# Path Tracer causes floor Decals to render black **URL:** \ **Category:** Feedback & Requests\ **Tags:** unreal-engine, question\ **Created:** [September 26, 2025, 8:55pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/path-tracer-causes-floor-decals-to-render-black/2660249 "2025-09-26T20:55:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![2Dios](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@2Dios](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/2Dios)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2025, 8:55pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/path-tracer-causes-floor-decals-to-render-black/2660249/1 "2025-09-26T20:55:52Z")
Using the Derelict Hallway Megascans project as a starting point, I’m building out some spaces for testing purposes. Lumen renders nicely, while Path Tracer is rendering out the floor decals as black planes (even the ones in the main default hallway turn black). Wall decals render correctly. (also noticing that PT removes the grunge in the windows) Any idea on what would be the best way to trouble shoot this? HALP! ![Question for UE](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/4/e/1/4e13bfb555f3125b1c1fffffedb5a2626c1ba485.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![SupportiveEntity](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@SupportiveEntity](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/SupportiveEntity)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2025, 7:47am UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/path-tracer-causes-floor-decals-to-render-black/2660249/2 "2025-10-01T07:47:54Z")
Hey there @2Dios! Welcome back to the community! There is a known issue with Path Tracer when it comes to things that adjust normals or WPO. This could be related: > [@UE5.5/5.6 Path Tracing Bug – Black Faces with Normal Adjustment Materials (FixRotateAboutAxisNormals, VAT, etc.)](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/ue5-5-5-6-path-tracing-bug-black-faces-with-normal-adjustment-materials-fixrotateaboutaxisnormals-vat-etc/2659129): > > Hi everyone, I’ve run into a reproducible issue in Unreal Engine 5.5/5.6 when using the Path Tracer. The problem: Any material that adjusts normals to complement world position changes (for example, using FixRotateAboutAxisNormals or similar setups) renders with black faces in Path Tracer. The same meshes and materials render perfectly fine in Lumen and rasterization modes. Any help, insights, or confirmation from others seeing the same would be greatly appreciated. Th… Do simple decals without offsets/normals work as expected? ---
**Author:** ![2Dios](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@2Dios](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/2Dios)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2025, 4:49pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/path-tracer-causes-floor-decals-to-render-black/2660249/3 "2025-10-02T16:49:09Z")
Huh. Well that’s good to know. Thank you! My personal new decals (with just albedo, normal, and opacity maps) work correctly in Path Tracer, and now the decals that were included in this pack just completely disappear when using Path Tracer mode. No more black planes, but just disappear. Hope this issue gets resolved soon! ---
**Author:** ![SupportiveEntity](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@SupportiveEntity](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/SupportiveEntity)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2025, 8:05am UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/path-tracer-causes-floor-decals-to-render-black/2660249/4 "2025-10-03T08:05:59Z")
Some changes are set to be pushed in 5.7 that may correct this issue. In the meantime it’s possible to simplify the material, or even rip out the internals for a new simplified material more in line with your others. If you build the engine, you could also cherry pick the fixes mentioned in that thread to check if they work for your use case.