error code -8072

I cannot empty my trash. The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -8072).

Does anybody have an idea what this error code stands for? Or even better, how to fix this issue?

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.5)

Posted on Jul 13, 2016 1:46 PM

Reply
4 replies

Jul 13, 2016 1:57 PM in response to DLoup

shut down

disconnect your external devices

reboot into safe mode

Try safe mode if your Mac doesn't finish starting up - Apple Support

verify your hard drive with disk utility

Using Disk Utility to verify or repair disks - Apple Support

then empty trash


shut down and reconnect devices and boot normally.

if the problem persists check your system with AHT

Using Apple Hardware Test - Apple Support

Jul 13, 2016 5:06 PM in response to DLoup

Please select the text on the line below by dragging across it. Don't include the blank space at the end of the line. Only the text should be highlighted.

ls -@Odeln

Copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C.

Launch the Terminal application in any one of the following ways:

☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)

☞ In the Finder, select Go Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.

☞ Open LaunchPad and start typing the name.

Paste into the Terminal window by pressing command-V, then press the space bar.

Now switch to the Finder and and select the item(s) in the Trash. Drag into the Terminal window. More text will be added to what you entered.

Click in the Terminal window to activate it, then press return.

Wait for a new line ending in a dollar sign ($) to appear. Post any lines that appear below that line—the text, please, not a screenshot. You can then quit Terminal.

If any personal information appears in the output, anonymize before posting.

Jul 14, 2016 1:20 PM in response to JimmyCMPIT

Now I'm slightly confused here ... tried the safe mode and then the disk utility. Nothing changed.

Additional info --> I tried to delete my old back up in Time Machine on external harddisk, half way through my Macbook shut down due to low battery. When I disconnect the external device, the trash can is empty. When I connect, the back up folder appears in trash can (but not on the ext. harddisk), & when I try to delete it (about 500 GB of data) error code -8072 appears.

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error code -8072

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