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K
KenWK
Inspiring
September 9, 2024
Answered

Font Display Issue in InDesign: Thin Vertical Bars and Illegible Text on One Computer

  • September 9, 2024
  • 3 replies
  • 1706 views

I have a font that is not working in InDesign on just one computer. When the font is selected the type becomes illegible like it has no width and shows only thin black verical bars at the left of the text frame that is the selection. The font works properly on other computers. Other fonts from this same series work on the broken computer.

 

With odd font behavior ilke this in the past we've cleared all font caches and everything was OK, but that hasn't worked for this.

 

I've searched the hard drive for .lst files and removed them. Also stopped the Windows font chache service and deleted the files in the "FontCache*.dat" files from the C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local and C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\FontCache folders, but nothing's helped!

 

We've also uninstalled and re-installed InDesign.

 

Other ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

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This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Peter Spier

A workaround might be to create a Document Fonts folder (name is Case Sensitive) in the same folder where the .indd file is stored and copy the font from a working machine into that. InDesing SHOULD use that copy no matter what else is installed.

3 replies

Peter Spier
Community Expert
Peter SpierCommunity Expert
Community Expert
September 10, 2024

Any possibility that this is a font that is both installed in Windows and available through Adobe Fonts and that the programs are getting confused becuse two versions are "installed"?

K
KenWKAuthor
Inspiring
September 10, 2024

The font is proprietary, definately should NOT be available through Adobe Fonts.

 

As unlikely as it would have been, I did email him to check that so as to make sure it wasn't showing there by some strangness of whatever the university might be done to move his profile to the new computer. I haven't heard back yet.

 

Thanks for posting!

Peter Spier
Community Expert
Peter SpierCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
September 10, 2024

A workaround might be to create a Document Fonts folder (name is Case Sensitive) in the same folder where the .indd file is stored and copy the font from a working machine into that. InDesing SHOULD use that copy no matter what else is installed.

    Robert at ID-Tasker
    Robert at ID-Tasker
    Legend
    September 10, 2024

    @KenWK

     

    Is it a new / recent problem?

     

    Have you tried to replace this font - copy file from the working machine? 

     

    Have you searched your "broken" machine for other copies of this font? 

     

    K
    KenWKAuthor
    Inspiring
    September 10, 2024

    He's not used InDesign in a while and his university recently set him up with a new PC, honestly not sure whether he's tried InDesign with the new machine.

     

    All other questions are "yes." 🐵

     

    Thanks for posting!

    Willi Adelberger
    Community Expert
    Willi AdelbergerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 9, 2024

    What font type is not working?

    K
    KenWKAuthor
    Inspiring
    September 9, 2024

    OpenType PS. Again, the other three fonts from that family are working fine, but InDesign is confused in some way with this font. Personally I'm still leaning toward a chache somewhere but can't find it.

     

    Shoot, forgot to mention we also uninstalled and reinstalled InDesign.

    K
    KenWKAuthor
    Inspiring
    September 10, 2024

    Hi @KenWK,

     

    Thanks for the additional information. I understand how frustrating it can be to deal with font issues, especially when the problem is isolated to just one computer.

    Given that other fonts from the same family work fine and the issue persists despite clearing caches and reinstalling InDesign, you can try the following suggestions:

    1. Use a font validation tool to check for any issues with the OpenType PS font. 

     

    2. Ensure that the problematic font is properly installed on your system. Sometimes, reinstalling the font can resolve issues. You might want to try reinstalling the font from a fresh copy.

     

    3. In addition to clearing system font caches, try clearing InDesign’s cache. You can do this by deleting the InDesign cache files located at:
       - "Windows": 'C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local\Adobe\InDesign\Version [x.x]\Caches'

     

    4. Make sure your Windows OS and graphics drivers are up-to-date. Sometimes, font display issues can be linked to outdated drivers or system software.

     

    5. Create a new user profile on your computer and test if the issue persists there. This can help determine if the problem is related to user-specific settings.

     

    For more detailed troubleshooting steps, you can refer to this article: Troubleshoot font issues (https://adobe.ly/4gjPkYf)

     

    I hope one of these steps helps resolve the issue. If you continue to experience problems, please let us know, and we’ll be happy to assist further.

     

    Thank you, 
    Abhishek Rao


    Thanks for answering, Abhishek.

     

    I have been working remotely on this problem for someone and have tried everything here as well as a few things I know from previous version of InDesign.

     

    I just learned that Illustrator has the same problem with that particular font on that same computer. The reason I'm still thinking it has something to do with a cache of some sort is that the font in question has been in service since 2021 and is working fine on all other computers with the Adobe CC.

     

    Is there something you can recommend now that we know at least Illustrator is also affected?

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