27, Oct 2026 RSS feed ↗

How to Start Linux Mint GUI from Command Line

To start the graphical user interface (GUI) of a Linux Mint system from the command line, you can use the startx command. This command starts the X Window System, which is the foundation of the GUI in Linux.

Here's how you can use the startx command:

  1. Log in to the system using a terminal:

Press Ctrl+Alt+F1 to switch to a text console, and log in using your username and password.

  1. Run the startx command:
startx

This will start the X Window System and launch the GUI.

Keep in mind that the startx command may not be available on all systems, and some systems may use a different method to start the GUI. If the startx command is not available, you can try using the systemctl command to start the GUI:

systemctl start gdm

This command will start the GNOME Display Manager (GDM), which is the default display manager in Linux Mint.

If you are using a different display manager, such as LightDM or XDM, you can use the corresponding systemctl command to start it. For example:

systemctl start lightdm
systemctl start xdm

You can also use the systemctl command to enable the GUI to start automatically at boot:

systemctl enable gdm
systemctl enable lightdm
systemctl enable xdm

Replace gdm, lightdm, or xdm with the display manager that you are using.

For more information on the startx and systemctl commands, you can refer to the man pages:

man startx
man systemctl
E

Evren E.

Evren Elveren is the founder of LinuxHospital, iPhonePost, iPhonePedia, CasinoPost, SongArea, SongLyrics.band and LyricsKid. An entrepreneur active in online publishing and digital projects since 2006, he brings a publisher's perspective to the way technology, entertainment and online businesses develop. His background in architecture informs his interest in design, usability and the small details that make a product or website work well. Evren writes about consumer technology, Linux, digital finance and music, connecting product announcements with their wider business and cultural context. Across the network, his editorial focus is on clear explanations, useful comparisons and practical information that helps readers understand a change before deciding what to do next.

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