can not empty trash can with input/output error

Question

cwong668 Author

Level 1

27 points

can not empty trash can with input/output error

i am trying to empty the trash can but it keep saying there is input/output error error code -36...

these three files were located in my external drive and do not know what/why the input/output error coming from...

i just wish to empty my trash can...

i had tried all the tips from the web search and could not find a solution...

i tried the powerful tip by typing "sudo rm -rf ~/.Trash /Volumes/*/.Trashes"

i got the same error code with input/output error ... directory not empty...

any solution to resolve this issue?

cheers

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.1)

Posted on Nov 14, 2016 10:06 PM

Reply

Answer 1

ericb00

Community Specialist

Nov 15, 2016 5:56 PM in response to cwong668

Hello cwong668,

I also like the look of an empty trashcan. It is hard to assess exactly which Web search solutions you have tried, below is my favorite for this particular issue.

You can‘t empty the Trash or move a file to the Trash

When you attempt to empty the trash is the external drive attached to your iMac?

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities. Have a great day.

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Answer 2

cwong668 Author

Level 1

27 points

Nov 15, 2016 7:12 PM in response to ericb00

eric,

thanks for your info ... this was the first article i read but it is the basic info and it did not help to resolve my issue...

hope you could find me a solution can help resolve the issue...

cheers,

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Answer 3

ericb00

Community Specialist

Nov 18, 2016 11:07 AM in response to cwong668

Hi cwong668,
Let's try simple to more complicated procedures.

1) First, restart your iMac. Then, Click on the Trash icon on your dock, holding down the Control key click on an item that won't delete and select Delete Immediately from the contextual menu.

2) If that fails to remove the items, are the items in your Trash Locked?

Delete a locked item from your Mac

If an item is locked, you need to confirm you want to move it to the Trash or unlock the item before putting it in the Trash.

Drag the locked item to the Trash, then click Continue to confirm you want to move the locked item to the Trash.

Do one of the following

Empty all items in the Trash: Click the Trash, then click the Empty button in the upper-right corner of the Finder window. You can also choose Finder > Empty Trash.

In the warning message that appears, click Empty Trash.

Delete a selected item in the Trash: Control-click the item you want to delete, then choose Delete Immediately.

In the warning message that appears, click Delete.

If you unlock the item first, you don’t need to confirm that you want to move it to the Trash. To unlock the item first, select it, choose File > Get Info (or press Command-I), then deselect the Locked checkbox. If you are not logged in as an administrator, you may need to click the lock icon , then enter an administrator name and password.

OS X Yosemite: Delete files and folders

3) When you attempt to empty the trash, is the external drive attached to your iMac? If not, what happens when you try with the drive connected?

If the above steps don't work, help us to help you.

1) What OS are you currently using? Apple logo > About This Mac, give us both the name and number.

2) Please give the displayed error code(s) entirely as its presented.

3) In You can‘t empty the Trash or move a file to the Trash , The terminal command is different than the one you listed on your first inquiry. When you attempt that command, do you get the same error code?

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

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Answer 4

cwong668 Author

Level 1

27 points

Nov 19, 2016 1:45 PM in response to ericb00

eric,

please please DO NOT COPY info from the internet ... i had tried these before i submitted my issue here...

are you working for apple? ... if yes, please ask the apple technical engineers to see if they could provide any solution ... if not, thanks for your effort in providing the info...

cheers,

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Answer 5

den.thed

Level 10

91,672 points

Nov 19, 2016 5:42 PM in response to cwong668

How is the external drive formatted and where did those files come from...?

Asking because error code -36's usually happens on MS-DOS FAT-32 formatted drives and/or from files that were added to the drive by a PC or some other device.

I would disconnect the external drive and then check the Mac's trash.

Adding that if the files were placed on the external drive by some other source, then it may require that other source to delete the files from the drive.

Optionally you may also be able to solve the problem by re-formatting the drive.

However keep in mind that re-formatting will wipe all of the data on the drive.

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