How to Enable UTF-8 Support in Linux Terminal (2023)

There could also be instances when you’re working within the Linux terminal and abruptly see the “can’t set the locale” error and see some mysterious characters like “��”. This error happens resulting from misconfigured or lacking UTF-8 encoding help in Linux. UTF-8 locale help turns into essential when you’re utilizing a language apart from English or utilizing emojis. So on this article, we’ll first clarify what’s UTF-8, after which present learn how to allow UTF-8 help in Linux in case it’s lacking.

Enabling UTF-8 Assist in Linux (2023)

What Does UTF-8 Imply?

UTF-8 stands for “UCS Transformation Format 8,” and it’s the commonest type of character encoding for Unicode. Right here, every distinctive character is mapped to one-byte models. And since one byte consists of 8 bits, thus, UTF consists of “-8” in its identify. These bytes are lastly interpreted by the language processor into binary for the processor to know our human language.

The setting variable locale supplies help for UTF-8 in Linux and will be modified in simple steps by way of the terminal. It allows your Linux system to indicate characters accurately from completely different languages in a textual content file or web site.

Tips on how to Allow UTF-8 Locale in Linux

Putting in locale Package deal

The locale bundle is normally put in throughout the set up of your Linux distro, however generally, it might probably get corrupted and present some errors to make use of. If you’re dealing with points, we first recommend pasting the under command within the Linux Terminal to verify if the locale bundle is put in in your pc:

sudo dpkg -l locales

If the native bundle is put in in your system, you’ll get an identical output as under:

In the event you get any errors or lacking values within the output, then it is advisable to set up the locales bundle utilizing the command under. Then, you’ll be able to manually allow help for UTF-8 in Linux.

sudo apt-get set up locales

Setting the Right Locale (UTF-8)

1. Upon getting put in the bundle, it is advisable to regenerate the locales to allow UTF-8 help by way of the under command within the Linux terminal:

sudo dpkg-reconfigure locales

2. The above command is used to regenerate the locales for all of the languages accessible. Transfer down the listing utilizing the arrow keys and choose your most well-liked UTF – 8 locales to allow. We now have chosen “en_US.UTF-8” (English UTF-8) on this tutorial.

3. Subsequent, set the default locale as “en_US.UTF-8” and hit Enter. This may regenerate the chosen UTF-8 locale in your Linux Terminal.

Make locale Adjustments Everlasting

1. After the above command has completed regenerating the locale, open the .bashrc file utilizing this command within the Terminal:

sudo vim .bashrc

2. As soon as the file opens within the Vim editor within the Terminal, copy and paste the next traces on the finish of the .bashrc file.

export LC_ALL=en_US.UTF-8
export LANG=
export LANGUAGE=

3. After including these, it is advisable to exit the vim editor. For that, you first have to press the “Esc” key after which kind “:w” to save lots of and exit the file.

Confirm the Adjustments Made

After going by so many steps, you should be skeptical about whether or not UTF – 8 help for the Linux terminal has been enabled or not. To confirm the modifications, run the locale command within the Terminal. You’ll now see the modifications you made to the .bashrc configuration file. Lastly, reboot the system to have the UTF-8 locale help come into impact.

[SOLVED] Lacking UTF-8 Assist in Linux Terminal

With UTF – 8 help disabled within the Linux Terminal, it might probably result in a reasonably irritating expertise for many customers because the textual content comes out as gibberish and is unreadable. Nonetheless, with the steps now we have proven above, we hope you have been capable of allow help for the UTF-8 locale in your Linux pc. In the event you face any points in fixing this drawback, tell us within the feedback under. Additionally, if you are right here, take a look at the important Linux Terminal instructions that everybody ought to know.