Adobe fonts can be used across platforms like Adobe’s Creative Suite applications like Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and other applications like Microsoft and iWork. Cross-platform use can assist in streamlining the design process between products and marketing online or in print. Depending on your branding, you could utilize several different fonts for different objectives, so wait times for downloads and activation can affect productivity.

It can take ten minutes or more to activate a single Adobe font. There are instances when activation does not complete or the application activating the font stops loading the font after a certain point.

Keep reading to learn how to activate Adobe fonts in various programs. This article will look at ways to troubleshoot if fonts are not activating and why fonts may be taking a long time to activate.

Why Do Adobe Fonts Take Long to Activate?

Fonts can take a while to download due to the volume of fonts being activated at once. The higher the font count, the more RAM is consumed, especially as other open applications phase in and out of active memory. Certain applications, like MS Office, will stop loading fonts after a certain point.

Adobe fonts take long, even if you’re downloading a single font. There is no distinguishable factor for long activation times. It can be chalked up to program behavioral quirks.

According to support forums online, the long activation times are something Adobe’s tech team is aware of and are working to find a resolution. Until then, the best thing you can do is try to restart the application you’re using to activate on your computer to see if that helps with activation time.

In addition, close all other applications while activation is ongoing to free up RAM. You can also try a website, like placeit.net, that already has built-in fonts for you to use with design templates for you to try, and all are available without activation.

Troubleshooting for Adobe Fonts Not Activating

It’s challenging enough to wait for ten minutes while a single font activates, especially if it’s holding up productivity. What do you do when the font doesn’t activate at all? Luckily, there are things you can do to try and help your application or device with the activation process.

Before trying out these troubleshooting steps, make sure you have Creative Cloud downloaded and active on your device. Adobe fonts are activated through this app, using the same credentials you used for your subscription.

1. Check Error Message Under Font Activation Status

A helpful tip is to look at your font activation status panel in Creative Cloud. If any of the fonts have an activation issue, there will be a red dot next to it. If you hover over the red dot, Creative Cloud will provide you with more information on the issue. Common error messages will indicate that a font with the same name has already been activated or a network interruption occurred during activation.

2. Refresh Adobe Fonts Settings

Similar to when you turn your Bluetooth or Wi-Fi toggle off to refresh the application, you can do the same with Adobe Fonts. Click on the gear icon at the top of your Creative Cloud desktop and navigate to Services. Toggle the Adobe Fonts to off, wait a few seconds and turn it back on.

3. Check Your Untrusted Font Blocking Setting

This step is specific to Windows 10 users. Windows 10 allows you to block untrusted fonts from downloading to your device. Unfortunately, this actively prevents Adobe Fonts from activating. You will need to check two places to ensure this option is turned off: Group Policy and Registry Editor. You can either turn it off or change it to the “audit” option.

4. Check Your Network Proxy and Firewall

Firewalls protect your device and information from unauthorized access by other networks, like the internet. On occasion, network proxies or firewalls can also block actions you authorized. Blocking access to these network endings will prevent Adobe Fonts from activating. There is a list of domains that are required, and port 443 needs to be open:

• https://data.typekit.net:443
• https://state.typekit.net:443
• https://polka.typekit.com:443
• https://api.typekit.com:443

Close Creative Cloud and Restart Your Computer

The advice to close Creative Cloud and restart your computer when you’re experiencing long activation times applies to fonts not activating as well—sometimes, closing the application and restarting your device fixes whatever issue was causing the font not to activate. This step may not pinpoint the exact cause, but it will get you on your way to activation.