The embodiment of the invention discloses a global positioning system (GPS) starting method and user terminal. The GPS starting method includes the steps of a GPS module searching satellites to obtain a first GPS satellite list for storing first satellite signal information when the GPS module is under an on state, determining whether the GPS module is currently under an ineffective positioning state according to the first satellite signal information, and restarting the GPS module if the GPS module is currently under an ineffective positioning state. The GPS positioning efficiency can be improved.