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

[KenWK]

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.

<Title renamed by MOD>

[Willi Adelberger]

What font type is not working?

[KenWK]

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.

[Abhishek Rao]

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 Sometimes, font display issues can be linked to outdated drivers or system software.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

[KenWK]

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?

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @KenWK,

Thanks for the update and for trying various solutions so far. Since the issue is affecting both InDesign and Illustrator on the same computer, it does seem likely that there could be a problem with the font cache or the font files themselves.

Some additional troubleshooting step that you can try:

1. Font Cache Reset:
   - Type "Control Panel" in Windows Search and press Enter.
   - Open the Fonts folder in the Control Panel.
   - Select all fonts and copy them to a folder on your desktop.
   - Delete the fonts from the Fonts folder.
   - Re-add fonts in batches from the desktop folder to the Fonts folder, launching the application each time. If the application fails to launch, the problematic font is likely among the ones you just added.

2. Check with a New Admin User Profile:
   - Create a new admin user profile on your computer and see if the issue persists. This can help determine if the problem is related to user-specific settings.
   - For instructions on creating a new user profile, refer to this guide: Manage user accounts in Windows - Microsoft Support

Hopefully, these steps will help identify the problematic font or settings. Let me know how it goes, and if you need further assistance, I’m here to help!

Best,  
Abhishek Rao

[KenWK]

We're considering uninstalling and running the Adobe CC Cleaner. It looks like the Cleaner will uninstall everything and we wouldn't have to do that seperately. Is that true? Will it also log out of the CC account that is being used?

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @KenWK,

Thanks for getting back to me. Running the Adobe CC Cleaner Tool is a good next step if the other solutions haven’t resolved the issue.

Yes, the tool will help you uninstall all Adobe Creative Cloud apps and clean up any residual files. However, it will also log out of the CC account in use, so you’ll need to sign back in afterward.

If you decide to proceed, just make sure to back up any custom settings or preferences. Once cleaned, you can reinstall the apps fresh, and hopefully, this resolves the font issue. Reference: Use the Creative Cloud Cleaner tool to solve installation problems (https://adobe.ly/3MF4ASc)

Let me know how it goes, and I’m here if you need any further help!

Best,  
Abhishek Rao

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@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? 

[KenWK]

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." :o)

Thanks for posting!

[Peter Spier]

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"?

[KenWK]

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 · Accepted solution]

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.

[KenWK]

[FACE PALM]

Brilliant, Peter!!! I looked for the Document Fonts folder to make sure of no duplicates / conflicts but never thought to try them there! That worked and he's psyched to be able to get his project done.

He says "Thank you, thank you, thank you!!"

I'm hoping to have him get things further sorted out and fix whatever the problem is with the font being installed in Windows but I'm not sure when that might happen.

Thanks also from me!

[Peter Spier]

Glad that worked.

It does sound like whatever version is installed onthe computer itself is corrupted and replacing it may be all that's necessary (he'll have to move or rename the one in Document Fonts to test).