Fixed: Bad Font Object or Font Descriptor Object Error in PDF

The font is an essential element in the PDF. It ensures that the text displays properly regardless of the viewer’s system fonts. However, sometimes you can encounter PDF font problems like the bad font object or font descriptor object error.

PDF error: bad font often happens while the viewing or printing system is missing or has corrupted the font used in the file. A user from acrobatusers.com shared his experience on the forum.

I created a form by making the “base” in InDesign (lots and lots of type), saving as pdf and then adding fields on top of it. I am on a Mac using Acrobat 9 and Creative Suite 4. At the end of the process, when the user downloads their completed pdf, this message “Bad font object or font descriptor object” appears. It does not prevent printing the file, but it's annoying.https://acrobatusers.com/forum/general-acrobat-topics/bad-font-object-or-font-descriptor-object/

Fix 1: Ensure that Fonts Are Installed

Before trying other methods, you should ensure that fonts used in the PDF have been installed on the system where you view or print the document. Search for Fonts in the search bar or open Control Panel and navigate to Appearance and Personalization > Fonts.

Then you can access the Fonts control panel and see if there are fonts installed on Windows. Alternatively, you are able to locate the Windows Fonts folder (C:\\Windows\\Fonts) to view installed fonts. If no fonts are installed, you should install them by following the instructions below.

1. Download the font files.
2. If the font files are zipped, extract them by right-clicking on the .zip folder and hitting Extract.
3. Right-click the desired fonts and click Install.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

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Fix 2: Use the Print Option

Some users found that using the Print option sometimes works for the bad font object or font descriptor error. You can have a try! Click on the Print option and then choose Save as PDF. After that, follow the prompted instructions to end the operation.

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Fix 3: Check for Corrupted Fonts

Once fonts are corrupted, you can encounter the bad font object or font;descriptor object error. Given that fact, you’d better use a font validator to check if your fonts are corrupted. For instance, you can make use of font validator on Monotype to check if there are corrupted fonts in your PDF.

After you find corrupt fonts, delete them and then reinstall them again. Then perform the operation that triggered the error before to check if this method works.

In addition to professional font validators, some signs also show you the truth. If your PDF has the following symptoms, it indicates that fonts are corrupted.

• The PDF prompts unexpected formatting issues.
• The PDF displays strangely (with unusual characters or symbols).

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Fix 4: Create the PDF from Scratch

If none of the above methods work, consider creating the PDF from scratch. It’s highly recommended that you use MiniTool PDF Editor to do that. It allows you to create PDFs from blank, image, file, CAD, and scanner, offering you multiple choices. You can select a way to create the PDF.

What’s more, it also enables you to convert files like Word, Excel, PPT, image, XPS, CAD, EPUB, TXT, HTML, PDF/A, and Markdown to PDF. This is a simple way to create PDFs. In this scenario, you should use the Create feature.

Download, install, and launch MiniTool PDF Editor on your computer. Then click on the Create option in the left pane and choose a manner in the elevated window. After that, create PDF as you like.

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Wrap Things Up

Up to now, 4 available methods for bad font object or font descriptor object error have been shown to you. Now, it’s your turn to make a choice. Select a way to troubleshoot PDF error: bad font from the post.