TeX Live mktexmf cannot find font solution

When compiling a LaTeX document that uses a customized font in TeX Live on Windows, you might encounter the following error:

kpathsea: Running mktextfm Fontin

The command name is F:\texlive\2025\bin\windows\mktextfm
name = Fontin, rootname = Fontin, pointsize =
mktexmf: empty or non-existent rootfile!

kpathsea: Running mktexmf Fontin.mf

The command name is F:\texlive\2025\bin\windows\mktexmf
Cannot find Fontin.mf.
kpathsea: Appending font creation commands to missfont.log.

kpathsea: Running mktextfm Fontin

The command name is F:\texlive\2025\bin\windows\mktextfm
name = Fontin, rootname = Fontin, pointsize =
mktexmf: empty or non-existent rootfile!

kpathsea: Running mktexmf Fontin.mf

The command name is F:\texlive\2025\bin\windows\mktexmf
Cannot find Fontin.mf.

This error occurs because the TeX system cannot find the necessary font files (specifically .mf or .tfm files) for Fontin, and fails to generate them. The weird part is that you have installed the font already.

Solution is straightforward: Install the font for all users on your Windows system.

  1. Locate the Fontin font file (e.g., Fontin.ttf).
  2. Right-click the file.
  3. Choose Install for all users from the context menu.

After installing the font for all users, recompile your document. The error should disappear.