Opening Font settings causes UI to crash freeze on Linux

haydenholloway · August 2, 2026, 4:59pm

Steps to reproduce

Navigate to Settings > Appearance > Interface font (“Text font” and “Monospace font” also trigger the issue)

Did you follow the troubleshooting guide?

Yes.

Expected result

Interface font settings page appears.

Actual result

UI crashes. Other window dragged over the Obsidian window leave a sort of trail. Obsidian has to be killed manually.

Environment

SYSTEM INFO:
	Obsidian version: 1.13.4
	Installer version: 1.13.4
	Operating system: #1 SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Sun, 26 Jul 2026 13:34:30 +0000 6.18.40-2-MANJARO
	Login status: not logged in
	Language: en-GB
	Insider build toggle: off
	Live preview: on
	Base theme: adapt to system
	Community theme: none
	Snippets enabled: 0
	Restricted mode: on

RECOMMENDATIONS:
	none

Distro Name: Manjaro Linux
Distro Version: Rolling
Desktop Environment: GNOME
Installation method used: Flatpak/Appimage

Additional information

Screenshot with empty window shadow:

Output of flatpak run --env=DEBUG_LOG=1 md.obsidian.Obsidian:

Debug: Enabling Wayland backend
Debug: Detecting Nvidia GPU on Wayland, disabling GPU sandbox
Debug: Deleting cache directory: /home/myhomedir/.var/app/md.obsidian.Obsidian/config/obsidian/GPUCache
Debug: Will run Obsidian with the following arguments: --disable-gpu --ozone-platform-hint=auto --enable-features=WaylandWindowDecorations --enable-wayland-ime --wayland-text-input-version=3 --disable-gpu-sandbox
Debug: Additionally, user gave:
[2:0802/184825.065065:ERROR:dbus/bus.cc:405] Failed to connect to the bus: Failed to connect to socket /run/dbus/system_bus_socket: No such file or directory
2026-08-02 16:48:25 Loaded main app package /app/resources/obsidian.asar
2026-08-02 16:48:25 Checking for update using Github
2026-08-02 16:48:25 Success.
2026-08-02 16:48:25 Latest version is 1.13.4
2026-08-02 16:48:25 App is up to date.
Error sending from webFrameMain:  Error: Render frame was disposed before WebFrameMain could be accessed
    at WebFrameMain._sendInternal (node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:104851)
    at WebContents._sendInternal (node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:88759)
    at node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:118074
    at new Promise (<anonymous>)
    at Object.invokeInWebContents (node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:117828)
    at WebContents.executeJavaScript (node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:89709)
Error sending from webFrameMain:  Error: Render frame was disposed before WebFrameMain could be accessed
    at WebFrameMain._sendInternal (node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:104851)
    at WebContents._sendInternal (node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:88759)
    at node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:118074
    at new Promise (<anonymous>)
    at Object.invokeInWebContents (node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:117828)
    at WebContents.executeJavaScript (node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:89709)
Error sending from webFrameMain:  Error: Render frame was disposed before WebFrameMain could be accessed
    at WebFrameMain._sendInternal (node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:104851)
    at WebContents._sendInternal (node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:88759)
    at node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:118074
    at new Promise (<anonymous>)
    at Object.invokeInWebContents (node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:117828)
    at WebContents.executeJavaScript (node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:89709)

diamondmind220 · August 3, 2026, 2:34pm

I second this. I’m having the exact same problem on Arch, on both the flatpak and the standard Arch repository versions

I get the following error on the terminal:

Error sending from webFrameMain: Error: Render frame was disposed before WebFrameMain could be accessed
at WebFrameMain._sendInternal (node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:104851)
at WebContents._sendInternal (node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:88759)
at node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:118074
at new Promise ()
at Object.invokeInWebContents (node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:117828)
at WebContents.executeJavaScript (node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:89709)

SYSTEM INFO:
	Obsidian version: 1.13.4
	Installer version: 1.13.4
	Operating system: #1 SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Tue, 28 Jul 2026 13:49:51 +0000 7.1.5-arch1-2
	Login status: not logged in
	Language: en
	Insider build toggle: off
	Live preview: on
	Base theme: dark
	Community theme: none
	Snippets enabled: 0
	Restricted mode: on

RECOMMENDATIONS:
	none

Distro Name: Arch Linux

Distro Version: Rolling

Desktop Environment: Hyprland

Installation method used: Flatpak/Appimage

Sasha96 · August 3, 2026, 12:03pm

Steps to reproduce

Open obsidian
Open settings
Go to Appearance and then to Font
Click Interface Font or Text Font or Monospace Font

Did you follow the troubleshooting guide? [Y/N]

Yes.

Expected result

To just open the font window.

Actual result

The system begin to show a lot of error every second and even the cursor slows down.

Environment

SYSTEM INFO:
Obsidian version: 1.13.4
Installer version: 1.13.4
Operating system: #1 SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Tue Jul 28 14:16:30 UTC 2026 7.1.5-201.fc44.x86_64
Login status: not logged in
Language: en-GB
Insider build toggle: off
Live preview: on
Base theme: dark
Community theme: Minimal 8.2.0
Snippets enabled: 0
Restricted mode: off
Plugins installed: 3
Plugins enabled: 1
1: Git v2.38.6

Distro Name: Fedora
Distro Version: 44
Desktop Environment: KDE 6.7.3
Installation method used: Flatpak

Additional information

I can’t take a screenshot because everything is slow and I should kill the process to stop that.

diamondmind220 · August 3, 2026, 1:34pm

I have been having the exact same problem, but instead of just slowing down, all of the windows and popups become transparent and irresponsive

i get this error in the terminal:

Error sending from webFrameMain:  Error: Render frame was disposed before WebFrameMain could be accessed
    at WebFrameMain._sendInternal (node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:104851)
    at WebContents._sendInternal (node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:88759)
    at node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:118074
    at new Promise (<anonymous>)
    at Object.invokeInWebContents (node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:117828)
    at WebContents.executeJavaScript (node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:89709)

The error seems to happen both on the version from the arch standard repositories and from the flatpak version, haven’t tried on the AppImage version yet

Obsidian Version: 1.13.4

OS: Arch Linux x86_64

Desktop Environment: Hyprland

as you can see the obsidian windows stil; occupy physical space in my desktop, but they are completely transparent and irresponsive

WhiteNoise · August 3, 2026, 8:59pm

will be fixed 1.13.5. ETA unknown. You will need to download and reinstall Obsidian.

ReaderGuy42 · July 31, 2026, 7:56pm

Steps to reproduce

Use shiny new settings search.
Look for e.g. “font”
click on native font settings
Obsidian hangs
Obsidian crashes

Did you follow the troubleshooting guide? YES

Expected result

Choose fonts or change appearance settings

Actual result

crash

Environment

this happened in the Sandbox vault too (see video; let me know if the Filen link does not work)

Installation Method: Obsidian’s official .deb file; same crash with AppImage

AppImage started from CLI gives this error message:

./Obsidian-1.13.4.AppImage 
2026-07-31 19:56:57 Loaded updated app /home/Readerguy42/.config/obsidian/obsidian-1.13.4.asar
Removing partition for vault open-gate
2026-07-31 19:56:58 Checking for update using Github
2026-07-31 19:56:58 Success.
2026-07-31 19:56:58 Latest version is 1.13.4
2026-07-31 19:56:58 App is up to date.
Error sending from webFrameMain:  Error: Render frame was disposed before WebFrameMain could be accessed
    at WebFrameMain._sendInternal (node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:104851)
    at WebContents._sendInternal (node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:88759)
    at node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:118074
    at new Promise (<anonymous>)
    at Object.invokeInWebContents (node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:117828)
    at WebContents.executeJavaScript (node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:89709)

Or same crash again, AppImage Sandbox Vault:

./Obsidian-1.13.4.AppImage 
2026-07-31 19:59:20 Loaded updated app /home/ReaderGuy42/.config/obsidian/obsidian-1.13.4.asar
Removing partition for vault open-gate
2026-07-31 19:59:21 Checking for update using Github
2026-07-31 19:59:21 Success.
2026-07-31 19:59:21 Latest version is 1.13.4
2026-07-31 19:59:21 App is up to date.
Error sending from webFrameMain:  Error: Render frame was disposed before WebFrameMain could be accessed
    at WebFrameMain._sendInternal (node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:104851)
    at WebContents._sendInternal (node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:88759)
    at node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:118074
    at new Promise (<anonymous>)
    at Object.invokeInWebContents (node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:117828)
    at WebContents.executeJavaScript (node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:89709)
Error sending from webFrameMain:  Error: Render frame was disposed before WebFrameMain could be accessed
    at WebFrameMain._sendInternal (node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:104851)
    at WebContents._sendInternal (node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:88759)
    at node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:118074
    at new Promise (<anonymous>)
    at Object.invokeInWebContents (node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:117828)
    at WebContents.executeJavaScript (node:electron/js2c/browser_init:2:89709)

Operating System: Linux Mint 22.3

SYSTEM INFO:
	Obsidian version: 1.13.4
	Installer version: 1.13.4
	Operating system: #28~24.04.1-Ubuntu SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Wed Jul  1 15:50:57 UTC 2 7.0.0-28-generic
	Login status: not logged in
	Language: en
	Insider build toggle: off
	Live preview: on
	Base theme: adapt to system
	Community theme: none
	Snippets enabled: 0
	Restricted mode: off
	Plugins installed: 0
	Plugins enabled: 0

RECOMMENDATIONS:
	none

Additional information

`https://app.filen.io/#/d/b71acd78-bcc7-4c25-935a-471287b4f618%234467426173616146706e4547444667374e487464685338376477636975777044`

lokipuk · July 31, 2026, 10:36pm

Exactly the same problem here on a fresh install of Ubuntu 26.04. Tried with apt, appimage, flatpak and snap; all the latest versions.

CLI error messages are the exact same. This is my sistem’s info:

OS: Ubuntu 26.04 LTS (Resolute Raccoon) x86_64
Host: Zenbook UM3402YAR_UM3402YA (1.0)
Kernel: Linux 7.0.0-28-generic
Uptime: 1 hour, 28 mins
Packages: 1526 (dpkg), 9 (flatpak), 12 (snap)
Shell: bash 5.3.9
Display (NCP0061): 2560x1600 @ 1.67x in 14", 60 Hz [Built-in] *
Display (BenQ Corporation 22"): 1920x1080 in 22", 60 Hz [External]
DE: GNOME 50.1
WM: Mutter (Wayland)
WM Theme: Yaru
Theme: Yaru [GTK2/3/4]
Icons: Yaru [GTK2/3/4]
Font: Ubuntu Sans (11pt) [GTK2/3/4]
Cursor: Yaru (24px)
Terminal: kitty 0.48.2
Terminal Font: DejaVuSansMono (11pt)
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7530U (12) @ 4.55 GHz
GPU: AMD Barcelo [Integrated]
Memory: 5.41 GiB / 14.52 GiB (37%)
Swap: 0 B / 15.62 GiB (0%)
Disk (/): 11.18 GiB / 139.00 GiB (8%) - ext4
Disk (/home): 154.46 GiB / 230.53 GiB (67%) - ext4
Local IP (enx002432ae122b): 192.168.0.101/24
Battery (UM3402): 100% [AC Connected]
Locale: es_ES.UTF-8

WhiteNoise · July 31, 2026, 10:50pm

Does it happen in the sandbox vault?

ReaderGuy42 · July 31, 2026, 10:52pm

Yes. The second vault I open in the video is the sandbox vault.

WhiteNoise · July 31, 2026, 10:52pm

which GPU are you running?

does it happen if you start Obsidian with --disable-gpu

ReaderGuy42 · July 31, 2026, 10:54pm

fetch is telling me GPU: Intel Arc Graphics so an integrated GPU. Adding --disable-gpu did not prevent the crash. I just tested it with that option from CLI with the AppImage.

exeget · August 6, 2026, 9:08pm

Bug report: Font picker in Settings → Appearance crashes the renderer (Linux)

App: Obsidian 1.13.4 (also reproduced on the Flatpak build)
Platform: Linux (X11), Arch Linux, kernel 6.10.5-arch1-1, Intel HD 620
Electron: 43 (system Electron used by the official .deb/AppImage build)
Category: Bug report
Component: Appearance settings → font picker → native module get-fonts

Summary

Opening any font dropdown in Settings → Appearance (Interface font / Text font /
Monospace font) crashes the renderer process with SIGTRAP. The window goes blank,
and the terminal that launched Obsidian fills with repeated:

Error sending from webFrameMain:  Error: Render frame was disposed before WebFrameMain could be accessed
    at WebFrameMain._sendInternal (...)
    at WebContents.executeJavaScript (...)

Steps to reproduce

Launch Obsidian 1.13.4 on Linux.
Open any vault.
Ctrl+, → Settings → Appearance.
Click any font dropdown (e.g. Text font).
Renderer crashes immediately; the app shows a blank/white window and keeps printing
the webFrameMain errors above.

The crash is independent of user configuration:

reproduces in a brand-new empty vault with no community plugins;
reproduces with hardware acceleration disabled (--disable-gpu);
reproduces on both the official .deb build and the Flatpak build.

Root cause

The crash is inside Obsidian’s bundled native N-API module
app.asar.unpacked/node_modules/get-fonts/binding.node
(node-addon-api 6.1.0), which enumerates system fonts for the picker.

Backtrace from the crashed renderer (core dump):

#0  electron + 0x7c6c021                      (ud2 — "internal error: entered unreachable code")
#1  FontWorker::OnOK()                        (binding.node + 0x7acc)
#2  Napi::AsyncWorker::OnAsyncWorkComplete()  (binding.node + 0x6db9)
#3  node::ThreadPoolWork ... uv__work_done    (electron)

The module (see getAvailableFonts in the not-shipped binding.cc) allocates each
font-family name with new char[len+1], but FontWorker::OnOK() frees those buffers
with a scalar sized delete operator delete(void*, size_t) passing size = 1
(binding.node offset 0x7ac7, calls _ZdlPvm@plt) instead of delete[] (_ZdaPv).
This is mismatched new[] / scalar-delete — undefined behaviour.

Under glibc malloc this UB is silently tolerated — the same module works fine in
plain Node.js and enumerates all 732 installed font families.
In Electron/Chromium the allocator (PartitionAlloc) validates the size argument of
the sized delete; the wrong size (1) triggers a CHECK / IMMEDIATE_CRASH, i.e.
SIGTRAP, and kills the renderer.

This is why it is unrelated to GPU, to any particular installed font, and to plugins.

Suggested fix

In the get-fonts module, free the font-name buffers with the matching array
deallocation: delete[] p instead of scalar delete p. Locally we confirmed that
changing that single call from _ZdlPvm@plt to _ZdaPv@plt (offset 0x7ac7)
completely fixes the crash — the picker then lists and selects fonts normally.

The source (binding.cc) is referenced by the module’s package.json but is not
shipped in the package, so the fix needs to be made upstream.

Environment details

OS:            Arch Linux (6.10.5-arch1-1)
Obsidian:      1.13.4 (deb build), also Flatpak
Electron:      43
GPU:           Intel HD Graphics 620 (Kaby Lake)
Display server: X11
Fonts:         1098 fontconfig entries
Crash signal:  SIGTRAP (5), si_code SI_KERNEL

Diagnostic artifacts available on request

Core dumps of the renderer crash (SIGTRAP).
FontWorker::OnOK disassembly of binding.node.
Independent repro: loading get-fonts directly in an Electron main process
crashes identically; in ELECTRON_RUN_AS_NODE (glibc allocator) it does not.