, and nothing changes.

The only thing that helps is fully reverting all prefab changes in the current commit. That’s a serious problem, because it makes it impossible to work with prefabs normally in the project — this serialization system completely breaks our workflows.

Replication:

You need to have some prefabs with NetworkObjects. Then edit scripts (or basically anything else). The issue appears spontaneously / at random.

Expectation:

Serialization and reserialization should not modify prefabs. Data such as _initializedTimestamp and PrefabId should be stored in PrefabObjects in the editor (or in some other centralized place), not inside NetworkObject components.

[belplaton]

Also it floods GitHub commits

[belplaton]

I'm not sure how it's done in Mirror, but it seems to me that it works much more stably there. Are there any options for borrowing the logic of organizing a pool of network prefabs?

[belplaton]

And this need for reserialization really slows down the workflow

[FirstGearGames]

Thia issue is often caused by an issue with the prefab, something blocking saving, usually a Unity cache error - maybe a missing script. The other possibility is the editor (or whichever tool you're using to clone) doesn't refresh its copy. What are you using to simulate two editors?

…

On Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 4:31 PM waterb ***@***.***> wrote: *belplaton* left a comment (FirstGearGames/FishNet#996) <#996 (comment)> image.png (view on web) <https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/d66eff52-1da1-4a70-bb12-e8580831cefa> image.png (view on web) <https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/bea5808a-9828-4f5b-879e-bd7dfac12a1b> And this need for reserialization really slows down the workflow — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#996 (comment)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AGPJC3X5DOFWCR4O6NBLZET4F3EDPAVCNFSM6AAAAACRDSX3COVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMZTOMRVHEZDGOJQGQ> . You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[belplaton]

This error occurs in a single editor instance on the host.

"usually a Unity cache error - maybe a missing script." - I don’t have any missing scripts. Also, when I previously tried running the game in host mode on a different device, the exact same issue occurred there as well (with just a single player). So most likely it’s neither one nor the other.

Regarding editor scripts: I use SetDirty in OnValidate in many places, and it’s necessary.

I think the least painful approach would be to move the serialization into a centralized place, so it wouldn’t force all these scripts to reserialize and wouldn’t create such an excess of phantom changes.

I also noticed that reserialization is sometimes not enough and you additionally have to run RefreshDefaultPrefabs, even though the logs don’t explicitly indicate that.

        protected virtual void Awake()
        {
            _isStatic = gameObject.isStatic;

            /* If networkBehaviours are not yet initialized then do so now.
             * After initializing at least 1 networkBehaviour will always exist
             * as emptyNetworkBehaviour is added automatically when none are present. */
            if (!_hasBeenInitialized && SceneId == UNSET_SCENEID_VALUE)
            {
                NetworkManager.LogError($"NetworkObject {this.ToString()} is expected to be initialized but was not. Exit play-mode, use the Fish-Networking menu > Utility > Reserialize NetworkObjects > and Reserialize Prefabs. Choose to Reserialize Scenes as well if this is a scene object.");
                return;
            }

            SetChildDespawnedState();
        }

[FirstGearGames]

I was on mobile and initially thought it was a prefab or sceneId mismatch. At what point is the sceneId being unset?