Small squares randomly replacing characters

Sicard

W10 MSI laptop,  i7 9750H - 8 GB RAM - 128 GB SSD + 1 TB HDD:

For some reason lately some characters switch from normal to little squares making reading impossible. This applies to any writing on screen whether online or not. A reboot usually fixes this issue. I've run malware scans, run sfc scans, even run a DISM command. The only thing that rectifies this is a reboot.
Any ideas?

TIA

Mark_d

Sounds like it's an issue with the fonts on your computer.  Perhaps the font files are corrupted.  The solution would depend on what operating system you're using but Google can probably help if you search for "corrupted fonts on Windows 10"  ...

Neil_Jones

Sicard said:

W10 MSI laptop,  i7 9750H - 8 GB RAM - 128 GB SSD + 1 TB HDD:

For some reason lately some characters switch from normal to little squares making reading impossible. This applies to any writing on screen whether online or not. A reboot usually fixes this issue. I've run malware scans, run sfc scans, even run a DISM command. The only thing that rectifies this is a reboot.
Any ideas?

TIA

Does this happen in specific applications or does it happen in all of them?

Does the issue clear if you scroll down (or up), or change the window, or does it get worse and you get like a "tear" effect down the window?

If it happens in all applications and you get a tear effect, that suggests a GPU issue.

If it only happens in certain applications and it doesn't tear down, that's usually a driver issue.

If you connect the laptop to a TV or a monitor, does the issue follow with it?

Sicard

I'll try the fonts route first and if it's not cured I'll go the other route.

Sicard

I tried the fonts route which partially worked. Then I reinstalled an updated the GPU driver which worked better. Now I rarely get the problem. I think I'll have to reinstall W10 to completely cure it but I'm loathe to do that as I've got so many good apps I got from the FreeGiveAways site which will disappear.
Thanks for your help.

HillStreetBlues

Have you tried to changing to a different font?

Sicard

HillStreetBlues said:

Have you tried to changing to a different font?

That sounds a good idea but I'm not sure how to do it. I think it involves amending the registry.

HillStreetBlues

Sicard said:

HillStreetBlues said:

Have you tried to changing to a different font?

That sounds a good idea but I'm not sure how to do it. I think it involves amending the registry.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Fonts]
"Segoe UI (TrueType)"=""
"Segoe UI Bold (TrueType)"=""
"Segoe UI Bold Italic (TrueType)"=""
"Segoe UI Italic (TrueType)"=""
"Segoe UI Light (TrueType)"=""
"Segoe UI Semibold (TrueType)"=""
"Segoe UI Symbol (TrueType)"=""

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\FontSubstitutes]

"Segoe UI"="Segoe Print"

Copy all the above text into notepad and name it font. Then change extension  from .txt to .reg
Now right click it and select merge. then  yes then ok. then restart
I have selected Segoe Print you can change that to the font you want by replacing the emboldened font above with the font of your choice.
If you don't like the font you have chosen then just rename extension back to .txt   change font  then rename it back to .reg and repeat the above.

Settings, Personalisation, Fonts  will give you the choice of fonts.

Sicard

Thanks for your help. I've been quite busy. I'll have to psyche myself up to attempt that as it's outside my comfort zone.

Sicard

HillStreetBlues said:

Sicard said:

HillStreetBlues said:

Have you tried to changing to a different font?

That sounds a good idea but I'm not sure how to do it. I think it involves amending the registry.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Fonts]
"Segoe UI (TrueType)"=""
"Segoe UI Bold (TrueType)"=""
"Segoe UI Bold Italic (TrueType)"=""
"Segoe UI Italic (TrueType)"=""
"Segoe UI Light (TrueType)"=""
"Segoe UI Semibold (TrueType)"=""
"Segoe UI Symbol (TrueType)"=""

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\FontSubstitutes]

"Segoe UI"="Segoe Print"

Copy all the above text into notepad and name it font. Then change extension  from .txt to .reg
Now right click it and select merge. then  yes then ok. then restart
I have selected Segoe Print you can change that to the font you want by replacing the emboldened font above with the font of your choice.
If you don't like the font you have chosen then just rename extension back to .txt   change font  then rename it back to .reg and repeat the above.

Settings, Personalisation, Fonts  will give you the choice of fonts.

I did all that but the typeface isn't right for me. I tried to then change it to Times New Roman but it remained at Segoe. How do I change it?

Sicard

It's okay, I figured it out. You have to keep the 'Segoe UI' part to tell the reg to change it from W10 default font to whatever.