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Fix Missing 'fi' and 'fl' Letters in PDFs on Adobe Acrobat Reader for Android
Question details
The user needs to resolve an issue where specific letter pairings are failing to display in PDF documents.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Device & OS
- Android
- Scenario
- Reading PDF documents that contain standard font ligatures.
- Observed behavior
- Letter combinations like "fi" and "fl" disappear entirely from the text. For example, "first" displays as "rst" and "office" displays as "oce".
Ensure you have a backup copy of the affected PDF file and connect your device to Wi-Fi in case you need to download application updates.
Clear App Cache and Update Adobe Acrobat Reader
Resolves rendering bugs caused by outdated software or corrupted temporary font caches.
Missing text often occurs when a specific version of a PDF viewer struggles to process font ligatures (combined characters like 'fi'). Updating the application ensures you have the latest bug fixes.
Launch the Google Play Store on your Android device and search for 'Adobe Acrobat Reader'.
If an 'Update' button is available, tap it to install the latest version of the application.
Go to your Android device 'Settings', select 'Apps' or 'App Management', and find 'Adobe Acrobat'.
Tap on 'Storage' or 'Storage & cache', then select 'Clear Cache'. Reopen your PDF to see if the letters now display correctly.
Test the PDF in an Alternative Viewer
Helps determine whether the missing text is a document formatting error or an app-specific rendering bug.
Gather Diagnostics for Official Support
Collects the necessary information to report the bug so developers can patch the issue in future releases.
Read PDFs Seamlessly with WPS Office
Bypass missing text and rendering bugs instantly. WPS Office features a highly accurate built-in PDF engine for Android that perfectly displays complex fonts, ligatures, and layouts without dropping characters.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for free from the Google Play Store.
- 2. Open the App: Launch WPS Office on your Android device and navigate to the 'Files' tab at the bottom of the screen.
- 3. Locate Your PDF: Tap the 'PDF' filter icon at the top to instantly view all PDF documents on your device, then select the affected file.
- 4. Read Without Errors: View your document flawlessly; WPS Office handles all complex typography so no letters will be missing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do specific letters like 'fi' and 'fl' disappear in PDFs?
These letter combinations are often formatted as 'ligatures'—a single typographical character combining two letters to improve readability. If the PDF reader app lacks proper support or has a rendering bug for that specific font ligature, the characters will fail to display.
Is my PDF document permanently corrupted if letters are missing?
Usually, no. If the letters only disappear in a specific app like Adobe Acrobat Reader on Android, the document itself is fine. The text data is still there, but the app is failing to draw it on the screen.
How can I prevent missing fonts when creating my own PDF files?
When exporting or saving a document to PDF from a word processor, look for an option in the export settings to 'Embed all fonts'. This packages the exact font data directly inside the file, ensuring it displays perfectly on any device.
Will reinstalling the PDF reader fix the missing text issue?
Reinstalling or clearing the app cache can help if the app's local font cache is corrupted. However, if the missing text is due to a bug in the app's current software build, you may need to use an alternative viewer like WPS Office until a patch is released.
