Can not empty trash from EXFAT or FAT external drive

I had exactly the same issue with EXFAT. Happened with SSD, also HDD.

Formatted in previous and current mac os version; same issue.

Same for old files/folders that were save before Ventura => issue is not caused when saving; only when trying to delete.

Also it is not that I had insufficient rights, because I could delete all when selecting less folders, without making any change to any folders or files.

I opened a ticket with Apple Support and demonstrated all of the above on December 29th, when we both were pretty sure it concerns a bug in Ventura. Hope it will be resolved soon.

PS: I could delete on a windows PC, also on my current mac with Ventura, by using Daisy disk.

Br, Luc

Had same issues with SSD exfat - also reported to apple support.

Completed MAC OS update 13.2 today => issue seems to be resolved now.

Positive test results: copied folder with several subfolders, files excel, word, jpg, pdf... no issue. Worked with immediate deletion, also when deleted via trash. Also did similar test with foto's, also pub files => no more issue.

Best regards,

Luc.

Just updated to Ventura 13.2 and the problem seems to have been fixed!

Another use had this same issue in a somewhat long discussion last week. They found the only way they could delete files from an ExFAT drive was to do them in groups of about 25 at a time.

How can I delete large files with many it… - Apple Community

Culprit was, as here, a Ventura and ExFAT combination.

Hey again!

And for sure the source of the files are the ExFAT formatted drive(s)? I know the format is ExFAT, however can you please confirm what the partition scheme is? (Master Boot Record) (Guid), etc.? For each drive?

Open Finder > Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility, press View > Show All Devices, this way you'll see all the disks and volumes/partitions.

Can you also open the .Trash folder, press Command and i to get the info, expand all the sections to see the info? Same as on the external drive you're using?

I'm guessing deleting many files from the Mac Trash has no issues? Same as the HFS+ formatted drives as you mentions?

Can you try the same external drives, in other ports, with other cables? (I know you said multiple drives, but doesn't rule out a faulty cable or port).

Knowing if it's specific to certain file types may help as well, although I'm sure not everyone has those to delete at their disposal.

As it works using sudo, perhaps there is a disconnect between APFS formatted Ventura and ExFAT, I personally haven't seen this issue as well, so wondering what brand of external drive(s) you're using. And any hubs or adapters, etc. and more importantly, the model of your Mac......that's helpful information.

If the permissions are messed up, I'd still try the two oldest Mac troubleshooting tests, Safe Mode and a new Admin user, (If you haven't already):

Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple SupportOfficial Apple Support › guide › mac-help › mac

Add a user or group on Mac - Apple SupportOfficial Apple Support › guide › mac-help › mac

This may reveal a lot.

Hope you figure it out, glad to assist if I'm able to.

Ventura is having a lot of issues with ExFAT formatted drives. See my post here:

Music on MBP - Cannot copy to ExFAT exter… - Apple Community

I am a Level 7, have access to the Lounge, and I can tell you that there are others seeing the same and hoping the next update will fix.

As the user above posted it appears that the update to macOS 13.2 has resolved the issue. I can copy Music files to an ExFAT drive and delete them with no issues now. We'll see if this holds up...

I have exactly the same problem. It never happened using previous versions of Mac OS. Now with Ventura I can't permanently delete files from my external hard drives if they are formatted for Ex-Fat.

The solution to empty the bin in another computer with a former Mac Os version is perfect, it worked for me as well.

I hope Apple adresses this issue soon.

Thanks for that, well hope you figure it out, you can reach out to Apple support techs if you need to, that may be the way to go if there is a wide issue with Ventura and these formatted drives.

Contact Apple for support and serviceOfficial Apple Support › en-us

Maybe you can even help others by doing so, if this is something they need to be aware about, anyhow good luck!

I have exactly the same problem. I hope Apple adresses this issue soon...I hope that: the weeks go by and the bug continues. The solution to empty the bin in another computer with a former Mac Os version is useful but... bad solution.. mac OS is less and less important for Apple, something that was essential for Steve Jobs and the company's image was the reliability of mac OS... now they only care about devices and payment services... painful.

Same issue here. I just upgraded to Ventura yesterday. I have 4 external HDs all formated as exFAT and cannot empty the recycling bin with files and folders deleted from these drives. Another related issue is when you try to 'move' (cmd+drag and drop) folders from an exFAT drive to another one or to the computer (let's say the desktop for example), the folder gets copied but then a message says that the folder was copied but the source could not be deleted. Then, if the folder is deleted manually, it can't be emptied from the recycle bin. This is really annoying!

Hey Kenggo!

Can you say if the issue persists with all document or package formats? Likewise, if it works when trying to delete a few at a time vs. all? Finally, and I think you may have mentioned it.....are the source of these deleted files this external ExFAT drive?

Can you say if the same happens with another ExFAT formatted drive? Or with another APFS formatted Mac? (If possible)?

When using rm -rf to delete, are you using "sudo"? just wondering if a root user is needed to do the job.