Arch Linux

LudwigJ

Member

Registered: 2021-02-25

Posts: 26

[SOLVED] Wrong fonts when launching xfce

This problem started a few weeks ago, it used to work fine.
I use xfce. I don't have a graphical login, I boot into a tty and launch X with startx.

Now, when xfce starts, it doesn't load the font defined in Settings, I get a bigger font instead.

If go to Settings->Appearance->Fonts, the correct font is certainly there, but it's not used.
I need to change it manually for it to take effect.

If I change the Style in Settings->Appearance, the correct font is automatically loaded.

Here is Xorg.0.log:

https://pastebin.com/H1rV3y9D

Last edited by LudwigJ (2025-07-04 14:38:53)

seth

Member

From: Don't DM me only for attention

Registered: 2012-09-03

Posts: 73,720

Re: [SOLVED] Wrong fonts when launching xfce

The xorg log won't help here, what font do you configure, what font do you get and does

I need to change it manually for it to take effect.

imply an idempotent "change" (ie. the GUI shows that the desired font is used but you've to either switch forth and back to another font or at least apply the setting) or is the correct font "there" in the list of fonts and you've to switch to it?

Also, which client specifically do you use as test case? (mainly whether gtk, qt or rather sth. like xterm which is strictly configured via  xrdb)?
Speaking of which:

X with startx.

Please post your xinitrc.

---

How to upload text · How to boot w/o GUI · Disable Windows Fast-Start! · Fix your xinitrc

LudwigJ

Member

Registered: 2021-02-25

Posts: 26

Re: [SOLVED] Wrong fonts when launching xfce

(ie. the GUI shows that the desired font is used but you've to either switch forth and back to another font or at least apply the setting)

Yes.

This is what I see in Settings->Appearance->Fonts when X starts:

https://pasteboard.co/OV98f6siqJYT.jpg

It says Droid Sans Regular size 10, but the font used is different and bigger.

If I, for example, go to the Style tab and switch styles, the correct font is automatically loaded:

https://pasteboard.co/pPe9utP4CE2B.jpg

Please post your xinitrc.

Simply this:

exec startxfce4

seth

Member

From: Don't DM me only for attention

Registered: 2012-09-03

Posts: 73,720

Re: [SOLVED] Wrong fonts when launching xfce

Your xinitrc is broken, see the last link below
(But since it doesn't include any fontconfig or xrdb shenanigans that's probably not causing your immediate issue)

Both screeshots show the same font, even the hinting looks equivalent  - so this is likely a DPI issue?

xdpyinfo | grep reso
xrandr -q
xrdb -q | grep dpi

---

How to upload text · How to boot w/o GUI · Disable Windows Fast-Start! · Fix your xinitrc

LudwigJ

Member

Registered: 2021-02-25

Posts: 26

Re: [SOLVED] Wrong fonts when launching xfce

so this is likely a DPI issue?

That was it. I ticked the option "Custom DPI setting" on Settings->Appearance->Fonts,
and now X starts with the correct appearance.

Thanks for your always invaluable help.