How to Clear the Font Cache in Batch Script

Font Rendering Pipeline:
  Application requests font → Font Cache Service checks cache
    ├── Cache hit:  Return cached glyph data (fast)
    └── Cache miss: Read from C:\Windows\Fonts → render → cache → return

When cache is corrupt:
  Application requests font → Cache returns garbage data
    → Wrong characters, boxes, or rendering failures

@echo off
setlocal

echo ============================================================
echo   Windows Font Cache Repair Utility
echo ============================================================
echo.

:: Check admin rights
net session >nul 2>&1
if errorlevel 1 (
    echo [ERROR] This script must be run as Administrator. >&2
    echo Right-click and select "Run as administrator." >&2
    endlocal
    exit /b 1
)

echo [OK] Running with administrator privileges.
echo.

:: =============================================
:: Step 1: Stop font cache services
:: =============================================
echo [1/4] Stopping font cache services...

:: Stop the primary font cache service
net stop FontCache >nul 2>&1
sc query FontCache 2>nul | findstr /i "STOPPED" >nul 2>&1
if not errorlevel 1 (
    echo   [OK] FontCache stopped.
) else (
    echo   [RETRY] FontCache did not stop immediately. Waiting...
    timeout /t 5 /nobreak >nul
    net stop FontCache >nul 2>&1
    sc query FontCache 2>nul | findstr /i "STOPPED" >nul 2>&1
    if not errorlevel 1 (
        echo   [OK] FontCache stopped (after retry^).
    ) else (
        echo   [WARNING] FontCache could not be stopped. >&2
        echo   Close all applications and try again, or reboot. >&2
    )
)

:: Stop the WPF font cache service
net stop "FontCache3.0.0.0" >nul 2>&1
sc query "FontCache3.0.0.0" 2>nul | findstr /i "STOPPED" >nul 2>&1
if not errorlevel 1 (
    echo   [OK] WPF Font Cache stopped.
) else (
    :: This service may not exist on all systems
    sc query "FontCache3.0.0.0" >nul 2>&1
    if errorlevel 1060 (
        echo   [INFO] WPF Font Cache service not found (normal on some systems^).
    ) else (
        echo   [WARNING] WPF Font Cache could not be stopped. >&2
    )
)

echo.

:: =============================================
:: Step 2: Delete font cache files
:: =============================================
echo [2/4] Deleting font cache files...

set "Deleted=0"
set "Failed=0"

:: Location 1: Main font cache directory
set "CacheDir1=%WinDir%\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\FontCache"
if exist "%CacheDir1%\" (
    for %%f in ("%CacheDir1%\*.*") do (
        del /f /q "%%f" 2>nul
        if not exist "%%f" (
            set /a "Deleted+=1"
        ) else (
            set /a "Failed+=1"
            echo   [FAIL] %%~nxf >&2
        )
    )
    echo   [OK] FontCache directory processed.
) else (
    echo   [INFO] FontCache directory not found, may use alternative location.
)

:: Location 2: Font cache subdirectories (FontCache-S-1-5-*, etc.)
for /d %%d in ("%WinDir%\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\FontCache-*") do (
    for %%f in ("%%d\*.*") do (
        del /f /q "%%f" 2>nul
        if not exist "%%f" set /a "Deleted+=1"
    )
)

:: Location 3: Boot-time font cache
if exist "%WinDir%\System32\FNTCACHE.DAT" (
    del /f /q "%WinDir%\System32\FNTCACHE.DAT" 2>nul
    if not exist "%WinDir%\System32\FNTCACHE.DAT" (
        echo   [OK] FNTCACHE.DAT deleted.
        set /a "Deleted+=1"
    ) else (
        echo   [FAIL] FNTCACHE.DAT could not be deleted. >&2
        set /a "Failed+=1"
    )
)

echo.
echo   Files deleted: %Deleted%  Failed: %Failed%

:: =============================================
:: Step 3: Restart font cache services
:: =============================================
echo.
echo [3/4] Restarting font cache services...

net start FontCache >nul 2>&1
sc query FontCache 2>nul | findstr /i "RUNNING" >nul 2>&1
if not errorlevel 1 (
    echo   [OK] FontCache started, cache rebuild initiated.
) else (
    echo   [WARNING] FontCache did not start. It may start after a reboot. >&2
)

net start "FontCache3.0.0.0" >nul 2>&1

:: =============================================
:: Step 4: Verify and report
:: =============================================
echo.
echo [4/4] Verification...

:: Check if the service recreated the cache directory
if exist "%CacheDir1%\" (
    echo   [OK] FontCache directory recreated by the service.
) else (
    echo   [INFO] Cache will be rebuilt as applications request fonts.
)

echo.
echo ============================================================

if %Failed% equ 0 (
    echo   [OK] Font cache cleared successfully.
) else (
    echo   [WARNING] Some files could not be deleted (%Failed% failures^).
    echo   A system reboot may be needed to complete the cleanup.
)

echo.
echo   Font rendering should improve after the rebuild.
echo   If issues persist, reboot the computer to fully reset.
echo.
echo ============================================================

:: Log the operation
for /f "delims=" %%t in (
    'powershell -NoProfile -Command "Get-Date -Format ''yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss''"'
) do echo [%%t] FONT CACHE RESET: %Deleted% deleted, %Failed% failed on %COMPUTERNAME% by %USERNAME% >> "%~dp0font_cache_repair.log"

endlocal
exit /b 0

@echo off
setlocal

echo [INFO] Extended font cache cleanup (system + applications)...
echo.

net session >nul 2>&1
if errorlevel 1 (
    echo [ERROR] Administrator privileges required. >&2
    endlocal
    exit /b 1
)

:: =============================================
:: System font cache (Method 1 logic)
:: =============================================
echo [ACTION] Clearing system font cache...

net stop FontCache >nul 2>&1
net stop "FontCache3.0.0.0" >nul 2>&1
timeout /t 3 /nobreak >nul

:: Delete system caches
del /f /q "%WinDir%\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\FontCache\*.*" 2>nul
for /d %%d in ("%WinDir%\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\FontCache-*") do (
    del /f /q "%%d\*.*" 2>nul
)
del /f /q "%WinDir%\System32\FNTCACHE.DAT" 2>nul

net start FontCache >nul 2>&1

echo [OK] System font cache cleared.

:: =============================================
:: Adobe font cache (if Adobe CC is installed)
:: =============================================
echo.
echo [ACTION] Checking for Adobe font caches...

set "AdobeFontCache=%LocalAppData%\Adobe\CoreSync\plugins\livetype\r"
if exist "%AdobeFontCache%\" (
    del /f /q "%AdobeFontCache%\*.*" 2>nul
    echo [OK] Adobe font cache cleared.
) else (
    echo [INFO] No Adobe font cache found.
)

:: AdobeFnt*.lst files in common locations
for %%d in (
    "%LocalAppData%\Adobe"
    "%AppData%\Adobe"
    "%ProgramData%\Adobe"
) do (
    if exist "%%~d\" (
        del /f /s /q "%%~d\AdobeFnt*.lst" 2>nul
    )
)

:: =============================================
:: Office font cache
:: =============================================
echo [ACTION] Checking for Office font caches...

set "OfficeFontCache=%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Office\16.0\FontCache"
if exist "%OfficeFontCache%\" (
    del /f /q "%OfficeFontCache%\*.*" 2>nul
    echo [OK] Office font cache cleared.
) else (
    echo [INFO] No Office font cache found at expected location.
)

echo.
echo [OK] Extended font cache cleanup complete.
echo.
echo [RECOMMENDED] Reboot the computer for a full font reset.
echo Applications may need to rebuild their individual font caches
echo on next launch, which may cause a brief delay.

endlocal
exit /b 0

@echo off
setlocal EnableDelayedExpansion

echo ============================================================
echo   Font Cache Health Check
echo ============================================================
echo.
echo Computer: %COMPUTERNAME%
echo Date:     %date% %time%
echo.
echo ============================================================
echo.

:: ============================================================
:: Check 1: Font Cache Services
:: ============================================================

echo ============================================================
echo   Font Cache Services
echo ============================================================
echo.

set "FontCacheRunning=0"
set "FontCache3Running=0"

:: Check FontCache service
sc query FontCache 2>nul | findstr /i "STATE" >nul 2>&1

if !errorlevel! equ 0 (
    for /f "tokens=4" %%a in ('sc query FontCache 2^>nul ^| findstr "STATE"') do (
        set "FontCacheState=%%a"
    )
    
    echo   FontCache:        !FontCacheState!
    
    if /i "!FontCacheState!"=="RUNNING" set "FontCacheRunning=1"
) else (
    echo   FontCache:        Not installed
    set "FontCacheState=NOT_FOUND"
)

:: Check FontCache 3.0.0.0 service (.NET Framework)
sc query FontCache3.0.0.0 2>nul | findstr /i "STATE" >nul 2>&1

if !errorlevel! equ 0 (
    for /f "tokens=4" %%a in ('sc query FontCache3.0.0.0 2^>nul ^| findstr "STATE"') do (
        set "FontCache3State=%%a"
    )
    
    echo   FontCache3.0.0.0: !FontCache3State!
    
    if /i "!FontCache3State!"=="RUNNING" set "FontCache3Running=1"
) else (
    echo   FontCache3.0.0.0: Not installed (normal if .NET 3.x not present^)
    set "FontCache3State=NOT_FOUND"
)

echo.

:: ============================================================
:: Check 2: Font Cache Files
:: ============================================================

echo ============================================================
echo   Font Cache Files
echo ============================================================
echo.

set "CacheDir=%WinDir%\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\FontCache"

if exist "%CacheDir%\" (
    echo   Cache Directory:  !CacheDir!
    echo   Status:           EXISTS
    echo.
    
    :: Count files
    set "CacheCount=0"
    set "CacheTotalSize=0"
    
    for %%f in ("!CacheDir!\*.*") do (
        set /a CacheCount+=1
    )
    
    echo   Cache Files:      !CacheCount! file(s^)
    echo.
    
    :: List cache files with details
    if !CacheCount! gtr 0 (
        echo   Cache File Details:
        for %%f in ("!CacheDir!\*.*") do (
            set "FileSize=%%~zf"
            set "FileDate=%%~tf"
            
            :: Convert bytes to KB
            set /a "FileSizeKB=FileSize/1024"
            
            echo     - %%~nxf
            echo       Size: !FileSizeKB! KB
            echo       Date: !FileDate!
        )
    )
) else (
    echo   Cache Directory:  !CacheDir!
    echo   Status:           NOT FOUND
    echo.
    echo   [INFO] This may indicate font cache needs initialization
)

echo.

:: Check FNTCACHE.DAT
set "FntCacheFile=%WinDir%\System32\FNTCACHE.DAT"

if exist "!FntCacheFile!" (
    echo   FNTCACHE.DAT:     EXISTS
    
    for %%f in ("!FntCacheFile!") do (
        set "FntSize=%%~zf"
        set "FntDate=%%~tf"
        
        set /a "FntSizeKB=FntSize/1024"
        
        echo   Location:         !FntCacheFile!
        echo   Size:             !FntSizeKB! KB (%%~zf bytes^)
        echo   Last Modified:    !FntDate!
    )
) else (
    echo   FNTCACHE.DAT:     NOT FOUND
    echo   Location:         !FntCacheFile!
    echo.
    echo   [WARNING] Main font cache file missing
    echo   [INFO] This may cause slow font rendering
)

echo.

:: ============================================================
:: Check 3: Installed Fonts
:: ============================================================

echo ============================================================
echo   Installed Fonts Inventory
echo ============================================================
echo.

set "FontsDir=%WinDir%\Fonts"

if exist "!FontsDir!\" (
    echo   Fonts Directory:  !FontsDir!
    echo   Status:           EXISTS
    echo.
    
    :: Count font files
    set "FontCount=0"
    for %%f in ("!FontsDir!\*.*") do (
        set /a FontCount+=1
    )
    
    echo   System Fonts:     !FontCount! file(s^)
    echo.
    
    :: Count by type
    set "TtfCount=0"
    set "OtfCount=0"
    set "OtherCount=0"
    
    for %%f in ("!FontsDir!\*.ttf") do set /a TtfCount+=1
    for %%f in ("!FontsDir!\*.otf") do set /a OtfCount+=1
    
    echo   Font Types:
    echo     - TrueType (.ttf):   !TtfCount!
    echo     - OpenType (.otf):   !OtfCount!
    
) else (
    echo   Fonts Directory:  NOT FOUND
    echo   [CRITICAL] System fonts directory missing!
)

echo.

:: ============================================================
:: Check 4: User Fonts
:: ============================================================

echo ============================================================
echo   User-Installed Fonts
echo ============================================================
echo.

set "UserFontsDir=%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Fonts"

if exist "!UserFontsDir!\" (
    echo   User Fonts Dir:   !UserFontsDir!
    echo   Status:           EXISTS
    echo.
    
    set "UserFontCount=0"
    for %%f in ("!UserFontsDir!\*.*") do set /a UserFontCount+=1
    
    echo   User Fonts:       !UserFontCount! file(s^)
) else (
    echo   User Fonts Dir:   No user-specific fonts installed
)

echo.

:: ============================================================
:: Health Assessment
:: ============================================================

echo ============================================================
echo   Health Assessment
echo ============================================================
echo.

set "HealthScore=0"
set "MaxScore=3"
set "Issues="

:: Check 1: FontCache service running
if !FontCacheRunning! equ 1 (
    echo   [OK] FontCache service:    Running
    set /a HealthScore+=1
) else (
    echo   [KO] FontCache service:    Not running
    set "Issues=!Issues! FontCacheService"
)

:: Check 2: Cache directory exists
if exist "!CacheDir!\" (
    echo   [OK] Cache directory:      Exists
    set /a HealthScore+=1
) else (
    echo   [KO] Cache directory:      Missing
    set "Issues=!Issues! CacheDirectory"
)

:: Check 3: FNTCACHE.DAT exists
if exist "!FntCacheFile!" (
    echo   [OK] FNTCACHE.DAT:         Exists
    set /a HealthScore+=1
) else (
    echo   [KO] FNTCACHE.DAT:         Missing
    set "Issues=!Issues! FntCacheFile"
)

echo.
echo   Health Score:         !HealthScore! / !MaxScore!
echo.

:: Overall assessment
if !HealthScore! equ !MaxScore! (
    echo ============================================================
    echo   Status: HEALTHY
    echo ============================================================
    echo.
    echo   Font cache appears to be functioning normally.
    echo.
    set "ExitCode=0"
    
) else if !HealthScore! geq 2 (
    echo ============================================================
    echo   Status: MINOR ISSUES
    echo ============================================================
    echo.
    echo   Font cache has minor issues but may be functional.
    echo.
    echo   Issues detected: !Issues!
    echo.
    echo   Recommendation:
    echo     - Restart FontCache service
    echo     - Rebuild font cache if problems persist
    echo.
    set "ExitCode=1"
    
) else (
    echo ============================================================
    echo   Status: UNHEALTHY
    echo ============================================================
    echo.
    echo   Font cache has significant problems.
    echo.
    echo   Issues detected: !Issues!
    echo.
    echo   Recommended Actions:
    echo     1. Stop FontCache service:
    echo        net stop FontCache
    echo.
    echo     2. Delete cache files:
    echo        del /q "!CacheDir!\*.*"
    echo        del "!FntCacheFile!"
    echo.
    echo     3. Restart FontCache service:
    echo        net start FontCache
    echo.
    echo     4. Reboot if issues persist
    echo.
    set "ExitCode=2"
)

echo ============================================================
echo.

pause
endlocal
exit /b !ExitCode!

:: FAILS: FontCache service has file locks on the .dat files
del /f /q %WinDir%\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\FontCache\*.dat
:: Result: "Access is denied" or "The process cannot access the file"

:: INCOMPLETE: WPF applications may still have corrupt cached fonts
net stop FontCache
:: (miss FontCache3.0.0.0)

:: INCOMPLETE: boot-time font cache is still corrupt
del /f /q %WinDir%\ServiceProfiles\...\FontCache\*.dat
:: FNTCACHE.DAT in System32 is not cleared

:: Force-stop the service process
taskkill /f /fi "services eq FontCache" >nul 2>&1
timeout /t 3 /nobreak >nul