Symptoms:
- I am unable to create new Unity projects despite having Unity installed on my system.
- When I attempt to create a project (e.g., a 2D template), Unity Hub displays the error: "Failed to resolve project template: Failed to decompress [C:\Users\me\AppData\Roaming\UnityHub\Templates\com.unity.template.2d-1.0.7.tgz]."
- The name of the project appears in Unity Hub's project list, but I cannot open it, and its files are not created. Trying different project templates results in similar errors for other .tgz files. Reinstalling Unity Hub or switching Unity Editor versions (e.g., 2022.3) does not resolve the issue.
Cause:
This issue is often linked to the following factors:
- Corrupted Files: Template files might be damaged or incomplete.
- Path Length Limitations: Windows systems have a 260-character path limit, and Unity might fail to create the project when the total length of paths exceeds this limit.
- Version-Specific Bugs: Some Unity Editor versions (e.g., 2022.3.16f1) are reported to encounter this problem, while others (e.g., 2022.3.15f1) do not.
- Permissions Issues: Insufficient system permissions or interference from antivirus software could block Unity from accessing necessary resources.
Resolution:
Follow these steps to resolve the issue:
-
Verify the Path Length
- Ensure the project is being created in a location with a short file path.
- Example: Use C:\Projects\ instead of C:\Users\me\Documents\My Unity Projects.
- Name the project with a single character (e.g., A) for testing.
-
Switch Unity Editor Versions
- If using Unity Editor version 2022.3.16f1 or later, try reverting to an earlier version such as 2022.3.15f1 or 2020.3.
- Download and install the desired version from the Unity Archive: Unity Download Archive.
- Complete remove and reinstall
- Reset Unity Configuration
-
Delete the Unity license file located at:
- C:\ProgramData\Unity\Unity_lic.ulf.
- Restart Unity Hub to regenerate the file.
-
Create Projects via Command Line (Temporary Workaround)
- Navigate to the Unity Editor directory (e.g., C:\Program Files\Unity\Hub\Editor\2021.3.33f1\Editor\Unity.exe).
-
Run the following command to create a project:
- Unity.exe -createProject C:\Projects\NewProject
- Note: Replace C:\Projects\NewProject with your desired path and project name.
- Open the prompt, and put the command line as an example (e.g., "C:\Program Files\Unity\Hub\Editor\<Unity Editor Version>\Editor\Unity.exe" -createProject "C:\Users\Username\<Directory>\")
-
Disable Antivirus Software (if applicable)
- Temporarily disable your antivirus software to ensure it is not interfering with Unity.
Best Practices and Tips:
- Regularly update both Unity Hub and the Unity Editor to the latest stable versions.
- Keep your project paths short and avoid special characters.
Consider backing up your templates folder (C:\Users\me\AppData\Roaming\UnityHub\Templates) before reinstalling or deleting files.