How to Fix Corrupted Recycle Bin on Windows 11, 10, 8, 7?

🕔 5 minutes read

Many Windows users believe the Recycle Bin folder is a safe place to move all the unnecessary files residing in the system. Unaware of the fact that the Windows Recycle Bin might get corrupt due to virus infection, using outdated drivers, $Recycle.bin Folder Error, etc. If you have faced the same issue and are curious to know how to fix the corrupted recycle bin and looking for a quick way to recover files. Then make use of Remo Recycle Bin Recovery Software to easily recover files and folders as well as lost data from the corrupt Recycle Bin.

Are you wondering how to fix a corrupted recycle bin? Usually, when a Recycle bin is corrupted, you encounter the error message “The recycle bin on C: is corrupted. Do you want to empty the recycle bin?".

If you come across a situation like this, it is important for you to understand that you will not be able to completely empty the Recycle Bin or erase any particular file.

Even, if you are attempting to restore the temporarily deleted files from the bin, the error makes it impossible for the temporarily deleted files to be recovered.

This error will show up to indicate that the Recycle Bin is corrupted, whenever you try to access the Recycle bin. Fortunately, this article will help you understand how to fix a corrupted recycle bin in Windows 10, 8, or any other version.

Table Of Contents:

What Triggers Windows Recycle Bin Corruption Issue?

Recycle Bin corruption can happen in various ways, below-mentioned are a few of the causes.

  • DLL system error or corruption in the system files: Dynamic link library is a necessary component of a particular program or application. This library consists of files that are necessary for the basic functioning of any program. Without the respective .dll files even Recycle Bin cannot run properly.
  • Incompatible BIOS: BIOS updates are mandatory for the smooth operation of any system, if you have an incompatible BIOS it can result in the corruption of the Recycle bin.
  • Outdated drivers - Improperly configured, damaged or outdated drivers can result in the corruption of the Recycle bin.

In the section below, let us understand the hassle-free methods how to fix corrupted recycle-bin.

How to Repair a Corrupted Recycle bin?

The below section has two methods that will help you fix the corrupted recycle bin

Method 1. Run Windows Defender To Repair the Corrupted Recycle Bin on Windows 10

Data corruption is frequently caused by malware and other types of viruses, so it's a good idea to search your computer for malware just to make sure it hasn't already been infected before implementing any other solutions.

Launching Windows Defender to search for malware is simple if you're running Windows 10:

Step 1: Do a "Windows security" search in the Start menu.

Step 2: Choose the relevant choice.

Step 3: Click Scan settings after selecting Virus & threat protection.

Step 4: Select Full scan, then hit the Scan button.

Method 2: Reinstall the Recycle Bin

1.  Open Control Panel, Go to the file explorer option
2.  Click on the View Tab option
3.  Uncheck system-protected operating files and Open each drive/partition
4.  You will see bin and recycle.bin (permissions)
5.  Delete permissions on each drive
6.  Restart the computer and Right-click on Desktop
7.  Choose Personalize option and Click on Themes
8.  Select Desktop Icon settings from Related Settings
9.  Select the checkbox Recycle Bin
10. Click on Apply button and then tap OK

Method 3: Reset The Corrupt Recycle Bin Using Command Prompt

1. Open Command Prompt, you can right-click the Start menu and then choose Command Prompt (Admin)
2. Type rd /s /q C: \$Recycle.bin and press Enter

Note: Replace the letter “C” with your primary partition letters accordingly and restart the computer.
In case, if the above method fails to fix the corrupted recycle bin, then follow the methodology mentioned below to fix the corrupted Recycle bin

Method 4. Restore the system to a Previous Working Point

System Restore Points offer a practical method for returning a machine to its previous state. When a serious issue arises following the installation of a flawed driver, the unsuccessful installation of OS updates, or the erroneous modification of system settings, to name a few examples, this capability is quite helpful.

Restore your Windows 11/10/8/7 PC from a System Restore Point using the steps mentioned below:

  1. Search "make a restore point" in the Start menu.
  2. Select the relevant choice.
  3. In the System Properties window, click the System Restore button.
  4. Select your restore point, then click the Next button a second time.
  5. Click on the Finish button to confirm your restore point.

Method 5. Use CHKDSK to Repair Minor Issues in the Internal Disk

Check Disk can be used to find, detect and fix any minor issues with the internal and external storage devices.

Here’s how you can use the chkdsk command to repair the corrupted Recycle Bin.

  1. Select Windows PowerShell by pressing Win + X. (Admin).
  2. Type the following command and press Enter: chkdsk X: /R (be sure to substitute X with the letter designated to the corrupted drive).
  3. Restart your computer after CHKDSK has been completed.

After fixing the troubleshooting issues in the Recycle Bin, you will be able to access it effortlessly. But during the process of repairing the corrupted Recycle Bin, the deleted data residing on the bin might be permanently erased including your accidentally deleted files.

If you wondering how to restore deleted files from Recycle Bin, you will need the help of professional data recovery software like Remo Recover.

How to Recover Files From The Corrupted Recycle Bin on Windows 11/10/8/7?

Remo Recover is a best-in-class file recovery software that can recover lost or deleted data from the Recycle Bin effortlessly. The tool is programmed with advanced scanning algorithms that can easily retrieve data of any file format from the Recycle Bin. By following the simple steps in the section below, you can restore the required files effortlessly.

Free Download For Windows

Steps to Recover Deleted files from Corrupted Recycle bin

  • Download and install and install Remo Recover 6.0
  • Choose the preferred location recovery – Recycle Bin from which you want to recover data and click on the Scan button.
  • The tool will automatically initiate Quick Scan. Once the Quick Scan is completed, the tool runs Deep Scan where it restores data sector by sector. Open the Dynamic Recovery View to easily recover the files simultaneously while the Deep Scan is running. 
  • You can also search for the specific file format in the search bar with the Advanced Filter optionRepair corrupted Recycle bin
  • After the Recycle bin is scanned the recovered data will be presented to you which can be Previewed.Preview of Recovered files from Recycle Bin
  • Choose the files from the recycle bin, click on Save button. Browse for a location to save the recovered data.

Also Read:

  1. Find Deleted Files not in the Recycle Bin on Windows - Proven Ways
  2. How To Recover Deleted Files From Recycle Bin?
  3. How to Recover Files From an Empty Recycle Bin? | Emptied Recycle Bin Recovery
  4. How to Access Recycle Bin on an External Hard Drive? [2023]
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Tony Landry

Tony Landry is a Web Content Editor at Remo Software. He loves to write, edit, and manage content for users trying to troubleshoot and fix problems on Windows, Outlook, storage drives and Cloud storage networks.

He has published more than 200 articles in Remo Software blog. He actively engages in research and problem-solving techniques to consistently generate great web content. Fixing various hardware problems on computer and storage devices along with a great knack for fixing Outlook errors, Tony is also the fun-time IT guy for all his work friends. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and enjoys cycling.

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