# Why the NotchStar star is missing from the menu bar

> The NotchStar star can hide behind the notch on a crowded menu bar. Free space, quit other icons or check that the app is running.

Canonical: https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-menu-bar-icon-missing/
Last updated: 2026-11-04

Published 2026-11-04.

If you cannot see the NotchStar star in the menu bar, it is either not running or hidden behind the notch. A crowded menu bar can push icons under the notch, where you cannot click them.

## Is it running

NotchStar has no Dock icon. Open Activity Monitor and search for NotchStar. If it is not listed, open the app from Applications. The notch panel will also appear when it runs. See [install from the disk image](https://www.notchstar.com/help/install-notchstar-from-dmg/).

## Make room

1. Quit menu bar apps you do not need.
2. In System Settings, Control Center, choose which built in items show in the menu bar and turn off some.
3. Hold Command and drag icons to reorder them, so the star sits to the right of the notch.

The [hidden menu bar icons guide](https://www.notchstar.com/guides/mac-menu-bar-icons-hidden-by-notch/) lists more fixes.

## You can still use NotchStar

The notch itself works without the star. Move to the notch to open it, then use the gear in the header for Settings and the pin for **Keep open**. To close the app without the star, quit it from Activity Monitor. See [quit NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/quit-notchstar/).

## If the notch is also gone

Read [why the notch does not open](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-notch-does-not-open/). Mac without a notch: the pill appears instead, covered in [Macs without a notch](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notch-app-on-mac-without-notch/).

The [System Stats tool](https://www.notchstar.com/features/system-stats/) is a good test that the app is alive once you can open it.

## Quick answers.

### Can I hide the star on purpose?

NotchStar has no setting to hide it. Hiding comes only from a crowded menu bar.

## Keep reading.

- [Mac notch menu bar replacement: fix hidden icons](https://www.notchstar.com/guides/mac-menu-bar-icons-hidden-by-notch/): If menu bar icons disappear behind the MacBook notch, compare built in fixes, menu bar managers, TopNotch and notch utilities before replacing anything.
- [How to quit NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/quit-notchstar/): Click the star in the menu bar and choose Quit NotchStar, or press Command Q while its menu is open. Quitting clears clipboard history and the shelf.
- [Why the NotchStar notch does not open](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-notch-does-not-open/): If the notch does not open on hover, check the star in the menu bar, the Open notch setting, the screen it is on and whether it is pinned or stuck.
- [CPU, memory, disk, battery and network](https://www.notchstar.com/features/system-stats/): Live CPU, memory, disk, battery and network speed gauges in your Mac notch. Sampling only runs while the tab is open, so it stays light.

## More in Troubleshooting.

- [Why the NotchStar notch does not open](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-notch-does-not-open/): If the notch does not open on hover, check the star in the menu bar, the Open notch setting, the screen it is on and whether it is pinned or stuck.
- [Why a NotchStar tool is blank or empty](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-tool-blank/): A blank NotchStar tool usually means a missing permission, nothing to show yet, a hidden tab or the trial prompt. Check each tool here.
- [How to report a NotchStar bug](https://www.notchstar.com/help/report-a-notchstar-bug/): Email hello@notchstar.com with your macOS version, Mac model, the NotchStar version and what you expected. Short steps to repeat the problem help most.
- [Why NotchStar is not showing the song that is playing](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-now-playing-not-showing/): If Now Playing is empty, start playback in Music or Spotify, check Automation and read the notes on apps that do not report to macOS.