Quick answer: Unity VFX Graph emitter inside an instantiated prefab spawning zero particles? VFX needs explicit Play after Instantiate when starting in stopped state - call Play in Start.

Death VFX prefab. Instantiated at runtime. No particles visible.

Call Play in Start

vfx.Play();

Most VFX Graph assets default to Play On Awake = false. The component needs the explicit Play.

Or enable Play On Awake

VFX asset settings > Initial Event Name > OnPlay. Plays automatically on enable.

Verify with VFX Control

Window > Visual Effects > VFX Control Panel. Inspect per-system state; stopped systems are visible.

“VFX Graph has explicit lifecycle. Spawn doesn't imply play.”

Build a 'SpawnAndPlay' helper for VFX. Wraps Instantiate + Play; bug class disappears.

Related reading