Why is a wallpaper the only thing showing on our iMac when it starts up?

On our iMac at startup, we are only seeing wallpaper. No menu bar and no dock. I had selected extended screen prior to this. Have tried getting back in to System Preferences but I can't even do that right now. HELP!

iMac

Posted on Jan 1, 2023 2:50 PM

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1 reply

Johnb-one

Level 6

9,180 points

Jan 1, 2023 4:42 PM in response to Appleandnetgearrouter

Hi, Appleandnetgearrouter

could you tell us more about your iMac please?

there should be a model number on the “foot” of your iMac… it starts with “A, then 4 numbers”… write that down/remember it and go to everymac.com ( there should be a search feature there, it’ll tell you if you have an Intel iMac or an M1 iMac… what to do next depends on what kind of iMac you have …

Try this for an M1 Mac ( apple silicon)

If your Mac starts up to a blank screen - Apple Support

john b

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Why is a wallpaper the only thing showing on our iMac when it starts up?

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