Unless you’re using the shift + del shortcut to immediately erase dispensable files, none of them are deleted for good. They go to the Recycle Bin, a unique directory where “deleted” data can be purged or restored. However, a corrupted Recycle Bin can make data unreadable. In this case, you’ll need to repair or reset the Recycle Bin using the Command Prompt, CHKDSK utility tool, or System File Checker.
While Recycle Bin errors are uncommon, fixing them right away is crucial since Recycle Bin is an essential utility tool and safety net for your computer. Now that we’ve covered how a corrupted Recycle Bin can put your data at risk, let’s explore the most common ways to fix this issue.
Methods to Fix a Corrupted Recycle Bin in Windows
From here, we’ll explore different ways to fix a corrupted Recycle Bin in Windows 10/11. Some of these troubleshooting steps may still work in an older version of a Windows Operating System (OS), but please note that the User Interface (UI) referenced in this guide is from the latest OS versions.
Method 1: Resetting the Recycle Bin (Command Prompt Method)
Command Prompt can optimize processes or fix many faults in your Windows PC. Here, we can also reset the Recycle Bin to its default state.
Step 1: Type “cmd” on Windows search to open Command Prompt. Click the option to run as administrator.
Step 2: Type in the command rd /s /q X:\$Recycle.bin and press Enter. In this case, replace “X” with the drive where the corrupted Recycle Bin is located.
Step 3: Follow the process, then restart your PC to allow Windows to create a new Recycle Bin directory.
Resetting will delete all the temporary folders and files stored in the Recycle Bin. In most cases, this is enough to restore the Recycle Bin to its reliable state.
Method 2: Running System File Checker (SFC) and DISM
The System File Checker (SFC) tool scans for corrupted or missing system files and replaces them with a clean cached copy to restore the original files.
Step 1: Open and run the Command Prompt as an administrator.
Step 2: Type the sfc /scannow command and press Enter.
Step 3: Wait several minutes for the scan to complete.
Step 4: If the SFC tool identifies and repairs corrupted files, reboot the PC and verify if the Recycle Bin issue has been resolved.
If the SFC command didn’t solve the problem, you can also try the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) command. To do this, type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth and press Enter to run a quick scan. After verifying the scanned data, the DISM tool will connect to the “Windows Update” servers to download and replace any damaged file.
Method 3: Checking for Disk Errors with CHKDSK
CHKDSK is another powerful utility tool for scanning files and fixing errors. You can also run chkdsk from the Command Prompt or Powershell.
Step 1: Enter “cmd” on Windows search to access Command Prompt. Run as administrator. You may also use PowerShell to complete this process.
Step 2: In the Command Prompt window, type chkdsk C: /f /r and hit Enter to start a scan and repair process. You may replace C: with the drive where the corrupted Recycle Bin is located. The /f parameter fixes file system errors, and /r identifies bad sectors and recovers readable information.
Step 3: CHKDSK will then prompt if you want to schedule the drive scan for the next reboot. Type “Y” for Yes and hit Enter to confirm.
Step 4: Let CHKDSK run. Depending on the size of the drive and the number of errors found, this process may take some time.
Step 5: Once the scan has been completed, Restart the PC and check if the issues have been resolved.
CHKDSK is usually effective in repairing file system errors. However, it cannot restore previously deleted files or data lost during the repair process. Also, CHKDSK only works for local disks. The command cannot be initiated with a drive that’s been redirected to the network.
Method 4: Manually Deleting the Recycle Bin Folder
Here’s how to delete and recreate a Recycle Bin folder using File Explorer.
Step 1: Open File Explorer.
Step 2: Select View. Hover over to the Show option and select Hidden items. You can also check our complete guide for managing hidden files in Windows 11.
Step 3: In the navigation bar, type the path C:$Recycle.Bin and press Enter. You may replace C: with the drive where your Recycle Bin is located.
Step 4: Delete the content of the folder and Restart your PC.
Deleting the Recycle Bin folder will remove the Recycle Bin functionality on that designated drive. Upon restart, the system will create a new Recycle Bin folder.
Method 5: Restoring Windows to a Previous State
System Restore Points allow you to return your PC to a previous state without compromising the directories. However, this can be a drastic step since system files and settings will be reverted to a restore point or snapshot.
Step 1: Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box, type rstrui, and press Enter.
Step 2: On the System Restore window, choose a restore point from when your Recycle Bin was working correctly. Click Next to continue.
Step 3: Review the details of the restore point and click Finish to confirm.
Step 4: Restart your computer.
Your computer will reboot to the selected restore point. You can now check if the Recycle Bin is back to its working condition. Feel free to check our guide on how to set up a restore point for your Windows device.
Causes of a Corrupted Recycle Bin
Imagine that you’re going about your day as usual without a hitch when suddenly, a document is accidentally deleted. You check the bin, attempt to restore the file, and BOOM! You get a “Recycle Bin is corrupted” error. But what led to this anomaly in the first place?
There may be a few factors, but these are the most common reasons:
- A malware attack
- Failed system update (e.g., recycle bin corrupted after Windows Update)
- An abrupt shutdown or interruption
- Errors in the file system
A file system error is among the usual causes of a corrupted Recycle Bin. This error messes with the hierarchical structure where data is stored, retrieved, and managed on your device. Hence, some data is returned as invalid and cannot be processed by the computer, leading to various issues.
Malware can also target your directories, including the Recycle Bin. When this happens, you might encounter a ton of red flags and warnings before you notice that the bin is also compromised. A malware attack is a serious issue that requires more steps to isolate and fix.
In some cases, errors can also occur when the deletion or restoration of files is abruptly interrupted. Similarly, a failed or incomplete system update can compromise directories or the computer system itself.
How to Check If Your Recycle Bin Is Corrupted
An error message usually notifies us about a corrupted Recycle Bin. However, these other indicators can also point to a faulty directory:
- Deleted files are not sent to the Recycle Bin
- Files cannot be permanently deleted or restored
- The Recycle Bin icon appears full even after emptying
- An error message indicating that the Recycle Bin in a particular drive is corrupted
The usual error message for this issue reads, “The Recycle Bin on [drive] is corrupted.”
The PC may even prompt you to empty the trash to no avail. When any of the symptoms above occur, you likely have a corrupted directory.
With that said, let’s walk you through how you can repair or reset the Recycle Bin.
Preventing Recycle Bin Corruption in the Future
A corrupted Recycle Bin is a rare occurrence on its own, but after going through the wringer to repair it, it’s only reasonable to take a few extra steps to avoid such errors in the future. Thankfully, the Recycle Bin is one of the most stable components in your Windows device. That’s why the most effective way to prevent its corruption goes back to the general upkeep of your computer.
Keep Windows and device drivers up to date
The best way to stop your PC’s notification, an IT colleague, and me, an internet person, from telling you to update your software and drivers is to… update them.
If you have not enabled automatic Windows updates, you can occasionally check the pending system update notifications to see if an incoming patch is critical or optional. You can set your update preferences by going to Settings > Update and Security > Windows Update.
Your PC can automatically search and process updates or make it so you can choose when and what to install. Users may defer updates for various reasons. Regardless, Windows will send notifications if a new version is required to prevent compatibility issues and security risks.
Keeping drivers updated is also important for your PC, the devices you use it with, and third-party software. As a best practice, always install the latest stable version of device drivers.
Run regular virus scans and system maintenance
One way to prevent errors and bugs is to identify corrupted files and malware as soon as possible. Windows has built-in software that scans anything you download and all your existing files—unless you have it turned off.
Disabling Windows Defender doesn’t have its upsides if you don’t have a powerhouse data security and protection software to take its place. Most third-party anti-malware and antivirus also prefer to work side-by-side with Windows’ security tool instead of replacing it.
Aside from keeping your firewall and security software active, here are other ways to maintain your Windows PC:
- Run regular anti-malware and anti-virus scans
- Avoid abruptly shutting down programs or the PC itself
- Promptly install system updates to patch security vulnerabilities
- Update your firewall settings to defend the PC from network attacks
- Regularly delete temporary, duplicate, and residual files
- Create a backup for critical data and update the restore point of your PC
- Check the resource usage with Task Manager or Activity Monitor when performance drops
Avoiding improper shutdowns and power failures
Though the chances are low, a power surge can adversely affect your PC’s hardware and software. To prevent your computer from being seriously damaged, consider using a surge protector or an uninterruptible power source (UPS) system to regulate your power system.
Also, refrain from shutting down your PC quickly, mainly when an update or file transfer is in progress. It’s also advisable not to drain your battery when using it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Will resetting the Recycle Bin delete all my files?
Resetting will delete the files stored in the corrupted Recycle Bin. The other files in your drive will not be affected.
Can I recover deleted files if my Recycle Bin is corrupted?
You may be able to recover deleted files if you have previously set up File History.
Go to Control Panel > System and Security > File History. Select the folder where the missing file was once located, right-click, and select “Restore to previous versions.”
Here’s our guide on how to enable and disable File History backup in Windows 11 and how to create a manual File History backup in Windows 10.
Microsoft also has a Windows Recovery Tool that you can download to help recover lost data.
What if my Recycle Bin corruption keeps happening?
If your Recycle Bin keeps getting corrupted, it may be due to bad sectors in your drive, file system errors, or malware. If the issue persists, you can reset the Recycle Bin by deleting the $Recycle.bin method.
Is there third-party software that can help fix a corrupted Recycle Bin?
If you don’t have an active backup system, you can use a third-party data recovery tool like Recuva, DiskGenius, or Stellar to scan and recover deleted files.
Conclusion
The Recycle Bin rarely warrants attention until it randomly breaks down. On one hand, that’s a testament to how stable and reliable it is as a utility tool for our PC. On the other hand, such occurrences tend to catch many of us off-guard and make us scramble, especially if we have a valuable file we’re trying to recover.
With that said, here’s a recap of the best ways to troubleshoot Recycle Bin issues:
- Reset via Command Prompt – Directly reset the Recycle Bin folder to its clean version.
- Run System File Checker – Run the “sfc” to scan missing or corrupted system files and replace them with a clean version.
- Check for disk errors – Use chkdsk to repair file system errors.
- Manually delete the corrupted Recycle Bin folder – remove the hidden Recycle Bin folder and let the PC replace it with a new one on restart.
- Restore Windows to a restore point – revert system files and settings to the previous state when the Recycle Bin worked.
TIP: You can also use Windows Troubleshooter to debug and resolve common system issues. Go to Settings > Update and Security > Troubleshoot to access this built-in tool. The menu will display pre-determined troubleshooting options that you can run to diagnose your PC.
While these troubleshooting methods will help restore your Recycle Bin to its original state, files may still be lost when corrupted data is removed from your PC. Hence, it remains best to maintain a healthy system environment across your device to protect your files and directories from corruption and malware.
We encourage you to run regular antivirus and malware scans and periodic disk checks to keep your drive trouble-free and operating smoothly. It’s also a best practice to have a multi-level backup system for important data and settings to fast-track data recovery and minimize interruptions.
