How to Fix Corrupted Fonts in Windows (All Working Methods)

Joynul Abadin Rasel

October 05, 2025 October 05, 2025

Introduction

Are your fonts showing strange symbols, missing characters, or broken text on Windows? Corrupted fonts can make your system and applications look distorted — affecting Microsoft Word, browsers, Adobe apps, or even the entire Windows UI. Don’t worry! In this complete guide, we’ll show you all possible methods to fix corrupted fonts in Windows and restore your system’s default font settings.

Description

Font corruption usually happens after system updates, software conflicts, third-party font installations, or manual font folder modifications. When this happens, you might notice:

Fonts not displaying correctly
Missing text or weird symbols
System UI or app text appearing garbled
Windows themes or icons looking broken

By following this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to reset, repair, and reinstall fonts safely — without reinstalling Windows.

All Possible Methods to Fix Corrupted Fonts in Windows

Method 1: Restart Your Computer

A simple restart can reload the font cache and fix temporary glitches. Always try this before more advanced steps.

Method 2: Clear and Rebuild Font Cache

Corrupted font cache is one of the most common causes.

Press Win + R, type:
```
services.msc
```
Stop the Windows Font Cache Service and Windows Presentation Foundation Font Cache services.

Now navigate to:


C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\

Delete the following files (if available):
- FontCache.dat
- Any files starting with ~FontCache
Restart your PC — Windows will rebuild the font cache automatically.

Method 3: Reset Default System Fonts

Open Control Panel → Appearance and Personalization → Fonts.
On the left, click Font Settings.
Click Restore default font settings.
Restart your computer to apply changes.

Method 4: Reinstall Specific Corrupted Fonts

If only certain fonts are broken:

Open C:\Windows\Fonts.
Right-click the problematic font and select Delete.
Download a fresh copy from Microsoft or trusted sources (like Google Fonts).
Right-click the downloaded font → Install for all users.

Method 5: Use DISM and SFC Commands (System File Repair)

These tools fix system-level font corruption:

Open Command Prompt as Administrator.

Run:


DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

After that completes, run:
```
sfc /scannow
```
Restart once it finishes — this restores any damaged system fonts.

Method 6: Check for Problematic Third-Party Fonts

If you recently installed new fonts, one might be incompatible or corrupted.

Go to C:\Windows\Fonts.
Sort by Date modified.
Delete or temporarily move recently added fonts to another folder.
Restart and check if the issue is fixed.

Method 7: Re-register Font-Related DLL Files

Sometimes Windows font-related libraries become unregistered.

Open Command Prompt as Admin.

Run these commands one by one:


regsvr32 gdi32.dll
regsvr32 fontsub.dll
regsvr32 fontsmooth.dll
regsvr32 usp10.dll

Restart your system afterward.

Method 8: Install Pending Windows Updates

Font rendering bugs are often fixed in Windows updates.

Go to Settings > Windows Update.
Click Check for updates and install all available updates.
Restart your PC.

Method 9: Run the Font Troubleshooter (Manual)

Although Windows doesn’t have a dedicated font troubleshooter, you can use Maintenance Troubleshooter:

Press Win + R, type msdt.exe -id MaintenanceDiagnostic.
Follow on-screen instructions.
It fixes cache and permission issues automatically.

Method 10: Reinstall or Re-enable “Windows Fonts Feature” (Optional Feature)

Open Settings → Apps → Optional features.
Click View features.
Search for “Fonts” or “Windows Fonts” package.
Reinstall or enable it if missing.

Method 11: Use Safe Mode to Replace Fonts

Boot into Safe Mode (Shift + Restart → Troubleshoot → Startup Settings → Safe Mode).
Open the Fonts folder.
Delete corrupted fonts or copy default ones from another PC.
Restart normally.

Method 12: Restore Fonts from Windows Installation Source

If essential fonts are missing (like Segoe UI, Calibri, Arial):

Mount a Windows ISO or USB installer.
Extract default fonts from sources\install.wim or sources\install.esd.
Copy them to C:\Windows\Fonts.
Reboot your PC.

Method 13: Reset the Font Folder Permissions

Incorrect permissions may cause unreadable fonts.

Right-click C:\Windows\Fonts → Properties → Security → Advanced.
Ensure SYSTEM and Administrators have Full Control.
Apply and restart.

Method 14: Use Registry Fix (Restore Default Font Settings)

⚠️ Only use this if comfortable with Registry edits.

Open Run → type regedit.

Navigate to:


HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Fonts

Delete incorrect or duplicate entries.
Restart to reload default fonts.

Method 15: Perform a System Restore

If fonts got corrupted after a recent change:

Open Control Panel → Recovery → Open System Restore.
Choose a restore point before the issue occurred.
Follow on-screen steps to revert your system.

Method 16: Create a New User Profile

Font corruption may be user-specific.

Go to Settings → Accounts → Family & other users.
Add a new user account.
Log in with the new account and test if fonts display correctly.

Method 17: Reinstall Windows (Last Resort)

If none of the above fixes work, perform a repair install or clean reinstall. This will restore all default system fonts without affecting personal files (if you choose the repair option).

Watch Tutorial

Conclusion

Corrupted fonts can make your Windows experience frustrating, but the good news is — it’s fixable. From rebuilding the font cache and running DISM commands to restoring default fonts or reinstalling them manually, one of these methods will definitely resolve your issue. Try the quick fixes first, and if needed, use advanced repair tools or restore from backup.