Formatting Issues

How to Fix Word Font or Highlight Colors Not Showing

Khadija Khan Oct 16, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are unable to see applied font colors or text highlights in their documents, even when the formatting options are actively selected.

How to Fix Word Font or Highlight Colors Not Showing

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Windows or Mac
Scenario: Formatting text or reviewing a document using text highlights and font colors.
Observed behavior: Applied font colors and text highlights remain invisible on the screen, appearing as default plain text despite the formatting commands being applied.

Before you start

Before troubleshooting, open a new blank document, type some text, apply a standard font color, and check if the color appears in Print Preview or when exported as a PDF.

Solution 1Recommended

Disable High Contrast Settings

High contrast mode in your operating system overrides document colors, which can make custom font colors and highlights invisible.

System-level accessibility settings, particularly high contrast themes, force applications to display text in specific colors for better readability. Disabling this feature restores standard document rendering.

Open System Settings

Press the Windows key + I to open the Windows Settings menu.

Navigate to Accessibility

Click on Accessibility and select 'Contrast themes' or 'High contrast' from the vision settings menu.

Turn Off High Contrast

Select 'None' from the theme dropdown menu or toggle the high contrast switch to the off position, then click Apply.

Restart Microsoft Word

Close your document and relaunch Microsoft Word to verify that the font and highlight colors are now visible.

Tip: On a Mac, you can check similar settings by navigating to System Settings > Accessibility > Display, and ensuring that 'Invert Colors' and 'Increase Contrast' are disabled.

Solution 2

Verify Formatting Commands on the Home Tab

Ensure you are using the correct ribbon tools to apply text formatting rather than unrelated background or shading options.

Solution 3

Run a Quick Office Repair

If standard settings are correct but colors still fail to render across all documents, your Office installation files may be corrupted.

Seamless Document Formatting

Apply Font Colors and Highlights Seamlessly with WPS Writer

If formatting display issues persist, switch to WPS Office. WPS Writer offers an intuitive, bug-free environment for applying text highlights, font colors, and complex document formatting.

1. Open Your Document in WPS Office: Launch WPS Writer and open the document where you want to view or apply formatting.
2. Select the Desired Text: Use your cursor to highlight the word, paragraph, or phrase you wish to modify.
3. Apply Font Color: Navigate to the Home tab and click the Font Color icon to assign your chosen text color.
4. Add Text Highlights: Click the Text Highlight Color icon in the Home tab to emphasize the selected text immediately.

Flawlessly edits and displays Microsoft Word formats (.docx, .doc).Lightweight and optimized architecture prevents rendering glitches.Familiar ribbon interface ensures zero learning curve when switching.Completely free to use with rich text editing tools.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my Word highlight colors show on screen but not in Print Preview?

This happens if Word is configured not to print background colors. To resolve this, go to File > Options > Display, and check the box that says 'Print background colors and images' before printing or exporting to PDF.

What is the difference between Text Highlight Color and Shading in Word?

Text Highlight Color applies a background marker specifically to the selected characters, similar to a physical highlighter pen. Shading, on the other hand, fills the entire background of the paragraph or table cell, regardless of where the text ends.

Can dark mode affect how font colors appear in Word?

Yes, if Dark Mode is enabled in Microsoft Word (File > Account > Office Theme), the application may automatically adjust certain text colors to maintain contrast against the dark background. Switching the theme to 'Colorful' or 'White' restores standard color display.

Document & File Issues