How to Fix Adobe Reader Font Extraction Errors with Noto Sans CJK PDFs
Question details
Users encounter a font extraction error in Adobe Reader when opening PDFs generated with JasperReports that contain the NotoSansCJKtc-Regular.otf font.

- Product
- Adobe Reader / JasperReports
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Opening a JasperReports-generated PDF file containing embedded CJK fonts in Adobe Reader.
- Observed behavior
- Adobe Reader displays an error stating it cannot extract the embedded font, though the PDF displays correctly in other PDF viewers.
Verify if the PDF file opens and displays text correctly in alternative PDF viewers to confirm whether the issue is specific to Adobe Reader's strict font handling.
Correct the Font Embedding Process in JasperReports
Resolve syntax and embedding errors directly at the source during PDF generation to ensure broad compatibility with Adobe Reader.
Adobe Reader is highly strict about PDF syntax and font embedding compared to other viewers. If the Noto Sans CJK font is not embedded flawlessly, Adobe Reader will fail to render it.
Open your JasperReports project configuration or source code where the PDF generation parameters are defined.
Ensure that the 'pdfEmbedded' property is set to 'true' for the NotoSansCJKtc-Regular.otf font extension.
Check that the font file path is correctly mapped, encoded, and accessible to the JasperReports engine during the generation process.
Regenerate the PDF file directly from JasperReports. Do not redistill the PDF through a virtual printer, as that can introduce new syntax issues.

Open the PDF with an Alternative Viewer
If you cannot modify the source PDF generation, use a more forgiving PDF reader to access the document.
Open and View PDFs Seamlessly with WPS Office
Avoid frustrating font extraction errors. WPS Office includes a robust PDF reader that handles complex embedded fonts like Noto Sans CJK smoothly, allowing you to view, edit, and annotate your documents without syntax interruptions.
- 1. Download the software: Download and install WPS Office Free from the official website.
- 2. Launch the PDF tool: Open WPS Office and click on 'PDF' from the left navigation panel.
- 3. Open your file: Click 'Open' and select the JasperReports-generated PDF file from your local drive.
- 4. View without errors: View and manage your document with the Noto Sans CJK fonts rendered perfectly without extraction errors.

Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my PDF open in other viewers but not in Adobe Reader?
Adobe Reader enforces extremely strict PDF syntax and font-embedding rules. If a PDF generated by tools like JasperReports has slight embedding irregularities, Adobe Reader will block it, whereas other viewers might bypass the error and render the text anyway.
What does 'cannot extract the embedded font' mean?
This error means the PDF viewer found a custom font specified in the document's code but could not successfully load the font file data embedded within the PDF. This is often due to file corruption, missing glyphs, or incorrect generation settings.
Should I redistill the PDF to fix font errors?
No, redistilling the PDF (printing it to a new PDF file via a virtual printer) is not recommended. This process can degrade document quality, remove interactive elements, and introduce additional formatting or syntax problems.




