Unreadable text when selected “Use Windows theme”

[avi12]

Windows Terminal version

1.23.12811.0

Windows build number

10.0.26200.0

Other Software

No response

Steps to reproduce

1. Have Windows in light theme
2. Open Settings tab
3. Appearance
4. Application Theme -> Use Windows theme
5. Click Save

Expected Behavior

Actual Behavior

If Windows 11 is in light mode:

Otherwise, if it's in dark mode:

[milind899]

Workarounds for the Windows Terminal Theme Bug

1. Use Explicit Terminal Theme

• Open Terminal Settings → Appearance
• Change Application Theme from “Use Windows theme” to either:
  • Light, or
  • Dark
• This avoids the bug completely.

2. Switch Windows to Dark Mode

• Go to Windows Settings → Personalization → Colours
• Set Choose your mode = Dark
• Now “Use Windows theme” works properly in Windows Terminal.
• Note: Only recommended if you don’t mind using Windows in dark mode.

3. Disable Transparency / Acrylic Effects

• Open Terminal Settings → Appearance
• Turn off:
  • Use acrylic material in the tab row
  • (and other transparency options if enabled)
• Restart Windows Terminal.
• This may fix issues caused by light-theme blending with acrylic.

4. Check for Windows Terminal Updates

• Update via Microsoft Store or the official GitHub releases.
• The issue may be resolved in a future version.

@avi12

[avi12]

As you suggested I currently use Light or Dark options

[milind899]

As you suggested I currently use Light or Dark options

is your issue resolved?

[avi12]

No, it's only a workaround
It will be considered resolved when the bug will be fixed

[carlos-zamora]

Thanks for filing! Managed to get a repro immediately. Looks like this has to do with XAML not reloading properly. As another workaround, it looks like if you close and relaunch Terminal it fixes itself.