# Why the 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.

Canonical: https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-notch-does-not-open/
Last updated: 2026-11-04

Published 2026-11-04.

If the NotchStar notch does not open, check these in order: the app is running, Open notch is set to the mode you expect, and the pointer is on the right screen. Most cases are one of the first two.

## 1. Is it running

Look for the star in the menu bar. If it is not there, open NotchStar from Applications. The star can hide behind the notch on a crowded bar. See [hidden menu bar icons](https://www.notchstar.com/guides/mac-menu-bar-icons-hidden-by-notch/).

## 2. Hover or click

Open **Settings**, General, and check **Open notch**. If it says **On click**, hovering will do nothing. Click the notch instead, or switch back to **On hover**. Details are in [how hover opening works](https://www.notchstar.com/help/how-hover-opens-notchstar/).

## 3. The right screen

The notch is on the screen that has the notch. With an external display, move the pointer to the top centre of the laptop screen. Without a notch, look for the floating pill. See [external displays](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-on-external-display/).

## 4. A drag in progress

Hovering a screenshot in the strip under the notch, or dragging one, does not open the notch by design. Move the pointer away, then back to the notch itself. The [Screenshot Tray](https://www.notchstar.com/features/screenshot-tray/) explains the strip.

## 5. Restart

Choose **Quit NotchStar** from the star menu and open it again. If it opens but a tool is empty, see [a tool is blank](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-tool-blank/). If nothing helps, send the details in [report a bug](https://www.notchstar.com/help/report-a-notchstar-bug/).

## Is the trial the problem

No. When the trial ends the notch still opens. It shows a buy prompt in the tool area.

## Quick answers.

### The notch opens and closes quickly. What can I do?

Switch Open notch to On click in Settings, or use the pin to keep it open.

## Keep reading.

- [How hover opening works in NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/how-hover-opens-notchstar/): Move the pointer to the notch and NotchStar opens after a short pause of 80 milliseconds. The open panel is 660 by 296 points. Click mode is in Settings.
- [Where NotchStar appears with an external display](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-on-external-display/): NotchStar sits on the built in notched screen when there is one. On a Mac without a notch it uses macOS main display. Here is what to expect.
- [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.
- [Screenshot Tray: your screenshots wait under the notch](https://www.notchstar.com/features/screenshot-tray/): Every screenshot lands in a tray under your Mac notch. Drag it into a chat, an email or a folder, or send several at once.

## More in Troubleshooting.

- [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.
- [Why the NotchStar star is missing from the menu bar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-menu-bar-icon-missing/): 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.