Fixing CLIP Assertion Errors When Using Flux Models
If you're exploring Flux models on RunDiffusion and run into CLIP Assertion errors, you're not alone. This common issue is typically caused by not electing the correct encoder files—but thankfully, the fix is quick.
🔍 What Is a CLIP Assertion Error?
CLIP Assertion errors usually pop up when the model fails to properly link with a CLIP text encoder, causing interruptions during generation. It’s a compatibility hiccup that often occurs with models like those in the Flux series, especially when custom configurations are used.
✅ How to Fix It
To resolve this, check your VAE / Text Encoder settings and make sure the following files are selected:
ae.safetensors
clip_l.safetensors
t5xxl_fp16.safetensors

These components provide the necessary architecture support and text encoding needed for Flux models to function correctly. Custom checkpoints may require different text encoders so be sure to check their model pages for custom instructions.
💡 Why This Works
Flux models often rely on enhanced text encoders and custom latent spaces. The standard setup may not load these files automatically, which leads to assertion failures. By explicitly setting the encoders above, you align your environment with the model's expected input/output flows—eliminating the error.
📚 Further Reading