Known Participant

Question

Can't change the font of text, keep getting an error: After Effects warning: cannot create font [insert font]

Forum|Forum|21 days ago
July 8, 2026
8 replies
72 views

Whenever I click the dropdown to change the font for text, it glitches, won't let me, and says that error, "After Effects warning: cannot create font [insert font]" (a few different fonts have been cited). I'm by no means talented with this software, I'm a Premiere woman, but I've tried all the basics. Trash preferences, clear cache, new project, restart AE, restart computer, etc. Is anyone familiar with this error?

davidwarner11t

Participating Frequently

This usually points to a font issue rather than your project. Try removing or reinstalling the affected fonts and check for duplicate font files. Also share your After Effects version and OS, as that can help identify the cause.

K

karenvideoeditorAuthor

Known Participant

I did below, I can’t edit the post.

- Windows 11
- AE version is 26.3.0 (Build 87)

I’ve removed every font from my system except system fonts, and deleted the cache from both Windows and Adobe.

Nishu Kushwaha

Community Manager

Thanks for getting back. Please try uninstalling the font. If that doesn’t help, try running After Effects in Safe Mode. Here’s how: https://community.adobe.com/t5/after-effects-discussions/how-to-troubleshoot-startup-issues-in-after-effects-using-the-startup-repair-options/td-p/13866327

Let me know how it goes.

Thanks,

Nishu

K

karenvideoeditorAuthor

Known Participant

I tried both those things. Safe Mode doesn’t help and it just moves onto the next font.

Nishu Kushwaha

Community Manager

As a test, could you try this:

Open the Windows Fonts folder (C:\Windows\Fonts).
Move all the fonts to a different location (e.g., a folder on your desktop). This uninstalls any externally installed fonts. The preinstalled Windows fonts are system-protected and won't move.
Launch After Effects and see if the behavior changes.

This will narrow down whether a corrupted or problematic font is the cause. Let me know the outcome.

Thanks,

Nishu

Nishu Kushwaha

Community Manager

Hi karenvideoeditor, this class of error usually traces back to a corrupted font somewhere in your system rather than an AE issue. When AE tries to enumerate all your fonts for the dropdown, one bad font in the mix trips it up. A few things worth trying:

Check Adobe Fonts. Open the Creative Cloud desktop app > Fonts. If any Adobe Fonts show as partially synced or in an error state, deactivate them and reactivate. Partially synced fonts are the most common cause of this exact error.
Are you using a third-party font manager (RightFont, Extensis Suitcase, FontBase, etc.)? If yes, temporarily disable it and see if the issue clears.

A few details that would help narrow it down further if the above doesn't resolve it:

Your OS (macOS or Windows) and version.
Your exact AE version.
Is it happening with a specific font or all the fonts?
Are you able to change fonts inside Prmiere? Is that working well?

Let me know.

Thanks,

Nishu

K

karenvideoeditorAuthor

Known Participant

All the fonts in Adobe Fonts look fine.
I have one, but I only open it every once in a while. High-Logic Main Type. Do I need to uninstall it?

- Windows 11
- AE version is 26.3.0 (Build 87)
- I don't know about all the fonts, but it doesn't stick to just one when it reports an error
- Yes, Premiere is working well

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