Can't Empty the Trash on Mac

Whenever you delete a file on your Mac or uninstall an app by dragging it to the trash bin, you will need to empty the trash to finalize the task. However, sometimes things may not work as expected – for example, some users report that they can't empty the trash on their Mac, and they have no clue how to try and fix the issue. If you are also failing to empty the trash on Mac, then you should keep reading to find out the best troubleshooting tips, which can help you solve this problem.

Restart the Computer

A system reboot is one of the most efficient ways to fix all sorts of problems without actually bothering with trying to find the source of the issue. Make sure to save all your work, restart your Mac, and then try to empty the trash again. If it does not work, then proceed with the next steps.

Use Safe Mode

If a piece of software is preventing you from emptying your trash, then you can fix the issue by booting your Mac in 'Safe Mode.' This mode will only load the essential drivers and apps, without launching any 3rd-party software, therefore minimizing the odds of unexpected issues and conflicts.

To start 'Safe Mode,' restart your device and then hold down the Shift key on your keyboard until you see the login screen. To confirm that you are into safe mode, you can check the top-right corner of your screen – it should say 'Safe Boot' in red letters. Try to empty the trash again, and then make sure to restart your computer so that it boots without loading 'Safe Mode.'

Use the Terminal

The Mac Terminal allows you to control pretty much all features of the operating system, as long as you know what commands to use. The trash bin is not an exception, and you can use a simple command to clear it. Open Utilities -> Terminal, and enter 'sudo rm' but DO NOT press 'Enter' yet. Now open the 'Trash Bin' and drag the files from there to the Terminal window. After this, press 'Enter.'

Check if the Files are Locked

You might have accidentally locked some of the files in the trash bin, therefore preventing them from being deleted. To check if this is the issue: