My recovery mode isn't working

[levmc]

I pressed command R as I was restarting but it didn't go to recovery mode, it just goes to the normal screen.
My iMac is 2017.

 

[chscag]

You're either pressing too soon or too late. I have the same machine and I wait until I see the screen go from dark to a dim light, then I press Command + R. Works every time. If that doesn't work, maybe you don't have a Recovery partition?

 

[Fishrrman]

Press the power button, and immediately hold down "command-R" and KEEP HOLDING IT DOWN for a while.
Does this make a difference?

Just wondering... are you using a wireless keyboard?
Do you have a WIRED keyboard around?
If so, have you tried using that instead?

 

[chscag]

I have the Apple Magic Keyboard 2 (wireless BT) and it works every time for me. But it might be a good idea to try a wired keyboard.

 

[levmc]

It works now that I pressed it immediately after the grey screen appeared and also held it for a while.

 

[chscag]

Okay, great. "Big Sur" brings back the POST chime where it will be a lot easier to press the keys as soon as you hear the chime. Right now though, you have to carefully watch the screen (as you found out).