# Codex App will only load in background **URL:** \ **Category:** Codex\ **Tags:** codex, bugs\ **Created:** [April 25, 2026, 8:36am UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/codex-app-will-only-load-in-background/1379735 "2026-04-25T08:36:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/cdc98d/32.png) [@pic](https://community.openai.com/u/pic)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2026, 8:36am UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/codex-app-will-only-load-in-background/1379735/1 "2026-04-25T08:36:41Z")
![Screenshot 2026-04-25 at 3.25.26 AM](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/openai1/original/4X/d/9/a/d9a4822027dd66e600e4e688e9d7e4276b419273.jpeg) On Mac mini M4 running OS Tahoe 26.3. Fresh installation, I am able to sign into Codex but after that occurs the issues begin. Tried restarting app, computer, and reinstalling. It will load in the background if I click into another application window, but will immediately display the loading logo if I click into the Codex application. I tried various ChatGPT recommend things (lol) like running with GPU disabled but nothing has worked so far. Any similar instances or advice would be good to know. ---
**Author:** ![pic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/cdc98d/32.png) [@pic](https://community.openai.com/u/pic)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2026, 8:37am UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/codex-app-will-only-load-in-background/1379735/2 "2026-04-25T08:37:27Z")
![Screenshot 2026-04-25 at 3.25.13 AM](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/openai1/original/4X/1/9/a/19a3cc80c3d6d2a65c961f44a73350dcb5c29522.jpeg) it would only let me upload one photo so here is the one showing it “works” in the background ---
**Author:** ![nileshsurya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90ced4/32.png) [@nileshsurya](https://community.openai.com/u/nileshsurya)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2026, 12:50pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/codex-app-will-only-load-in-background/1379735/3 "2026-04-25T12:50:31Z")
After updating codex desktop app, facing exactly same issue. OS Windows 10 (Version 22H2) ---
**Author:** ![franco.lorio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/85e7bf/32.png) [@franco.lorio](https://community.openai.com/u/franco.lorio)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2026, 2:56pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/codex-app-will-only-load-in-background/1379735/4 "2026-04-25T14:56:29Z")
Open codex in terminal → `/logout` → open codex app again → solved ---
**Author:** ![nileshsurya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90ced4/32.png) [@nileshsurya](https://community.openai.com/u/nileshsurya)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2026, 4:04pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/codex-app-will-only-load-in-background/1379735/5 "2026-04-25T16:04:38Z")
Tried that, does not work. In terminal – Codex logout, then reopened codex app and relogin, still same. chat windows shows up when the app is in background, but when we bring the app to foreground then splash screen with codex logo is displayed making it impossible to work. ---
**Author:** ![franco.lorio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/85e7bf/32.png) [@franco.lorio](https://community.openai.com/u/franco.lorio)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2026, 4:38pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/codex-app-will-only-load-in-background/1379735/6 "2026-04-25T16:38:38Z")
mmm maybe uninstall the codex app first → install it again → then repeat the process ---
**Author:** ![pic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/cdc98d/32.png) [@pic](https://community.openai.com/u/pic)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2026, 11:29pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/codex-app-will-only-load-in-background/1379735/7 "2026-04-25T23:29:51Z")
that does not work either ---
**Author:** ![roamerlove](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a88e4f/32.png) [@roamerlove](https://community.openai.com/u/roamerlove)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2026, 3:25am UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/codex-app-will-only-load-in-background/1379735/8 "2026-04-26T03:25:42Z")
Yes, I also encountered it. Before that, I used it very smoothly. I even tried clearing the entire `.codex `directory, but it still didn’t work, like playing hide and seek. Once the window is focused, it immediately enters the loading state. ---
**Author:** ![nileshsurya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90ced4/32.png) [@nileshsurya](https://community.openai.com/u/nileshsurya)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2026, 9:13am UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/codex-app-will-only-load-in-background/1379735/9 "2026-04-26T09:13:02Z")
I tested this also with a Fresh Windows 11 Pro installation, still facing the same issue. ---
**Author:** ![chandypants](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/openai1/user_avatar/community.openai.com/chandypants/32/737979_2.png) [@chandypants](https://community.openai.com/u/chandypants)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2026, 4:47pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/codex-app-will-only-load-in-background/1379735/10 "2026-04-26T16:47:55Z")
Bruh. This saved me. Thank you!