desktop icons disappearing

RonClevenger wrote:

I'm running Ventura 13.1 on an M1 MacBook Pro.

Suddenly, and for no apparent reason, desktop icons are disappearing. When I replace them (by means of alias), they again disappear upon reboot.

I've tried all the obvious - it continues.

Are you using iCloud Desktop & Documents...?

Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple ...

Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support

if by default iCloud Drive got turned on— look for your files there.

Recover deleted files on iCloud.com - Apple Support

RonClevenger wrote:

Yes, I am using ICloud Desktop & Documents.

The icons are there, they just become invisible after every reboot. I can show hidden files (Shirt-Command-.) and there they are but why all of a sudden do they become invisible?

This only started today, and there have been no updates of changes (that I'm aware of) to cause this.

Well you can disable Desktop & Documents and retrieve your files locally as a test by comparison.

How to Restore Your Desktop and Documents After Disabling ...

https://www.howtogeek.com/273629/how-to-restore-your-desktop-and-documents-after-disabling-icloud-sync-in-macos-sierra/

How to find your Documents and Desktop folder contents after disabling ...

https://www.macworld.com/article/3396119/how-to-find-your-documents-and-desktop-folder-contents-after-disabling-icloud-sync.html

Finder>Go>Go to Folder>copy & paste:

~/iCloud Drive (Archive)

see the iCLoud Drive (Archive) - here you should find all your files 

or you can  file a bug report /submit your Apple Feedback here:  hhttp://www.apple.com/feedback

or wait for a point update to the macOS and see if returns to your expected behavior.