Have you had this problem: “Rats! WebGL hit a snag.” Usually, you get this message in the error bar on Google Chrome. So what is it all about? Before we tell you about it, let’s understand a little about WebGL. WebGL or Web Graphics Library is a JavaScript API that helps with rendering interactive 3D computer graphics and 2D graphics on any compatible web browser, without requiring the use of plug-ins. It enables GPU accelerated image processing and the use of physics. WebGL programs consist of code written in JavaScript and are executed on the computer’s GPU or Graphics Processing Unit. The non-profit, Khronos Group designs and maintains WebGL.
WebGL works as a thin wrapper around OpenGL. OpenGL is a low level library used for drawing 2D graphics. Basically, OpenGL gives us the ability to push data to the GPU, and then to execute specialized code on the GPU itself rather than on the CPU. WebGL helps to optimize the performance of browsers, JavaScript and graphics drivers when it comes to 2D and 3D graphics. In fact, WebGL is the best way to bring 3D everywhere. It allows you to write once, run everywhere.
Fix Rats Webgl Hit A Snag Error Chrome
When using WebGL, you may have had a problem with a site falling back to canvas rendering if WebGL is not supported or is found to have an error. When using WebGL in Google Chrome, an error message bar appears – “Rats! WebGL hit a snag.” It does not disappear till you do something about it.
If you try reloading the page or navigating to a different one, the message reappears the next time you use WebGL. In fact, you get the error message every time a web page tries to access WebGL. And once the error occurs, Chrome will not use WebGL on the same site again, until and unless you specifically reload it.
So, the “Rats! WebGL hit a snag” message does not indicate continuous errors, but just that you have been making continuous attempts to use WebGL. You can fix the problem and solve your page rendering issues by disabling hardware accelerated graphics from the settings in Google Chrome.
What is WebGL?
Web Graphics Library also known as the “WebGL” is a Javascript API which Renders interactive 3D computer graphics and Graphics(2D) on any web browser that is Compatible without needing any plug-ins or add-ons.
The Computer’s GPU or also known as Graphics Processing Unit helps the execution of the Javascript which has all the webGL program Codes.
The Group popularly known as the “Khronos Group designs and maintains WebGL, and it is a non-profit group, situated in Beaverton, Oregon (USA).
Usage of WebGL
WebGL acts as a thin sheet of cloth around OpenGL which is a used for drawing 2D graphics (Low-Level Library). It helps in pushing data to the GPU, and execution of the specialized code on the GPU itself.
WebGL is the easy and best way to bring 3D graphics and also 2D everywhere. Once written, it can run Everywhere. WebGL apart from used in 3D wed design and gaming, it also has amazed scientists for research and scientific works.A book named “Cellular Automata” have used this technology to simulate Debris flow.
Did you know? NASA, Yes “NASA” developed an interactive web application called experience curiosity to celebrate the 3rd anniversary of the famous Curiosity rover landing on Mars.
How to Fix Rats! WebGL Hit A Snag
Sometimes when using WebGL we have an error about site crashing and telling us that WebGL is not supported. You will come across an error message saying “Rats! WebGL hit a snag” while surfing on Chrome browser.
Even if we try to Reload the web page or try to go to another one, the message reappears. In fact, we get an error message every time browser try to access WebGL.
Note: – This error message does not indicate continuous errors but appears whenever someone is trying to make constant attempts to use WebGL.
Fix #1 Disabling Hardware Accelerated Graphics in Chrome
- We can fix this problem by disabling hardware accelerated graphics from the settings in google chrome. Follow the steps mentioned below.
- Navigate to chrome://settings>>show advanced settings.
- There you can see an option “use hardware acceleration when available”.
- Uncheck it and Restart your browser to make the changes live.
Fix #2 Disable WebGL
- Go to chrome://flags. Search for the option “Disable WebGL.
- Enable this option and restart your browser.
- It is very unlikely that your problem still Persist But if you encounter this error then there is another way to tackle it.
Fix #3 Chrome GPU
- Navigate to Chrome://GPU.
- Here under the Problems detected heading, Check for any unusual red warnings, as I have shown in the picture below.
By this, you can figure out what the problem is, and what exactly is making that error message pop. But as I said earlier Fix 1 & 2 would work for you like a Charm.