Time Machine back up help needed on my 5k iMac late 2014.

You did not answer the question above, so I will re-phrase and re-ask it.

"What has happened, that requires you to do a full Restore from your Time Machine backup?"

Beatlejoose wrote:

I can't even try to restore a specific day or any day as the entire time machine access to restore has been taken away. after I get into time machine from my home screen, the restore button is not highlighted, only the cancel button is highlighted

Normally you would use that method to restore a single file or two, not a full restore.

If you want to do a full restore from Time Machine, then you will need to read

"Restore all your files" at > Restore your Mac from a backup - Apple Support

"Restore both macOS your files" at > Restore your Mac from a backup - Apple Support

You're welcome.

Yeah' for the most part, I only use Time Machine to do full restores after upgrading an internal drive and/or for moving user data to a new Mac. In addition to Time Machine, I use CarbonCopyCloner which has actually been around for longer than Time Machine.

OK that makes sense now. I though that you were trying to go back to a day and do a full restore. Glad to here that you were able to recover what you were looking for.

What has happened in more detail, that requires you to Restore from your Time Machine backup?

What happens when you follow the directions, at > Restore your Mac from a backup - Apple Support