Recycle Bin shows empty but it not? Don’t worry, this post will explain why it happened and teach you how to fix it quickly and easily. An easier recovery way is also covered.
Have you ever clicked on your Recycle Bin, expecting to see files you deleted, only to find it mysteriously empty? It’s a frustrating situation, especially when you know those files should be there. This common issue can leave you feeling confused and worried about your data. Several factors can cause this glitch, such as:
1. Corrupted Recycle Bin
One of the most common causes is corruption within the Recycle Bin itself. This can happen due to system crashes, improper shutdowns, or other disruptions.
2. Hidden files and folders
Sometimes, the files are present but hidden from view. Windows has settings that can make files invisible, even within the Recycle Bin.
3. System errors or bugs
Windows updates, software bugs, or unexpected errors can cause the Recycle Bin to malfunction, leading to missing or hidden files.
4. Malware or viruses
Malware can manipulate files within your system, including the Recycle Bin, causing files to become invisible or inaccessible.
If your Recycle Bin is showing empty but it's not, don’t panic. Here are some methods you can try to resolve the issue.
Sometimes, the easiest solution is to refresh the Recycle Bin.
Step 1. Right-click on your desktop.
Step 2. Click on "Refresh".
Step 3. Check the Recycle Bin again to see if the files appear.
If refreshing doesn’t work, the files might be hidden.
Step 1. Open File Explorer by clicking its icon on the taskbar.
Step 2. Click File in the left upper corner and choose Change folders and search options. Then a Folder Options window will pop up.
Step 3. Skip to the View tab and check Show hidden files, folders, and drives. Then, click Apply and then OK After that, you can see those hidden files in File Explorer.
Step 4. Go back to your Recycle Bin and see if the files are visible.
Resetting the Recycle Bin using Command Prompt can also solve this issue.
Step 1. Press Win + X and select “Command Prompt (Admin).”
Step 2. Type the command: rd /s /q C:\$Recycle.bin and press Enter.
Step 3. Restart your computer. The Recycle Bin will be reset and rebuilt automatically.
Disk Cleanup can help clear temporary files that might be causing the glitch.
Step 1. Type "disk cleanup" in the search box on the taskbar, and select Disk Cleanup from the list of results.
Step 2. Select the drive you want to clean up (like C drive), and then select "OK".
Step 3. Under "Files to delete", select the file you want to get rid of, and click "OK".
Scanning your computer for malware is essential to rule out malicious interference.
Step 1. Press "Windows + I" together to open the Settings window and click "Update & Security".
Step 2. Select "Windows Security" on the left panel and choose "Open Windows Security".
Step 3. In the Windows Security window, go to "Virus & threat protection" > "Scan options".
Step 4. You can choose different scan methods based on your needs. Here we recommend you select "Microsoft Defender Offline scan" and then click "Scan now".
If you’ve accidentally emptied your Recycle Bin, powerful data recovery software like AOMEI FastRecovery can help you effortlessly restore your lost files. Its functionality and user-friendly features make it an ideal choice for data recovery. Here’s a quick look at what it offers:
✦ Comprehensive file recovery: Retrieve deleted or lost files from various storage devices, including HDDs, USB drives, and SD cards. ✦ Supports multiple file types: Recover over 200 file types, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, photos, videos, audio, emails, and compressed files. ✦ Retain original data attributes: Recover files with their original path, filename, and format intact. ✦ Advanced scanning options: Use the search box to find specific files by entering their filenames, or let the software automatically detect all deleted and lost files after scanning. ✦ Broad file system compatibility: Works with NTFS, exFAT, and FAT32 file systems on Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, and Windows Server versions.
With AOMEI FastRecovery, you can quickly and effectively recover emptied Recycle Bin files, saving time and reducing stress.
Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI FastRecovery. Choose the exact partition or disk where your data is lost and click Scan.
Step 2. Then, the recovery tool starts to scan and search. lt will execute the “Quickly Scan" first to find your deleted data fast, and then execute the “Deep Scan" for searching other lost data.
Step 3. Once the scan is completed, all deleted files, recycle bins and other missing files will be displayed. Please select the file you would like to recover and then click "Recover".
Step 4. Then, select a folder path to save your recovered files.
Step 5. Wait patiently for this process of recovery to end.
The Recycle Bin showing empty when it’s not can be an annoying glitch, but it’s usually fixable with a few simple steps. Whether it’s refreshing the Recycle Bin, showing hidden files, or using advanced methods like Command Prompt, you can resolve this issue and keep your files safe.
By the way, you can also get a professional data recovery tool to help you retrieve missing, lost, corrupted, or deleted files from various situations.
Items may not appear in the Recycle Bin if they were permanently deleted (e.g., using Shift + Delete), too large for the Recycle Bin, deleted from an external drive, or if the Recycle Bin settings are misconfigured.
The Recycle Bin might empty automatically due to system settings, such as Storage Sense in Windows, third-party cleaning software, or insufficient storage space allocated to the Recycle Bin.
To reset the Recycle Bin, open Command Prompt as an administrator and type the command: rd /s /q C:\$Recycle.bin. This command deletes the Recycle Bin, and Windows will recreate it upon restart.
The Recycle Bin may not work due to file corruption, misconfigured settings, malware, or disk errors. Resetting or repairing the Recycle Bin, running a disk check, or updating system drivers can help fix the issue.