How to Access Grub Menu Linux Mint
To access grub menu linux mint, restart the computer and hold down the Shift key on many BIOS systems, or press Esc repeatedly on many UEFI systems just as the machine starts to boot. If the menu still does not appear, it may be hidden by the GRUB timeout settings, fast boot, or a very short startup window. In that case, you can change GRUB settings so the menu shows every time.
What the GRUB menu is
GRUB, short for GNU GRand Unified Bootloader, is the menu that appears before Linux Mint starts. It lets you choose which operating system or kernel to boot, and it is also useful for recovery options if the system has startup problems.
On some Linux Mint installs, the GRUB menu is visible for a few seconds. On others, it is hidden and only appears if you press the right key during startup.
How to open the GRUB menu at boot
The easiest way to open GRUB is to interrupt the boot process at the right moment. The exact key depends on whether your system uses BIOS/Legacy boot or UEFI boot, but the following methods work in most cases.
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Restart the computer completely.
Do not use a normal logout or restart from within a frozen system if you can avoid it. A full reboot gives you a cleaner chance to catch the boot menu.
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Press the GRUB key as soon as the computer starts.
Try holding Shift on BIOS/Legacy systems, or tap Esc repeatedly on many UEFI systems. Start pressing the key immediately after the manufacturer logo appears, or even just before it disappears.
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Keep pressing until the menu appears.
The timing matters. If you press too early or too late, the system may skip straight into Linux Mint.
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Select the option you need.
Once GRUB appears, use the arrow keys to choose Linux Mint, another operating system, or advanced options such as recovery mode.
Which key works on Linux Mint?
There is no single key that works on every machine. The most common choices are:
- Shift, often used on BIOS/Legacy systems
- Esc, often used on UEFI systems
Some systems show a boot menu key from the manufacturer before GRUB even loads. That is separate from the GRUB menu itself. If your computer gives you a one-time boot menu key, you may need to press that first before Linux Mint begins to load.
If GRUB does not appear
If you keep missing the menu or it never shows up, the issue is usually one of three things: the timing is off, the menu is hidden, or the system is booting too quickly.
1. Try the key at a different moment
Pressing the key too early or too late is the most common problem. If Shift does not work, try Esc. If tapping does not work, try holding the key down from the moment you restart until the menu appears.
2. Check whether fast boot is enabled
Fast Boot in the firmware settings, or Windows Fast Startup on dual-boot systems, can shorten the time available to open GRUB. If your machine boots too quickly, disable fast boot features in the firmware setup and, if applicable, in Windows power settings.
3. Make sure the menu is not hidden
Linux Mint can be configured to hide GRUB by default. If that is the case, you may need to change the GRUB configuration so the menu appears long enough to select an option.
How to show the GRUB menu every startup
If you want GRUB to appear each time you boot, you can change the timeout settings. This is useful for dual-boot systems or when you regularly need recovery options.
Before you edit boot settings, be careful. A small mistake in GRUB configuration can make the system harder to boot, so it is smart to back up the file first.
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Open a terminal.
You can use the menu or press Ctrl + Alt + T.
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Back up the GRUB configuration file.
The main file is usually
/etc/default/grub. A backup gives you an easy way to restore the original settings if needed. -
Edit the GRUB settings.
Open
/etc/default/grubwith a text editor using administrator privileges. Look for settings such asGRUB_TIMEOUTandGRUB_TIMEOUT_STYLE. -
Set the menu to display.
A common setup is to use a visible timeout, for example a positive
GRUB_TIMEOUTvalue. If the menu is hidden, changingGRUB_TIMEOUT_STYLEfrom a hidden mode to a visible mode can help. -
Save the file and update GRUB.
Run
sudo update-grubso the changes take effect. -
Reboot and confirm the result.
The GRUB menu should now appear during startup for the amount of time you set.
Common GRUB settings to know
| Setting | What it affects | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
GRUB_TIMEOUT | How long the menu stays on screen | Controls how much time you have to choose an option |
GRUB_TIMEOUT_STYLE | Whether the menu is shown or hidden | Useful if GRUB disappears too quickly or never appears |
/etc/default/grub | Main GRUB configuration file | Where you make the permanent boot menu change |
sudo update-grub | Applies configuration changes | Required after editing GRUB settings on Linux Mint |
BIOS vs UEFI notes
How to access the GRUB menu can differ slightly depending on the firmware type.
- BIOS/Legacy systems: The Shift key is often the one that reveals GRUB.
- UEFI systems: The Esc key is often the better choice.
If you are not sure which one your machine uses, try both. The difference matters because the boot timing window can be very short, and the wrong key may do nothing even though GRUB is installed correctly.
Troubleshooting tips if the menu still stays hidden
If you still cannot open GRUB, work through these checks in order:
- Try both Shift and Esc.
- Press the key repeatedly right after power-on instead of waiting for the logo to finish.
- Disable fast boot in firmware settings if available.
- If dual-booting with Windows, disable Windows Fast Startup.
- Check whether
GRUB_TIMEOUTis set to zero or whether the menu is configured to stay hidden. - Re-run
sudo update-grubafter any change to the GRUB config.
If the system still skips the menu after these steps, the issue may be specific to your hardware or boot configuration, and it may help to review your Mint boot setup more closely before making further changes.
Frequently Asked Questions About how to access grub menu linux mint
How do I access the GRUB menu in Linux Mint?
Restart the computer and press Shift on many BIOS systems or Esc on many UEFI systems during startup. If the menu does not appear, it may be hidden or the timing may be off.
Which key opens the GRUB menu on Linux Mint?
Usually Shift or Esc. The correct key depends on your firmware type and how quickly the machine boots.
Why is the GRUB menu not showing on startup?
Common reasons include a hidden GRUB timeout, fast boot, Windows Fast Startup on dual-boot systems, or pressing the key at the wrong moment.
How do I make GRUB appear every time in Linux Mint?
Edit /etc/default/grub, adjust GRUB_TIMEOUT and, if needed, GRUB_TIMEOUT_STYLE, then run sudo update-grub.
Does UEFI change how I open the GRUB menu?
Yes, often it does. On UEFI systems, Esc is more commonly used than Shift, although some machines behave differently.
Is it safe to edit GRUB settings?
Yes, as long as you are careful and back up the file first. After editing, always run sudo update-grub so the system uses the new settings.
Conclusion
The quickest way to access grub menu linux mint is to press Shift or Esc during startup, depending on whether your system uses BIOS or UEFI. If that does not work, the menu may be hidden or the boot process may be too fast. In that case, adjust the GRUB timeout settings so the menu appears long enough for you to use it.