Whatever we delete something on our Windows 11 PC, it doesnt permanently go away.

However, at times, like other utilities, it also faces issues in working.

Like, it freezes on theWorking on it…screen.

restart option

Whereas sometimes, it doesnt display the content/deleted items to fully delete or restore.

So read ahead and simply eliminate this issue on your PC.

Why Is Recycle Bin Not Working in Windows 11?

Choose Empty Recycle Bin

In this section, well mentionsome of the most common reasonsfor this issue.

In this section, well share all the solutions to fix Recycle Bin not working in Windows 11.

So follow the fixes to see what works for you and eliminate this issue:

1.

Open Control Panel

2.From thePowermenu, choose theRestartoption to reboot your Windows 11 PC or laptop.

3.Once the PC is restarted, double-click theRecycle Binicon on your desktop and see if it works.

2.From the menu, choose theEmpty Recycle Binoption to delete the Recycle Bin apps content.

Select File Explorer Options

It was so easy to delete the Recycle Bins content in Windows 11.

If you want to fix this mess permanently, continue following the other solutions to fix this issue quickly.

3.Reset the Recycle BinApp

If youre getting theThe Recycle Bin on E:\ is corrupted.

Untick the Checkbox

Hopefully, this will fix all the issues with it.

2.In theControl Panelwindow, choose theFile ExplorerOptionsand go to theViewtab.

3.In theViewtab, uncheck the box againstHide protected operating system files (Recommended).

Click on Apply

4.ChooseApplyat the bottom and thenOKto apply the change and then end the window.

So,modify the Recycle Bins storage sizeand then check the problems status.

2.In theRecycle BinPropertieswindow, go toGeneraland choose theCustomize sizeoption.

Select Properties

3.Increase the size in theMaximum size (MB):box, and clickApplyandOKto save the change.

2.Go to theUpdates & securitysection of the app and choose theTroubleshootoption.

3.In theTroubleshootwindow, underFind and fix other problems, click theRecycle Binoption to run it.

Choose Customize Size

But still, spin up the below command to see if it opens:

7.

2.Choose your disk, clickViewin the menu, and chooseHidden itemsfrom theShowmenu.

3.Look for the$Recycle.Binfolder, open it, and then right-click theRecycle Binprogram.

Enter Maximum Size

4.In the menu, hover the arrow onSend toand choose theDesktop (create shortcut)option.

2.In theCommand Promptwindow, typesfc /scannowand press theEnter keyto start the SFC scan.

4.Once the SFC scan is completed, confirm if the Recycle Bin is now working properly on your PC.

Click This PC

5.Once the DISM scan is completed, check for the results and reboot your Windows 11 PC.

If the issue was appearing due to temporary bugs and glitches, it must have been fixed now.

2.In the search results, clickRun as administratorto bring up the Command Prompt with admin rights.

Choose Hidden Items

4.TypeYin Command Prompt and hit theEnter keyto start the CHKDSK scan on the next restart.

5.Once done, terminate the console and pressAlt + F4to open theShut Down Windowsprompt.

6.Choose theRestartoption and then press theEnter keyto cycle your Windows 11 PC.

Choose Desktop

Also, you’ve got the option to do so using the Windows built-in antivirus.

2.On the next screen,chooseQuick scanto start the virus scan to search for malicious files on the PC.

2.On theWindows Updatescreen, clickCheck for updatesto scan for new updates by Microsoft.

run command prompt as administrator

If you see new updates to install on the PC, clickDownload & install allto do so.

3.In case you dont see any new updates to install, chooseAdvanced optionson theWindows Updatescreen.

Then, clickOptional updates, and load the updates if there are any.

Search Command Prompt

Doing so will take your Windows computer back to the point when this issue wasnt there.

2.In theSystem Propertieswindow, choose theSystem Restore…button under theSystem Restoresection.

3.Next, choose theNext >button and snag the restore point you want to revert your PC to.

Click on Virus & Threat Protection

4.Finally,click theNext >option and then clickFinishon the next screen to begin the restore.

Several users got this issue when they upgraded their Windows 10 PC to Windows 11.

If its the same with you, the only way to fix it is togo back to Windows 10.

Quick scan

2.In theRecoverywindow, selectGo backnext to theGo backtext and follow the on-screen steps.

3.After reverting the computer back to Windows 10, check the issues status with Recycle Bin.

2.In theRecoverysection, underRecovery options, next toReset this PC, choose theReset PCbutton.

Choose Windows Update

3.In theChoose an optionwindow, selectRemove everythingand follow the listed steps to reset the PC.

4.Once the process has been completed, confirm if the Recycle Bin not working issue is fixed.

FAQs

How Do I Fix the Recycle Bin in Windows 11?

Click Check for Updates

In case this doesnt help, consider rebooting the PC.

Why Is My Recycle Bin Not Working?

How Do I Fix a Corrupted Recycle Bin?

Expand Driver updates

you might launch the SFC and DISM scans in the Windows PowerShell app.

What Happens if Recycle Bin Is Corrupted?

The corrupted Recycle Bin wont affect your computers working.

Choose Create a Restore Point

But you wont be able to use it.

How Do I Restore My Recycle Bin Folder?

2.In theRecycle Binwindow, right-hit the folder you want to restore, and choose theRestoreoption.

system restore button

Lastly, let us know which mentioned fix helped you fix Recycle Bin not working in Windows 11.

Select Restore point

Finish

Finish

windows 11 recovery option

Click Go back

Select Recovery

reset pc button

click on remove everything