Software, browsers & email

Text or fonts look wrong in browser or documents

Fonts that appear as boxes, wrong characters, or a generic substitute usually mean the required font isn't installed or the page/document is loading a font that failed. Installing the missing font or clearing the browser cache fixes most cases.

Difficulty
Easy
Time
5–15 minutes
DIY cost
$0

Symptoms

  • Text appears as boxes or question marks
  • Font looks different from what the page intended
  • Document shows a substitute font instead of the original
  • Some characters render fine, others don't

Likely causes

  • CommonRequired font not installed on your systemDocuments made on another computer can reference fonts you don't have.
  • CommonWeb font failed to loadA website's custom font can fail to download due to a connection issue or ad blocker.
  • PossibleBrowser cache serving an outdated font fileCached font data can become stale or corrupted.
  • PossibleMissing language support for certain charactersNon-Latin scripts sometimes need additional language packs installed.

What to do

  1. Reload the page or document to see if it was a one-time loading glitch.
  2. Clear your browser's cache and reload the site.
  3. If viewing a document, check whether the required font can be installed or embedded, or ask the sender to export it as a PDF instead.
  4. Install any needed language pack from your operating system's settings if specific characters show as boxes.
  5. Disable ad blockers or content blockers temporarily, since some block font-loading resources.
  6. Try viewing the page or document on a different device to confirm it's a local font issue.

Safety

Generally low risk

Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.

Related guides

Operator provides AI-generated troubleshooting information. It can be wrong. For safety-critical, electrical, gas, structural, medical, automotive safety, or other high-risk problems, consult a qualified professional.