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Question

Variable Mode Rendering Mismatch After Library Swap

  • January 15, 2026
  • 3 replies
  • 41 views

Markus_Girlinger

Summary: After performing a Library Swap, frames with a specific variable mode ("Light") applied are rendering the incorrect mode ("Dark"), despite the UI indicating that the correct mode is selected.

Steps to Reproduce:

1. Open a file containing frames with variable modes applied (e.g., a "Light" mode from a specific Variable Collection).

2. Use the Swap Library feature to switch the source library to a new version/library with equivalent variables and modes.

3. Observe the frames that were previously set to "Light" mode.

4. Attempt to toggle the mode from "Light" to "Dark" and back to "Light" via the Layer panel.

Expected Behavior: Following the library swap, frames should correctly render the variables associated with the "Light" mode. If the UI says "Light," the visual output should match.

Actual Behavior: The frames render as "Dark" mode visually, even though the Layer settings panel explicitly shows "Light" as the active selection. Manually toggling the modes in the settings does not force a re-render.

Current Workaround: The issue is only resolved by the variable mode from the frame and then reapplying the variable mode "Light".

3 replies

Marcel_Fassonge

I have the exact same problem that when I swap a library, that all modes get lost and Figma is just using the first mode. We have to manually delete the “old” modes and re-apply the new modes. 


adamsmasher
Figmate
  • Figmate
  • May 29, 2026

Thanks for your reply, ​@Marcel_Fassonge, and hello original poster, ​@Markus_Girlinger!

 

This definitely sounds pretty frustrating, particularly if you have a lot of components using a mode that isn’t reflected on the canvas. After swapping a library, have you tried using “Regenerate all instances” in the action menu? Neither of you mentioned using it so I thought I’d check just to see. I’m also curious what happens if you close the file after the swap and re-open. Does it still reflect different on the canvas?

 

In the meantime, I’ve reached internally so I can get a bit more context and understanding of this on our side. 


adamsmasher
Figmate
  • Figmate
  • May 29, 2026

Hello again! I heard back from our team and I’m going to create a bug ticket for this. Can one or both of you share your file with support-share@figma.com with view access? This won’t change your billing but will allow us to inspect the file itself, and you can share it with me via a DM if you don’t want to post the link publicly. It will also be helpful to have any additional steps to reproduce that are different or not included in the original post. Once I’ve gotten this information, I’ll file the bug ticket with team.

 

Thanks so much to both of you!