BUG: 'Static' effect on textures. Drivers? How to fix?

[Apex]

Hello. I am having yet another texture/material related issue. I haven't been able to find this anywhere else on Steam or otherwise on the internet, so I've started a new discussion for this issue. Here is my problem:
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Valve recently pushed a patch that fixed the bright and shiny rock textures in the underground sections of the game. However, since that fix, I have experienced a new issue: buggy static-like effects on many of the floor-tile textures throughout the game. The effect in the screenshot below sort of 'jumps' to a new location and/or scale every frame, creating an effect that looks very similar to the 'no-signal static' effect on old CRT televisions. Needless to say, it's extremely distracting, and quite annoying.

Screenshot: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=908254430

I've tried lowering all settings, raising all settings, and using the command "mat_reloadallmaterials". I've also tried setting mat_specular 0" with no change to this effect.

If anyone has any ideas, please let me know. I'm working on creating a short gif of this effect, will link soon. Thanks for any and all help.
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EDIT: Gif available now:
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=908286918&fileuploadsuccess=1

[Apex]

It seems to be a reflection issue, but even with reflections and all effects totally disabled, this 'static' is still present.

[PhilH]

Hey. Did you ever solve this? I'm having the same problem... last time I played Portal 2 was in summer 2016 and I never had such issues (on the same computer).

Anyone have more info?

Thanks

[Apex]

I have not solved this issue. I played through the entire game again, something I have a tradition of doing every two to three years (so that i forget most of the puzzle solutions!). I only saw this buggy effect in the very early and very late section of the game, except for a few instances spread pretty evenly throughout the game.

I am still looking forward to a fix for this issue, though I am not actively searching for one. If I do find one, I'll post it here for everyone to see.

I don't know my exact specs but if anyone needs them for a potential solution, I'll be happy to dig up that info. My guess is that this is an issue related to drivers, but it doesn't occur on specific textures in-game, and doesn't occur in custom maps AT ALL (at least in my experience).

[PhilH]

Thank you very much for your detailed answer! I am also replaying the game (it's only my 2nd ever playthrough though, I don't have as many hours as you haha) and noticed the glitch early game. In fact, I originally noticed it in co-op when playing with a friend. I have not tried custom maps yet.. thanks for the info.

As for me if it's useful, basically I'm on an i5 2500k and using a GTX970, with latest drivers.

By the way: lowering the shader quality to MEDIUM or lower fixes the issue for me. However, it makes the shadows look quite terrible imo so I've decided to endure the static textures and use very high shaders.

[Apex]

I'm unable to remove the static no matter what settings are lowered. The flickering is more intense on higher settings, but I like my dynamic lighting and I've never been prone to motion sickness anyway, so it isn't THAT big of an issue, I guess.

If you find a solution, be sure to share it with us! I'll do the same if I find one. Every update breaks this game a little more, lol.

[PhilH]

Hmmmm, that's odd. I would've thought that if reducing the shader worked for me, it would have worked for others. Hmmm. Perhaps a graphics driver update or a Portal 2 update will fix this. Or break it even more. Haha

[Warmo]

I'm having the same issues, for a second I lost it because I thought my GPU was dying!

[PhilH]

Oh well, it seems like I'm not the only one eh.

Lowering shader quality DID help for me personally, but it makes the game look quite bad so I decided to suffer the effects and keep the shader on max.

I suspect it's a combination of graphics drivers + a Portal 2 update (the latest one)??? What graphics hardware do you guys have? I'm on nvidia.. GTX970

[Warmo]

I have a 980ti on pretty recent drivers, never had a issue like this in a source game before, the fix the did must have been a wierd one

(is it a nvidia only thing??)

[PhilH]

I've only played CS:GO a few times ages ago so I can't comment on other source games, I really only use Portal 2... but I know the last time (which was the first) I played the Portal 2 story, summer 2016, I never had such issues. Hmmm. Maybe a nvidia thing.

[Apex]

I'm also running Nvidia, but the system information only says 'GeForce GPU'. (Wow, how informative! -_-)

I'm using a first-generation Alienware Alpha with an Intel i3 (quad-core i believe) running Windows 8.1 (which I hate).

I first noticed the issue almost immediately after valve released a fix the the 'slimy white rocks' in the underground sections of the game.

[MaddDoktor [Linux]]

I have never noticed that issue in Linux. I just played it through a 2nd time with GTX 1060. I thought I read that it had something to do with shaders, but would have to search posts for details.

[PhilH]

Hmmm odd. Hopefully we get many people with this same issue together and eventually our graphics drivers / Portal 2 gets updated to fix this.

[Warmo]

It is %100 a shaders issue (Maybe how the GPU's memory works with the game)
I know that if you play around with the test chamber builder, load a old map and not build it before playing (Or somthing) The lighting doesnt process and you get white reflections (Sounds like the same issue with the rock walls)

[PhilH]

Hmmm okay interesting find. Maybe I can mess around with Nvidia inspector settings a bit and see if I can somehow prevent the glitch from occurring.