Fonts only displaying as outlines since upgrading to Firefox 13
I first noticed this issue after upgrading to Firefox 13. I've done a quick search on the forums but I'm not sure if anyone else is having the same issue as me. I'm running on an HP laptop, Windows 7.
A lot of text on websites is displaying as if only the outlines of each character are visible. The font on these forums is affected, so it might have something to do with specific fonts, as I do not have the problem on other sites.
As it's quite a hard thing to describe, I've included links to some screenshots here:
I've also noticed the problem on the BBC Food website, so whatever fonts these two sites use, it has the same problem.
I first noticed this when I was on the Java update screen (as FF13 said I should upgrade plugins). I updated Java, assuming that it was a Java based issue, but it must be something within Firefox.
Disabling "Allow websites to use their own fonts" fixes the issue, but everything is now in Times New Roman (as it's the default font).
As a test, I've tried the same websites in Internet Explorer (which I never use) and it works fine.
One final thing I guess I should mention - I do design work on my laptop sometimes and I have a Windows version of Helvetica (the standard Mac font). This hasn't caused any problems before, and I can't remove it as I need it for work!
Any advice would be really welcomed. I've had a quick look in the code for both websites and can't see anything font-wise that would suggest any problems.
Thanks,
Rob
Chosen solution
Ok, I've found a solution. There's some problem with the way Firefox detects Helvetica fonts (not just in Windows, but in OS 9 and OS X too). I have noticed that it renders the Helvetica-Neue font strangely (on Twitter) as it makes it very squashed and hard to read.
Here is the solution: http://www.keyvan.net/2010/10/helvetica-on-firefox/
The post advises to install an add on that allows a custom CSS script to run. Within this script, it forces Firefox to change any instance of Helvetica to Arial.
Works a treat! Thanks again for your help, I wouldn't have know about the font finding add on which led me to the solution.
Cheers,
Rob
Read this answer in context 👍 1All Replies (13)
You can use this extension to see which fonts are used for selected text.
You can do a font test to see if you can identify corrupted font(s).
Also check the default font setting or try different default fonts and disable website fonts as a test.
- Tools > Options > Content : Fonts & Colors > Advanced
- [ ] "Allow pages to choose their own fonts, instead of my selections above"
reinstall all fonts you can first. then, if problem persists, you may want to go to firefox 12. check font drivers, if any. hope other people can find solutions, i am not good with fonts except typing programs.
Hi both, thanks for your quick replies.
As said in my original post, I did disable website fonts under advanced settings and it did work.
I had just installed the fontinfo extension, restarted Firefox and it has actually fixed the issue! Bizarre. I can't see why doing this would work, but hopefully it's not just a temporary fix.
I'll post again if the issue reoccurs.
Once again, thanks for your help.
Rob
I spoke too soon!
I've just gone back onto the contributor forum page for Firefox and it's happened again. Now that I have the extension installed, it's come up saying that there is an additional font on the page:
Ppplduimwabbtxcvkgiqgijlwam CSS family: MetaBlack Source: @font-face
The other fonts are: Arial, Georgia, Georgia Italic, HelveticaNeue-BoldOutline, all of which are stored locally.
Please see attached screenshot.
pppduludium nonsense may be the problem. try get rid of it.
Not sure how I would do that? I think I saw something about @font-face not working properly on the latest version of FF?
I've just been on BBC iPlayer and the same thing has happened. I've checked under the page info, there are no remotely sourced fonts yet I'm having the same issue. See attached screenshot.
try fontfinder in mozilla. is a add on.
also, i guess you can live with bbc iplayer issue. for now.
Ok, I've found out what is causing the problem (well, to a point).
I've looked in my font folder and I do have the Helvetica Bold Outline font, so it is displaying correctly. However, for some reason, websites which are meant to be using Helvetica are using the outline version.
I don't want to uninstall the font (as I use it sometimes for work), so is there a way to stop Firefox loading this font specifically? It shouldn't be loading it at all, it should be loading Helvetica 45 Regular etc.
not as far as i know. however you can uninstall font then reinstall it.
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/879769/is-helvetica-a-browser-base-font
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1960201
hopefully some of these links will give you some insight on install.
Chosen Solution
Ok, I've found a solution. There's some problem with the way Firefox detects Helvetica fonts (not just in Windows, but in OS 9 and OS X too). I have noticed that it renders the Helvetica-Neue font strangely (on Twitter) as it makes it very squashed and hard to read.
Here is the solution: http://www.keyvan.net/2010/10/helvetica-on-firefox/
The post advises to install an add on that allows a custom CSS script to run. Within this script, it forces Firefox to change any instance of Helvetica to Arial.
Works a treat! Thanks again for your help, I wouldn't have know about the font finding add on which led me to the solution.
Cheers,
Rob
Sorry, MozillaFirefox911! I didn't see your post before I replied. Thanks for looking into it more me.
glad to help!
agh we do it at same time. oh well, thx anyway and good luck with the fonts!