Text not visible in Google search on Safari

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Level 1

5 points

Text not visible in Google search on Safari

Hi all, a minor but annoying issue has been occurring the last few months. I have an M1 Mac Mini, and use Safari as my main browser. When I open a search window for Google, the text is not visible as I'm typing the query. The text is input, as you can see the cursor advancing, you just can't see it. This happens intermittently, and closing/reopening Safari doesn't fix it. Using Safari, clicking into any site and entering text eg a login or a comment, and text is always visible. This has been happening for maybe 3 months, I can't recall if it appeared straight after an update. If I open Firefox and a Google window, this never happens ie text is always visible as I type.

I'm on Monterey 12.7.3 and Safari Version 17.3 (17617.2.4.11.9, 17617).

Not the biggest crisis in the world but any ideas would be appreciated.

Mac mini, macOS 12.7

Posted on Feb 2, 2024 3:11 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Corey Smith3

Level 1

40 points

Feb 6, 2024 7:46 AM in response to OzBiff

I had this same issue, I had to open Font Book and go to file -> Restore Standard Fonts, then quit and re-open Safari. At this this is what fixed it for me.

I think this is happening because of adobe fonts being activated in photoshop or indesign.

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Answer 2

Feb 6, 2024 1:08 PM in response to OzBiff

I had to update Safari so I could log into my bank. Google is now unusable. White font on white background.

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Answer 3

Feb 5, 2024 10:48 AM in response to OzBiff

I have been experiencing the same behaviour on two M1 MBPs (13" 2020, and a 14" 2021) for a couple months with google search and some other websites. Attached are two example screenshots. One showing the Safari window immediately after submitting "text not visible in google search" via the Safari's (URL) address field, the other after you click inside the landing page to reveal suggested queries - no text is visible. Note that the entered text is actually there - I can copy paste it to Pages and see it there again. It also remains visible in Safari's address field. Essentially font and background are the same white colour. Also note that I can move the cursor left right and move up and down within the suggestions with the pointer or the UP/DOWN cursor keys. If I hit Enter on any of the suggestions in the drop down, the Safari's URL address field updates accordingly, but the search field inside the website remains without visible text.

While both my machines have the exact same OS (12.7.3) and Safari (17.3 - 17617.2.4.11.11, 17617) versions, I experience this problem almost exclusively on the 14" M1 2021 MBP.

I find this behaviour rather annoying.

We would greatly appreciate any ideas how to rectify this - thank you!