Fix the Most CommonUnity Errors Like a Pro

02. MissingReferenceException

🔴 Runtime Error

It’s Similar to Null, but sneakier. A MissingReferenceException means you once had a valid reference to a GameObject or Component — but that object was destroyed at runtime, yet your code still holds a pointer to it.

MissingReferenceException: The object of type 'GameObject' has been destroyed but you are still trying to access it.

EnemyAI.Update () (at Assets/Scripts/EnemyAI.cs:38) Your script should either check if it is null or you should not destroy the object.

✅ Fix: Check before use

void Update() { // Unity overloads == null to catch destroyed objects if (target != null) { ChaseTarget(target); } }

💡 Pro Tip

If you destroy a GameObject, set any external references to null immediately after: Destroy(enemy); enemy = null;