Quick answer: Construct 3 effect set to disabled at runtime still showing visually? Disabling toggles the effect's processing but doesn't release the render target - re-add the effect to truly clear.
Glow effect on a sprite disabled when player loses powerup. Glow persists for a frame; sometimes longer.
Remove the effect
Use the Remove Effect action rather than Set Enabled. Frees the render target; clears immediately.
Or zero the parameters
For continuous effects (glow strength), animate the parameter to zero rather than toggling enabled. Visual disappearance matches the parameter.
Verify with the debugger
Construct 3 debugger shows active effects per object. Disabled-but-present effects appear here.
“Disabled is not removed. The render target still exists.”
For pickups with timed effects, structure as add-on-pickup, remove-on-expire. Toggle-state effects are a debug surface; add/remove is clean.