Fix Fonts Not Installed Error on Mac [6 Ways]

Installing fonts on a Mac is usually a simple process of adding the font file to the Font Book app. But, unfortunately, it will sometimes fail with the error “Fonts not installed. I could not install the font. This may occur because of efforts to install fonts in files containing no valid fonts. Check your selection and try again.”

The issue typically occurs after a recent macOS upgrade, especially on macOS Catalina and macOS Ventura, with any fonts you’re trying to install.

In this article, we’ll help you eliminate the “Fonts not installed” error on Mac. Before diving into it, let’s discuss the reasons behind the issue first.

Why are the fonts not installed on Mac?

There are many reasons why the fonts could not be installed on your Mac. The message implies that the fonts are not valid, which can be interpreted differently in different cases. The following are the most likely ones from iBoysoft customers’ feedback:

• The font file you intend to install is corrupted.
• The install location is having issues saving the font file.
• The FontMover program doesn’t have full disk access on Mac.
• A font bug in the operating system.
• Installed fonts are having conflicts with the new font.
• The font format isn’t supported on Mac.

How to fix the ‘fonts not installed’ error on Mac?

Now that you’ve learned the possible causes of the error “Fonts not installed,” let’s solve it with the proven solutions. Be reminded that the font format must be compatible with Mac.

If you’re uncertain, check the list of font formats supported by macOS below to ensure you’re working with the right one:

• TrueType (.ttf)
• Variable TrueType (.ttf)
• TrueType Collection (.ttc)
• OpenType and OpenType-SVG (.otf)
• OpenType Collection (.ttc)
• Legacy suitcase TrueType fonts (might work, not recommended)
• PostScript Type 1 LWFN fonts (might work, not recommended)

Fix 1: Add fonts manually to the Fonts folder

When you’re unable to install fonts on Mac using the standard way, such as by dragging and dropping the font file to Font Book or double-clicking the file and choosing Install, you can manually add them to the Fonts folder.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Finder, then click Go > Go to Folder from the menu bar.
2. Type ~/Library and navigate to the Fonts folder. (Create the Fonts folder if it doesn’t exist.)

3. Open the folder and drag your font files into it.
4. Reboot your Mac to see the changes.

Fix 2: Change the default install location

Another solution is to change the default install location for fonts on Mac. To do this, open Font Book, select Font Book > Preferences/Settings from the menu bar, then locate the default install location and change whatever is there to the other option. After that, you can restart your Mac and install the fonts again.

Fix 3: Create a new library

Some users managed to install their fonts after creating a new library. If your fonts are still not installed, it’s worth a try. Just open the Font Book app, then right-click on the sidebar and choose “New Library,” and name it User or something you prefer, then drag and drop your fonts onto the new library.

Fix 4: Grant full disk access to the font mover

Full Disk Access is a security feature introduced in macOS Mojave. It decides which app can access data in your home folder, Mail, Safari, Time Machine, etc. If Fontmover, an essential tool for managing system fonts, doesn’t have the correct access permissions, it may render the font files uninstallable.

To grant it full disk access, take these steps:

1. Go to System Preferences/Settings.

2. Search for “full disk access” in the search bar and open it.

3. Click the (+) button and navigate to /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/ATS.framework/Versions/A/Support/fontmover.

4. Add the service to the list.

Fix 5: Clear font caches

Clearing font caches is also helpful in resolving various issues related to font installation, display, and performance. The font cache is the temporary font data used on the system to allow fonts to load and display quickly.

Chances are that it’s corrupted or overloaded, leading to the installation failure of your new font files. Follow the steps below to clear font caches:

1. Launch Finder, then select Go > Go to Folder from the menu bar.
2. Type ~/Library/Caches.

3. Open the Caches folder.
4. Locate the folders named com.apple.FontRegistry and com.apple.ATS.
5. Move them to the trash and empty the trash.
6. Reboot your Mac.

Fix 6: Update macOS

Our final advice is to update the operating system. This can not only introduce new features and improvements to the system but also optimize your Mac’s performance and bring bug fixes to known issues, potentially fixing the font installation problem.

You can open System Preferences/Settings and go to the Software Update section to check and install available updates.

Final thoughts

Hopefully, the aforementioned solutions have helped you resolve the “Fonts not installed” error on Mac. These solutions apply to all types of supported fonts on Mac, such as .otf or.ttf. If you’re dealing with a different error encountered when installing fonts on Mac, you can also give them a try.

Read next: The Best Fonts for Posters and Poster Design