ArialMT font missing

[steveh55258381]

I have a customer that's on Adobe Acrobat Reader 2019.012.20040, with Windows 10 Pro x64 Version 1809, and when he tries to open a certain document, he gets the following error:

"Cannot find or create the font 'ArialMT'. Some characters may not display or print correctly."

So far, the user has uninstalled and reinstalled Adobe Acrobat Reader, his computer was wiped and re-imaged with a new Windows 10 baseline, we've added the ArialMT TrueType font file to Windows 10, and he's installed the DC Font Pack (my suggestion):

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC Font Pack (Continuous) - For Acrobat Reader DC version 19.x

But he's still getting the error.  Are there any suggestions as to resolve his issue?  Thanks.

[my_8877]

I do not even have this option in Preferences for Acrobat Reader 2024.004.20272 64-bit, which seems to be the latest version since no update is available.

Like everyone else in this thread, I am encountering this error trying to open a document sent to me.  Every other PDF reader has no problem rendering the document; it's just Adobe that seemingly cannot correctly handle the document format that they invented!  (I find that generally Acrobat Reader is a lousy application that freezes and crashes regularly...)

[burgeida · Accepted solution]

Hey everyone,

This issue has been persisting in our office still in 2024, but we were able to find a fix. The issue was only visible in Acrobat Reader, and was not present in Foxit Reader, Bluebeam Revu, Edge, or Chrome (did not test Acrobat Pro).  I was using Adobe Acrobat Reader v.2023.008.20533 64-bit.  See my error example attached.

The issue seems to stem from Autocad generated pdfs created on a seat of Autocad that has migrated settings from an older version of the program.   Stan5CD2's is mostly correct, but newer version of Autocad have a slightly different workflow.  See my attached ArialMT Fix Steps.    Even if the "Capture fonts used in the drawing" box is checked, it is important to uncheck the box and check it again to properly edit he .pc3 file.

[Mark315980562fse]

You're assuming that this is only apparent in AudoCad generated PDF's.  For me this is not the case.  I often have this issue with PDF's from other sources.

To be clear, I do have CAD software on my computer, but I experience this issue with PDF's from many sources.

[burgeida]

Yeah, you are correct. Based on how we fixed it, I dont think it is a program specific issue, but an issue with pdf printers/exporters, possibly older ones that dont differentiate between Arial and Arial MT.

Try creating the effected pdfs with different methods and see if the issue persists.   Use "print to pdf" if you were exporting to pdf, or vice versa.   See if you can play with the options in your pdf printer to capture fonts or select a different pdf printer entirely.   If you dont have a second PDF printer on your computer, you could download Cute PDF Writer, it is not my favorite, but it is free.  I know this is a lot of messing around, but it could help localize the problem.

Although this issue originates outside of Acrobat, I by no means think this lets Adobe off the hook.  The most basic requirement of a PDF reader is to read PDfs easily, and no other reader I tried had this issue.   Other programs have figured this out, so I think Adobe can as well.

[Ondřej Topolánek]

Hello,
I had a similar problem and solved it using Affinity Designer v2.4. Opened the PDF in it and then re-saved as a PDF. After that Acrobat opened it with no problem with missing fonts.

[Adam375609698z2e]

I'm also getting the same issue. Was this ever fixed?

[balanced_Whisper2405]

I have the same problem. Opening the document in Firefox or some other PDF reader solves the problem. 

[Amal.]

Hi there 

Hope you are doing well, and thanks for reaching out. 

Would you mind sharing whether this is an issue with a particular PDF file or with all the PDFs? Please try with a different PDF file and check. If it's a file-specific issue, please share the PDF file in question with us so we can check it at our end.

Share a small video recording of the steps you are taking and the issue as it occurs, along with the error message (if any) for more clarity.

Also, make sure the Acrobat Reader is updated to the latest version 25.01.205XX. Go to Help > Check for updates and reboot the computer once. 

[balanced_Whisper2405]

I am using Reader version 2025.001.20458 

The pdf is a signed contract that was e-signed and sent from Docusign in March of 2025. The error message when I try to open in Acrobat Reader was that a font was not found, Arial MT. Substantial amounts of text were missing, large blank areas in the document with empty lines.  Opening the same file with Firefox did not encounter any issues. 

[S. S]

Hi @balanced_Whisper2405,

Sorry for the trouble with viewing PDF files.

Let's understand why this happens:

• DocuSign PDFs sometimes use fonts like Arial MT without fully embedding them.

• Acrobat Reader strictly follows the PDF spec, and if a font is not embedded, it tries to substitute it—but if the font isn't installed on your system, it renders blank spaces or missing text.

Now, for the fix, you can check:

• Make sure Arial MT is installed. If you're on Windows, this font might be available through older Office installations or system fonts.

• If it is not available, try copying Arial MT from another machine that has it installed or downloading it from Google Search.

Let us know how it goes.

Regards,
Souvik.

[burgeida]

Hey Souvik,

Thank you for the breakdown on the issue, I think it helps with understanding the root causes.   

You mention that when the font is not embedded, Acrobat ties to substitute it.   Is there a programing rule Adobe can put on the back end to make Arial (opentype) an acceptable substitute when a file calls for Arial MT?  I understand initating a fix like this can start a game of whack-a-mole with similar issues, but I would raise two points as to why it should be considered for this case.

1. As far as I can tell (and I am not a graphic designer, nor proficient in code), the two fonts are formally identical, so it shouldn't mess up a document too terribly if they are substituted.

2.  Based on the traction this 6 year old thread continues to have, this still seems to be a reletively pervassive issue.

Thank you for looking into this, and I hope the team at Adobe will consider this in their roadmap for future updates!

[S. S]

Hi @burgeida,

Great suggestion!

Would you mind adding this to our feature request form here: https://adobe.ly/4lGQG1h;

This ensures that your feedback reaches the development team directly for review and future implementation.

Also, once added, please share the link to the post here, so other users with similar feedback can add their upvotes, for better impact.

Regards,
Souvik.

[Anson-Teoh85]

I had test and fixed just follow below :-

Section Plot

-properties, go to section device & documents setting

-custom properties, under section font handling select capture all & tick "as geometry" 

Last step, click on OK

Should be fix the issue

[my_8877]

Like everyone else in this thread, I am encountering this error trying to open a document sent to me.  Every other PDF reader has no problem rendering the document; it's just Adobe that seemingly cannot correctly handle the document format that they invented!  (I find that generally Acrobat Reader is a lousy application that freezes and crashes regularly...)

Stop making excuses, stop telling us to change how the documents are produced (which we mostly will obviously have no control over), tell the devs to pull their fingers out and just fix it already!

[positive_visionary5C18]

Ran into this same issue, After a machine was upgraded to win11 and latest office, so clean setup. After doing a bit digging down the Rabbit whole. Arial MT is not included with windows anymore and Microsoft has moved to cloud fonts in MS Office/Windows. Cloud fonts in Office - Microsoft Support 

Found that if you open any MS Office app and select some text and go to the font list you will see the Font with a Cloud Download Icon. After selecting the font once it seems to get downloaded and the pdf files are now working in Adobe Reader.

Hope this helps at least one other person 🙂