How to Fix a Corrupted Recycle Bin in Windows 10/11

Give a try to these quick methods now

4 min. read

Updated onMarch 20, 2024

updated onMarch 20, 2024

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Do you have problems in using your Windows 10 Recycle Bin? If you used to have a smooth Windows 10 platform that worked without problems, but now, when trying to access Recycle Bin, you receive only the “corrupted” error, apply the guidelines available below to troubleshoot your Windows system.

So, if you want to fix the Windows 10 corruptedRecycle BinerrorTheRecycle Binis corrupted. Do you want to empty theRecycle Binfor this drive?this step-by-step guide will be more than useful for you.

Now, this problem might happen due to various reasons, such as unexpected force close errors, DLL issues (learn how tofix any Windows 10 DLL error by using a dedicated tutorial), incompatibility problems, and more.

Anyway, the result is that you can’t access theRecycle Binto remove your files or restore the same in case you have accidentally erased some files from your device.

As you might know, each of your Windows drive has a dedicated system folder dubbed$Recycle.bin. Of course, this folder is hidden, so you can’t see or access the same unless you check the “unhide” option underFolder Options.

Now, when theRecycle Bingets corrupted the $Recycle.bin also gets corrupted, and in order to resolve your problem, you must fix $Recycle.bin. Doing the same is easy, as you only have to run a command in cmd window.

Anyway, check the steps below for the proper troubleshooting solution.

How to fix Windows 10 Corrupted Recycle Bin?

1. Clean Recycle Bin in Command Prompt

2. Use the System File Checker tool

In addition, if that isn’t working for you, open the cmd window once more type sfc / scannow,and press Enter.

TheSystem File Checkerfeature will be launched on your device so just wait while your Windows 10 or Windows 8.1 system is being fixed – on that matter, learnhow to fix chkdsk stuck on Windows. Moreover, there are methods of scanning and repairing automatically corrupt files, such asthird-party repair tools.

3. Delete Recycle Bin in Safe Mode

Sometimes, you may encounter an Access denied error when you want to perform the abovementioned actions on Windows 10. So, if yourRecycle Bincorrupted Windows 10 and access is denied, try enabling Safe Mode.

4. Scan your computer for malware

Malware may cause various issues on your computer, includingRecycle Bincorruption issues. Perform a full system scan in order to detect any malware running on your computer.

You can use Windows’ built-in antivirus, Windows Defender, orthird-party antivirussolutions.

5. Update Windows

Quite a few Windows 10 users confirmed that installing the latest system and driver updates solved the problem. So, go to Settings > Update & Security > click on the ‘Check for updates’ button and install all the available updates.

Good job! You have successfully fixed the corruptedRecycle Binon your Windows 10 device. That was all for today, but stay close as we will update with similar and useful Windows tips and tricks.

Fixing the corrupted Recycle Bin can also prevent issues like therestored files missingissue; read this guide.

Also, if you’ve got additional tips and suggestions on how to fix corruptedRecycle Binissues, you can list them in the comments below.

How to Fix a Corrupted Recycle Bin in Windows 10/11#

How to fix Windows 10 Corrupted Recycle Bin?#

1. Clean Recycle Bin in Command Prompt#

2. Use the System File Checker tool#

3. Delete Recycle Bin in Safe Mode#

4. Scan your computer for malware#

5. Update Windows#