How do I check if WebGL is enabled?

Run the check above. It reports WebGL 2 and WebGL 1 as available or not, which chip draws them, and whether the browser fell back to software.

Why does WebGL say SwiftShader or llvmpipe?

Those are software renderers: the processor draws instead of the graphics chip. The browser falls back to one when acceleration is off or the driver is blocked. Pages still work, slowly.

How do I enable WebGL in Chrome?

Chrome: Settings, System, turn on Use graphics acceleration when available, then Relaunch. If WebGL is still missing, update the graphics driver and look at chrome://gpu for what is disabled and why.

Does the stress test need WebGL?

Yes. Every graphics stage of the SystemCheck stress test draws with WebGL 2. In software, those stages run on the processor and read far below the machine's real graphics speed, and the report says so.

Why does my renderer say ANGLE?

ANGLE is the layer Chrome, Edge and Safari use to run WebGL on Direct3D, Metal or Vulkan. The chip's name is inside the brackets.

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WebGL test. Enabled, and on what?

WebGL is how a web page draws 3D on the graphics chip, and every graphics stage of the SystemCheck stress test needs WebGL 2. This check asks the browser for a WebGL 2 and a WebGL 1 context, reads which renderer draws them, asks once more in a way the browser refuses when it would draw in software, and lists the limits it reports.

One check · Instant

Asks for: Nothing. It runs in its own window and nothing leaves this page.

In short

WebGL test: the answer first

A WebGL test asks the browser for a WebGL 2 and a WebGL 1 context and reads which renderer draws them. This one also asks for a context the browser refuses when it would draw in software, so it can tell a graphics chip from a software fallback even where the renderer name does not say.

Reading your result

A renderer that names a chip: WebGL is drawing on the graphics chip. In Chrome and Edge the string also names the API underneath, such as Direct3D 11 or Metal.
SwiftShader, llvmpipe or Basic Render Driver: A software renderer: the processor is drawing. Turn acceleration on and update the driver.
A generic name: Some browsers round the renderer to a family name or give a generic one. That is the browser's privacy choice, not a fault.

What it measures

Measured here, not assumed.

WebGL 2 and WebGL 1: Whether the browser gives a context of each version, with the version strings it reports. WebGL 2 is what current 3D pages and the stress test need.
The renderer: The unmasked renderer string where the browser offers WEBGL_debug_renderer_info, otherwise the generic name it gives every page. In Chrome and Edge the string names the graphics API ANGLE draws through, such as Direct3D 11 or Metal.
Software rendering: Two signs: a renderer that names a software rasteriser (SwiftShader, llvmpipe, Microsoft Basic Render Driver), and a context asked for with failIfMajorPerformanceCaveat that the browser refuses, which is the browser saying it would draw in software.
Limits: The largest texture, render buffer and viewport, the shading language version, and the number of extensions offered.

If it fails

The usual failures, and what fixes each.

WebGL is not available: Turn on graphics acceleration in the browser's settings and restart it, then install the graphics driver from the chip maker. In Firefox, check that webgl.disabled is false in about:config.
WebGL runs in software: The browser has blocked the graphics chip, often for its driver, or acceleration is off. Update the driver, turn acceleration on, and read the reason under chrome://gpu or about:support.
Only WebGL 1 works: An old driver or graphics chip that WebGL 2 needs more from. Update the driver; on a very old chip, WebGL 2 may not be offered at all.

Where a browser stops

What it cannot tell you.

Graphics memory size and clocks, which WebGL does not give a page.
The exact model where the browser rounds the renderer string to a family name, as Firefox and Safari do.
Why a feature is disabled. chrome://gpu, edge://gpu or Firefox's about:support lists the reason.

Privacy

Nothing leaves this page.

The camera and microphone are read on this page and stopped as soon as they have been measured. The clip you can play back lives in the browser's memory and is discarded when you leave. The location check discards the position. The internet test sends random bytes to this site and nothing else. The result is stored nowhere unless you ask for it by email, and then only the fact that an email was sent is kept.

The privacy policy

Questions

WebGL test, answered

How do I check if WebGL is enabled?: Run the check above. It reports WebGL 2 and WebGL 1 as available or not, which chip draws them, and whether the browser fell back to software.
Why does WebGL say SwiftShader or llvmpipe?: Those are software renderers: the processor draws instead of the graphics chip. The browser falls back to one when acceleration is off or the driver is blocked. Pages still work, slowly.
How do I enable WebGL in Chrome?: Chrome: Settings, System, turn on Use graphics acceleration when available, then Relaunch. If WebGL is still missing, update the graphics driver and look at chrome://gpu for what is disabled and why.
Does the stress test need WebGL?: Yes. Every graphics stage of the SystemCheck stress test draws with WebGL 2. In software, those stages run on the processor and read far below the machine's real graphics speed, and the report says so.
Why does my renderer say ANGLE?: ANGLE is the layer Chrome, Edge and Safari use to run WebGL on Direct3D, Metal or Vulkan. The chip's name is inside the brackets.

Then test the machine itself. A free stress test, in the same browser.

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