If emojis are not showing on your LG G6—appearing as blank boxes, squares, or missing entirely—the issue is almost always a software glitch in the keyboard, messaging app, or system font cache. You can fix it in a few minutes by clearing the keyboard’s cache, updating the app, or resetting the system font, without needing any technical expertise.
Why Emojis Disappear on the LG G6
The LG G6 runs Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box, with updates up to Android 9.0. Emojis are rendered by a system font file (NotoColorEmoji) that the OS and apps read. When that font file gets corrupted, or when a third-party keyboard or messaging app fails to load it, you see blank squares or nothing at all. Common triggers include:
- System updates that partially install or interrupt the font cache.
- Third-party keyboards (like Gboard or SwiftKey) that have their own emoji font and get out of sync with the system.
- Clearing the cache of the wrong app, which deletes the font data it needs.
- Battery-saving modes that restrict background processes, sometimes preventing the keyboard from loading emoji data.
Quick Fix: Restart and Update
Before diving into settings, do the simplest things first. A reboot clears temporary glitches in the system font service. Then check for updates:
- Open the Play Store, tap your profile icon, and go to Manage apps & device to update all apps, especially your keyboard and messaging apps.
- Go to Settings > System > Update center > System update to see if an Android update is pending. Install it if available.
If emojis still show as boxes, move to the cache and data resets below.
Clear Keyboard Cache and Data
The keyboard app is the most common culprit. On the G6, the default keyboard is LG Keyboard, but many users switch to Gboard or SwiftKey. Clearing the cache forces the keyboard to reload its emoji set.
- Go to Settings > Apps > App management.
- Tap the keyboard you use (e.g., Gboard or LG Keyboard).
- Tap Storage, then Clear cache. Do not clear data yet—that will reset your keyboard settings and word dictionary.
- Restart the phone and test emojis in a text field.
If that doesn’t work, go back and tap Clear data. This resets the keyboard to factory defaults, so you’ll need to re-enable it in Settings > General > Language & keyboard and set it as default again.
Reset System Font and Emoji Style
The G6 allows you to change the system font style, which can sometimes affect emoji rendering. Resetting it to the default can restore missing glyphs.
- Go to Settings > Display > Font style.
- Select the default font (usually named Default or Roboto).
- If you had a custom font installed, uninstall it and restart.
You can also toggle the emoji style in some LG keyboards: open the keyboard, tap the settings gear, look for Emoji style, and switch between Android and LG styles. If one is corrupted, the other often works.
Check Messaging App and Text Input
Sometimes the problem is isolated to one app. If emojis show in WhatsApp but not in the stock Messages app, the app itself is at fault.
- Clear the messaging app’s cache: Settings > Apps > Messages > Storage > Clear cache.
- If using a third-party SMS app, update it or reinstall it.
- In the keyboard settings, make sure the emoji key is enabled. On LG Keyboard, go to Keyboard settings > Key & symbols and check that the emoji smiley key is toggled on.
When to Factory Reset
If none of the above works, the system font files may be deeply corrupted. A factory reset restores the phone to its original state and will definitely fix emoji rendering, but it erases all your data. Before doing this, back up your photos, contacts, and messages to Google Drive or a PC.
- Go to Settings > System > Backup & reset.
- Tap Factory data reset and confirm.
After the reset, your phone will boot fresh. Emojis will work out of the box, but you’ll need to reinstall apps and sign in again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do emojis show as blank squares only on my LG G6?
Blank squares mean the emoji font file isn’t being read. This is usually due to a corrupted cache or a third-party keyboard that hasn’t loaded its emoji font. Clearing the keyboard’s cache or switching to the default LG Keyboard often solves it.
Will a factory reset fix emoji issues?
Yes, a factory reset will restore the system font and all app data to original state, which fixes any font corruption. But try all other steps first, because a reset wipes everything on the phone.
Do I need to download an emoji app?
No. The LG G6 has emojis built in. Downloading a third-party emoji keyboard or font app can sometimes cause more problems. Stick with the system keyboard or a well-known one like Gboard, and keep it updated.
Why do emojis work in some apps but not others?
This happens when an app has its own emoji renderer (like WhatsApp or Telegram) that uses a separate font. If the system font is fine but a specific app shows boxes, clear that app’s cache or update it.
Can a screen protector cause emoji display issues?
No. Screen protectors affect touch input, not the rendering of characters. If emojis are missing, it’s a software issue, not a hardware one.
What if my G6 is stuck on Android 7.0 and won’t update?
Older G6 units may not receive newer updates. You can still fix emoji issues by clearing caches and resetting the font. If you’re comfortable, a custom ROM can bring newer emoji support, but that’s advanced and voids warranty.
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