Why doesn't my Light2D affect my sprite in URP 2D?

SpriteRenderer's material defaults to Sprite-Default which is unlit. Switch to Sprite-Lit-Default for the sprite to receive 2D lights, normals, and shadow.

Where do I set normal map?

In the Sprite Editor: Secondary Textures slot _NormalMap. Sprite-Lit-Default samples this for proper light direction. Without it, sprite is flat-lit.

Should I use 2D Renderer or Forward+?

For pure 2D games: 2D Renderer asset. For mixed 2D/3D: Forward+ with 2D lights via custom shader. Pick based on scene composition.

Fix: URP 2D Renderer Light Doesn't Affect Sprite

Quick answer: Switch SpriteRenderer Material to Sprite-Lit-Default. Add normal map via Sprite Editor secondary textures.

Place Light2D in scene. Sprite stays uniformly lit. Sprite-Default shader doesn’t sample 2D lights at all.

The Fix

SpriteRenderer:
  Material:           Sprite-Lit-Default

Sprite asset (Sprite Editor):
  Secondary Textures:
    Name:             _NormalMap
    Texture:          MyNormalMap

URP 2D Renderer asset (in Quality):
  Light Blend Styles: Multiply / Additive (4 slots)

Sprite-Lit-Default reads the lights via the renderer asset's Light Blend Styles. Normal map adds proper directional shading.

Verifying

Place Light2D near sprite. Visible illumination, falloff. Without lit shader: flat regardless.

“Lit material. Normal map. Lights apply.”

Related Issues

For Render Objects feature, see Render Objects. For URP feature order, see order.

Lit material. Lights flow.