Lately, I’ve observed an unusual font being utilized in all the web browsers (Chrome, Internet Explorer, MS Edge and Firefox) that I have installed on my Windows 10 computer. The font is only used for certain headings and not for the entire page.
I would greatly appreciate any assistance.
2 Answers
Introduction
Fonts play a crucial role in the appearance of any website. They can make a page look more elegant and professional or amateurish and unappealing. However, sometimes, we may come across strange fonts being applied to a website that we are browsing. In this blog post, we will discuss a common issue that Windows 10 users face with fonts being applied on all browsers. We will also look at ways to fix the issue.
The Issue
Recently, many Windows 10 users have noticed a strange font being applied across all the browsers installed on their workstations. This font is not applied to the body of the page, but to some headings. The font appears to be distorted and unappealing, making the website look unprofessional.
The issue is not limited to a particular browser. It is observed on all popular browsers like Chrome, Internet Explorer, MS Edge, and Firefox. The affected users have reported the issue on various forums seeking solutions to fix the problem.
The Cause
The cause of this strange font being applied on all browsers is due to the Windows 10 font cache. The font cache is a database that stores information about the fonts installed on the system. Whenever a font is used, the font cache is checked to see if the font is already loaded. If the font is not loaded, the font cache loads the font.
Sometimes, the font cache may become corrupt, leading to the application of the wrong font. This issue can be observed on all browsers, as they all rely on the font cache to load fonts.
The Solution
To fix the issue of the strange font being applied on all browsers in Windows 10, we need to clear the font cache. Clearing the font cache will force the system to rebuild the cache, which will fix any corrupt files in the cache.
Follow these steps to clear the font cache in Windows 10:
Step 1: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Step 2: Type “services.msc” in the Run dialog box and press Enter.
Step 3: In the Services window, scroll down and locate the “Windows Font Cache Service” option.
Step 4: Right-click on the “Windows Font Cache Service” option and select “Stop” from the context menu.
Step 5: Open File Explorer and navigate to the following location: C:WindowsServiceProfilesLocalServiceAppDataLocalFontCache.
Step 6: Delete all the files in the FontCache folder.
Step 7: Go back to the Services window and right-click on the “Windows Font Cache Service” option.
Step 8: Select “Start” from the context menu to restart the service.
Prevention
To prevent the issue of the strange font being applied on all browsers, we need to ensure that the font cache is not corrupted. Here are some steps to prevent the font cache from getting corrupted:
Step 1: Install the latest updates for Windows 10. Microsoft releases regular updates that fix bugs and improve the performance of the system.
Step 2: Install fonts from trusted sources only. Installing fonts from untrusted sources can lead to the installation of malware, which can corrupt the font cache.
Step 3: Use a reliable antivirus program to scan the system regularly. This will help in detecting and removing any malware that may be present on the system.
Step 4: Avoid installing too many fonts on the system. Installing too many fonts can slow down the system and increase the chances of the font cache getting corrupted.
Conclusion
Fonts are an essential aspect of website design, and any issues with fonts can affect the appearance of the website. The issue of the strange font being applied on all browsers in Windows 10 is a common problem faced by many users. The cause of the issue is a corrupt font cache, and the solution is to clear the cache. To prevent the font cache from getting corrupted, we need to follow some preventive measures, such as installing the latest updates, using reliable antivirus programs, and avoiding installing too many fonts. By following these steps, we can ensure that the fonts on our system are displayed correctly on all browsers.
After looking at the website screenshot you provided, it appears that the font used for their headings is Helvetica Neue, which could be causing issues. However, the body font is Cambria, which is not causing any problems.
There are a couple of potential reasons why Helvetica Neue is causing problems. First, it may be getting substituted because it is a commercial and licensed font that is not included with Windows by default.
It’s possible that you only have one variant of the font installed, such as the outline variant, and each browser is requesting that variant from the operating system. This could be more likely if you recently installed new software that came with its own fonts.
To fix this issue, you could try uninstalling or disabling the Helvetica Neue font by going into Settings > Personalisation > Fonts and searching for it. Alternatively, you could try installing the rest of the font family, if available.
The second possibility is that the font file is corrupted or there is a crossover issue. This could be more likely if you have licensed the font in the past. In this case, reinstalling the font and restarting your computer might fix the issue.
It might be a good idea to restart your computer before attempting any of these solutions, as there could be a problem with the font cache or other issues that could be affecting the font file.