Fix: Unity NavMesh Link Not Traversed By Agent

A platformer enemy can’t jump across a gap with a NavMeshLink. Path stops at the edge. The link is configured correctly but the agent walks back the long way.

Visualize the Link

NavMeshLink shows in scene view as a colored line between two endpoints. Both endpoint markers should sit on solid navmesh (visible blue surface).

Disconnect symptom: gray endpoint = link can’t connect. Move it to be within AutoConnect Distance of valid navmesh.

Area Mask Alignment

Navigation Areas window: define areas (Walkable, Jump, Climb). Set the link’s Area Type. Then on agents:

agent.areaMask = NavMesh.GetAreaFromName("Walkable") | NavMesh.GetAreaFromName("Jump");

Or in Inspector: check both Walkable and Jump in agent’s Area Mask dropdown. Without Jump, the agent ignores Jump-area links.

Cost Tuning

If cost is too high, agent prefers a long walk to a short jump. Default jump cost is fine for most setups; check Navigation → Areas if you raised it.

Code-Driven Traversal

agent.autoTraverseOffMeshLink = false;

void Update() {
    if (agent.isOnOffMeshLink) {
        StartCoroutine(JumpAnimation(agent));
    }
}

IEnumerator JumpAnimation(NavMeshAgent a) {
    OffMeshLinkData data = a.currentOffMeshLinkData;
    float t = 0;
    while (t < 1) {
        t += Time.deltaTime;
        a.transform.position = Vector3.Lerp(data.startPos, data.endPos, t) + Vector3.up * Mathf.Sin(t * Mathf.PI);
        yield return null;
    }
    a.CompleteOffMeshLink();
}

Custom jump arc. Call CompleteOffMeshLink when done; resumes normal pathing.

Rebake

After any navmesh-affecting change, rebake (Navigation → Bake). Links don’t require rebake but endpoint validity does.

Verifying

Set destination across a gap. Agent walks, then jumps. Path visualization (NavMesh.CalculatePath) shows route uses the link.

“Links are opt-in by area mask. Make sure your agent is invited to use them.”

Use named areas religiously — ‘Jump’, ‘Climb’, ‘Swim’ — not generic Walkable. Naming reveals the intent of each link to anyone reading the scene.