How to Disable WOFF2 Font Format in Magento 2

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Why Disable WOFF2?
  3. Step-by-Step Guide to Disable WOFF2
  4. Troubleshooting Tips
  5. Conclusion
  6. FAQ

Introduction

Are you looking to customize your Magento 2 store's font settings? Specifically, do you need to disable the WOFF2 font format and use only WOFF? You're not alone. Many developers and store owners face similar issues when dealing with font configurations in Magento 2. Whether you're optimizing for compatibility or just prefer a specific font format, this guide will walk you through the steps needed to disable WOFF2 and use only WOFF fonts in your Magento 2 store.

In this comprehensive guide, we will cover the reasons why someone might want to disable WOFF2, the specific steps necessary to make this change, and some troubleshooting tips to ensure smooth implementation. Let's get started on making your Magento 2 store's typography configurations just the way you want them.

Why Disable WOFF2?

Before we dive into the how-to, let's explore why you might want to disable the WOFF2 format:

  • Compatibility: Some older browsers or specific environments may not fully support WOFF2, making WOFF a safer choice.
  • Performance: Though WOFF2 is generally more efficient, certain situations may benefit from the streamlined nature of WOFF.
  • Customization: For developers needing precise control over their font files, having a single format simplifies management.

Step-by-Step Guide to Disable WOFF2

Implementing these changes involves editing your theme's CSS files to exclude WOFF2. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Create a _typography.less File in Your Theme Directory

  1. Navigate to your theme directory at app/design/frontend/{Vendor}/{theme}/web/css/source/.
  2. Create a new file named _typography.less.

Step 2: Redefine the .lib-font-face Mixin

In this new file, redefine the .lib-font-face mixin to exclude the WOFF2 format.

.lib-font-face(
    @family-name,
    @font-path,
    @font-weight: 400,
    @font-style: normal,
    @font-display: swap()
) when (@browser-support__woff2 = true) {
    @font-face {
        font-family: @family-name;
        src: url('@{font-path}.woff') format('woff'); // Only WOFF format
        font-weight: @font-weight;
        font-style: @font-style;
        font-display: @font-display;
    }
}

Step 3: Deploy the Changes

Run the following command in your Magento 2 root directory to deploy the static content:

bin/magento setup:static-content:deploy

Step 4: Clear Cache

It's essential to clear your Magento cache to apply the changes:

bin/magento cache:clean
bin/magento cache:flush

Troubleshooting Tips

1. Changes Not Reflecting

If after following the steps the changes are not reflected:

  • Check the File Path: Ensure the _typography.less file is correctly placed in the theme directory.
  • Deploy Static Content: Make sure you ran the setup:static-content:deploy command.
  • Clear Cache: Double-check if Magento’s cache has been cleared.

2. Site Appearing Broken

If your site looks broken post-implementation:

  • Rollback Changes: Temporarily remove or undo changes in _typography.less to diagnose the problem.
  • Check Logs: Look into Magento's error logs located in var/log to identify any issues.

3. Browser Compatibility

Ensure that the issue isn't related to browser compatibility:

  • Cross-Browser Testing: Test your site on multiple browsers to ensure the font renders correctly.

Conclusion

Disabling the WOFF2 format in Magento 2 requires a few straightforward but critical steps. By creating a custom _typography.less file and editing the .lib-font-face mixin, you can ensure your store uses only the WOFF format for fonts. This customization can be crucial for certain older browser environments or specific performance needs.

Remember, always clear the cache and deploy static content to ensure your changes take effect. If you encounter issues, troubleshooting steps like checking paths and logs can help you pinpoint and resolve the problem.

We hope this guide has provided a clear and comprehensive roadmap for making these font customizations in Magento 2. Happy coding!

FAQ

1. Why are my font changes not showing up in Magento 2?

Ensure you've placed the _typography.less file in the correct theme directory, deployed static content, and cleared caches.

2. What if I want to revert back to using WOFF2?

Simply remove or comment out the custom code in _typography.less, and then redeploy your static content and clear caches.

3. Can I use both WOFF and WOFF2 formats?

Yes, you can configure Magento to use both formats by including both in the src property within .lib-font-face.

4. Is there any performance impact when using only WOFF?

WOFF2 typically offers better compression and faster load times. However, WOFF is still quite efficient and widely supported.

5. How do I handle font formats for multiple themes?

You'll need to apply the changes individually to each theme's _typography.less file within their respective directories.

By following these steps and tips, you should be able to customize your Magento 2 store's font settings effectively.