Fixing RuneLite Visual Glitches On Linux/AMD

by Alex Johnson 45 views

Understanding the 117HD Artifacting Bug

Hey fellow RuneScape adventurers! Have you been experiencing some frustrating artifacting and visual glitches while enjoying the enhanced graphics of the 117HD plugin on your Linux/AMD setup? You're not alone! It seems like a few of us are running into this issue, and it's definitely something we want to get to the bottom of so we can get back to slaying dragons and skilling in style. This bug, as described by the original poster, manifests as significant visual distortions when the 117HD plugin is enabled. Imagine your beautiful, revamped RuneScape world suddenly looking like a chaotic mess of pixels – not exactly ideal for efficient questing or bossing. The user has described the problem they face as some significant artifacting and visual glitching. They are using the amdgpu-pro-oglp AUR package and running RuneLite via Bolt with progl bolt which is required to make the FPS acceptable. Using the legacy renderer fixes the artifacting but makes the FPS tank. This user has also confirmed that the GPU plugin does not have this issue. The problem seems to be linked to recent upstream changes in the GPU plugin, and it's believed that this issue started in the last month. To recreate the visual problems, simply open RuneLite, enable the 117HD plugin, and then prepare for the graphical chaos. Let's delve deeper into what could be causing these glitches and how we might fix them, to ensure that we can enjoy the HD visuals without sacrificing performance or visual clarity. Let's explore some potential causes, fixes, and workarounds to get you back to a smooth, visually stunning RuneScape experience. The 117HD plugin is a fan-made enhancement that aims to bring high-definition graphics to RuneScape. It's a fantastic addition for those who want to experience the game with a modern look and feel. However, like any third-party plugin, it can sometimes run into compatibility issues with different hardware and software configurations. The fact that the legacy renderer resolves the artifacting, but at the cost of performance, suggests that the problem likely lies within the interaction between the 117HD plugin, the user's AMD graphics drivers (amdgpu-pro-oglp), and the rendering pipeline used by RuneLite.

Potential Causes

Several factors could be contributing to the artifacting issue. One of the primary suspects is the compatibility between the 117HD plugin and the user's specific AMD graphics drivers. The amdgpu-pro-oglp drivers are known for their performance optimizations, but they can sometimes introduce unexpected behavior with certain applications. Another possibility is a conflict between the 117HD plugin and RuneLite's rendering engine, especially considering the recent updates to the GPU plugin. These updates may have introduced changes that are not fully compatible with the 117HD plugin, leading to the visual glitches. It is very important to consider that the operating system, the window manager and the Bolt Launcher could also be a possible reason for the reported issue, however, the fact that the GPU plugin does not have the same issue and the legacy renderer does fix the problem, makes it less possible.

Impact on Gameplay

The impact of this artifacting can be quite significant. The visual glitches can make it difficult to see what's happening in the game, which is especially problematic during combat. This can lead to missed clicks, inaccurate actions, and ultimately, a less enjoyable gaming experience. In addition to the gameplay issues, the artifacting can also be visually distracting and can cause eye strain after prolonged periods of play. Nobody wants to stare at a screen full of graphical errors while they're trying to escape the wilderness or complete a challenging raid! Overall, fixing these visual glitches is crucial for maintaining a smooth and enjoyable RuneScape experience.

Troubleshooting Steps and Solutions

Let's get down to the nitty-gritty and explore some potential solutions for this frustrating issue. Here are some steps you can take to try and resolve the artifacting and visual glitches you're experiencing.

Driver Updates and Downgrading

One of the first things you should do is check for updates to your AMD graphics drivers. Sometimes, newer drivers include fixes for known issues that can resolve compatibility problems. If you're already on the latest drivers, consider rolling back to a previous version to see if that resolves the issue. Sometimes, newer drivers can introduce new bugs that affect specific applications.

Plugin and Launcher Verification

Make sure your RuneLite client and the 117HD plugin are up-to-date. Outdated versions can often lead to compatibility problems. Verify the integrity of your RuneLite installation. Corrupted files can cause all sorts of unexpected behavior. Try reinstalling RuneLite or verifying the game files through the RuneLite client. Ensure that the Bolt Launcher is also up to date. An outdated launcher could potentially interfere with the rendering process.

Configuration Tweaks

Experiment with different graphics settings within RuneLite. Try adjusting the rendering settings, such as the OpenGL or DirectX renderer, to see if it makes a difference. Sometimes, changing the rendering mode can help to mitigate the artifacting. If you're using the Bolt Launcher, review its configuration options to see if there are any settings related to graphics or rendering that you can adjust.

Alternative Renderers and Compatibility Modes

As the original poster mentioned, the legacy renderer provides a workaround, but at the cost of performance. If performance is a major concern, explore alternative rendering options. If available, try different OpenGL profiles or compatibility modes within the Bolt Launcher. If the GPU plugin is working fine, consider using it instead of the 117HD plugin. This might be a viable solution until a fix for the 117HD plugin is released.

Community Collaboration and Reporting

If none of the above steps work, it's time to reach out to the RuneScape community. Report the issue on the RuneLite forums, GitHub, or any other platform where the developers and other users are active. Provide detailed information about your hardware, software, and the steps you've taken to troubleshoot the problem. Sometimes, other players may have experienced similar issues and found a solution that you haven't tried yet. The more information you can provide, the better the chances of getting help from the community or the developers. Consider providing logs or screenshots to show them what your issue looks like. This way, the support team can analyze the problem in greater detail. The combined knowledge and experience of the community can often lead to solutions that are not readily apparent.

Detailed Analysis of the Environment

  • Operating System: Ensure your Arch Linux installation is fully updated, this includes kernel updates. Updates may contain crucial fixes for graphics-related issues. Try different kernels if possible. Sometimes, specific kernels can have compatibility issues with certain hardware. The original report indicates the use of cachyos, a kernel optimized for performance, but it may not be fully compatible with the amdgpu-pro-oglp driver.
  • Window Manager: Hyprland, a Wayland compositor, is being used. Wayland compositors can sometimes have compatibility issues with certain applications. Test whether this issue also occurs in a different Wayland compositor (like Sway) or even an X11 environment (like Xfce) to see if the issue is with Hyprland.
  • RuneLite and Bolt Launcher versions: Regularly check for updates on both the client and the launcher. Outdated versions can cause compatibility problems with plugins and renderers. The original report doesn't explicitly mention how to check the RuneLite version, so I'll explain it: open the RuneLite client. Navigate to the settings menu. Usually, the version number will be displayed on the bottom-left. For the Bolt Launcher, check its settings or the command-line output when launching the client. The latest versions often contain fixes for rendering issues.
  • Driver version: Since the driver version is mentioned (amdgpu-pro-oglp), double-check the exact version installed. Compare it with the driver versions that are known to work well with RuneLite and the 117HD plugin in the community. Try updating to the latest driver. If this causes problems, consider downgrading to a previous version to check if this resolves the visual issues.

Advanced Troubleshooting

If you've tried the basic troubleshooting steps and are still experiencing issues, it's time to delve deeper into the problem. This section covers more advanced techniques to help you identify and resolve the artifacting and visual glitches. These methods require a bit more technical knowledge, but they can be crucial for pinpointing the root cause.

Log Analysis

Examine the RuneLite client logs. These logs often contain error messages or warnings that can provide clues about the cause of the artifacting. The logs are typically found in the RuneLite installation directory or a specific folder for user data. Check the logs for any errors related to the 117HD plugin, the rendering engine, or your graphics drivers. Search for keywords like