Dock disappeared on your Mac? Five reasons and how to get it back
The Dock usually is not gone: it is hidden, on another screen, or behind a full screen app. Each cause, how to tell, and the one shortcut that brings it back.
How do I get my Dock back on my Mac?
Press ⌘ ⌥ D. That switches Automatically hide and show the Dock, the setting behind most missing Docks, and the Dock comes straight back. If it does not, work down the causes below.
Why did my Dock disappear?
- Auto hide is on. The Dock slides away until the pointer touches the edge. It was on, on our test Mac. Move the pointer to the bottom edge, or turn it off in System Settings, Desktop & Dock.
- A full screen app is in front. The Dock hides in full screen. Move the pointer to the bottom edge and hold it there, or leave full screen with
⌘⌃F. - It moved to another display. With a second screen, the Dock jumps to whichever display's bottom edge you push the pointer into. Look on the other screen.
- It moved to a side. Check the left and right edges; Position on screen may have changed.
- The Dock stopped responding. If it is visible but frozen, or blank, restart it. See a frozen Dock.
How do I permanently make the Dock visible?
Turn off Automatically hide and show the Dock in System Settings, Desktop & Dock. The Dock then stays put, except over full screen apps.
Why does my Dock disappear when I open an app?
The app opened in full screen. Hover over the green button at the top left of its window and choose to exit full screen, or press ⌘ ⌃ F.
Checked on 16 October 2026 on a MacBook Air (M1) running macOS 27.0.1, by reading the Dock's settings, the labels in System Settings and the keyboard shortcut list. Nothing was changed. autohide was 1 (on) on this Mac.
Questions
What is the shortcut to bring back the Dock on Mac?
Command Option D. It switches auto hide on or off.
Why is my Dock missing on my Mac?
Usually auto hide is on, a full screen app is in front, or the Dock moved to another display or a side of the screen.
How do I keep my Dock from hiding on Mac?
Turn off Automatically hide and show the Dock in System Settings, Desktop & Dock.
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