Dock disappears randomly on macOS Tahoe 26.0

Question

Dock disappears randomly on macOS Tahoe 26.0

Since updating to macOS Tahoe 26.0 (release version) on my MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2021, Apple M1 Max), I’ve noticed that the Dock occasionally disappears and does not return. Dock is set to always show (auto-hide is off).

The only way I’ve found to restore it quickly is by opening Spotlight → typing Terminal → and running killall Dock. This instantly brings the Dock back without needing to toggle settings.

I’ve already reported this bug to Apple via the official macOS feedback form, but I wanted to share it here in case others are experiencing the same issue — and also to provide this quick workaround until Apple releases a fix.

Has anyone else run into this?

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 26.0

Posted on Sep 17, 2025 6:45 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 1, 2025 5:49 AM in response to Richard Schumacher

Command-Option-D toggles the hiding of the Dock.

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Answer 2

Dec 1, 2025 4:59 AM in response to peg269

Oh really? I woke up just now to find the Dock gone. It reappeared after a few minutes of wiggling and clicking stuff. Tahoe 26.1 here.

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Answer 3

Nov 24, 2025 5:04 PM in response to KethSelhan1986

I have encountered situations where either Chrome crashes or Edge crashes, and consequently, the Dock becomes unresponsive, but I'm unsure if the Dock stops responding first or if the browser crashes first.

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Answer 4

Nov 24, 2025 9:36 AM in response to seb from amsterdam

This helped me since the dock easily moved to my second screen and went in to hiding. With the command it stays put on my main screen (Mac M1) when opening an app on my 2nd screen.

Before using the command set your dock NOT TO AUTOHIDE, otherwise it will stay hidden for 999 secs !

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Answer 5

peg269

Level 1

12 points

Nov 24, 2025 8:58 AM in response to KethSelhan1986

apple has fixed the problem with their last system update...everything is good now!!

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Answer 6

Nov 24, 2025 8:24 AM in response to seb from amsterdam

seb from amsterdam wrote:

try in terminal.

defaults write com.apple.Dock autohide-delay -float 999 && killall Dock

The OP reported that the problem with the Dock disappearing when not expected to has been resolved with 26.1.

In any case, the above command may have unintended consequences.

It should make the Dock be virtually invisible permanently, if auto-hide is true; and should have no effect otherwise...

You are basically declaring that when pressing the cursor against the edge where the Dock is, a delay of 999 seconds, or 16 minutes and 39 seconds, will occur before the Dock appears...

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Answer 7

Nov 24, 2025 7:53 AM in response to KethSelhan1986

try in terminal.

defaults write com.apple.Dock autohide-delay -float 999 && killall Dock

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Answer 8

MacGuy86

Level 1

32 points

Nov 12, 2025 7:19 AM in response to KethSelhan1986

Since I updated to 26.1, the dock issue has been resolved for me.

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Answer 9

Nov 11, 2025 3:05 PM in response to KethSelhan1986

Update (Nov 11, 2025):

After installing macOS Tahoe 26.1 (released Nov 3, 2025), I ran multiple tests to verify if the Dock issue persists.

Here are my observations:

From screensaver: Dock remains visible after waking, regardless of the wake method (keyboard, mouse click, or trackpad click).

From sleep: Dock also remains visible and stable.

Touchpad tap or cursor movement do not wake the system — expected behavior.

Touchpad click successfully wakes the Mac — Dock stays visible.

No “false wake” behavior was observed (system no longer wakes twice or flickers before returning to desktop).

Both screensaver and Dock are now functioning normally on my setup.

So far, everything appears stable.

It seems that version 26.1 may have resolved the Dock disappearance issue seen in previous releases.

Hopefully this helps others who were affected by the same behavior.

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Answer 10

Nov 11, 2025 7:14 AM in response to KethSelhan1986

I had this exact issue. Installing update 26.1 seems to have corrected it so I would give that a try.

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Answer 11

Nov 11, 2025 6:48 AM in response to Thomas Thrasher

Thnks, did it already 3x this week :D

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Answer 12

Nov 3, 2025 3:01 PM in response to KethSelhan1986

26.1 is out. What's your experience? Is it fixed?

I swear this is in the top 5 of most annoying OS bugs ever.

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Answer 13

Nov 2, 2025 4:48 PM in response to KethSelhan1986

I've experienced a similar issue. I hope they resolve it, as the Dock disappears after waking from the screensaver, even though it's set to always show. It's quite annoying and difficult to get it back. Thanks for sharing the Command-Option-D shortcut – it makes things much easier. However, Apple, please fix this seemingly minor yet very frustrating problem.

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Answer 14

Oct 29, 2025 1:10 PM in response to KethSelhan1986

Dock disappears ever since upgrade to Tahoe 26.0. I can bring it back with putting computeer to sleep.

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Answer 15

Oct 26, 2025 1:37 PM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Specifically, what is the Command Option D actually do besides "fix" the disappearance of the dock? does this option permanently change the disappearance or is it required each time? What is the purpose of Command Option D?

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