An image forming apparatus of the invention can operate in a first mode for performing an image forming process and a second mode having low power consumption at a time of stop of the image forming process, and includes a detection unit to detect the presence and absence of an error of the image forming apparatus, an operation panel having a display unit capable of displaying a detection result of the detection unit, a main control unit to control a mode to switch to the second mode when the error is detected in the first mode and to control a mode to return to the first mode when the error is removed in the second mode, a power source unit to supply power necessary for an operation of each of the modes, and a display control unit to turn the display unit on at any time in the first mode, to turn the display unit off in the second mode, and to turn the display unit on when an operation unit is operated in the second mode.