Windows 7: Recycle Bin Doesn't Show Files

Whenever I delete something and send it to the Recycle Bin, the icon will change to show that it's full, but when I open the Recycle Bin, it takes a while to load and when it does load, there will be nothing in it (window is just white except for the taskbars on the top and side) and the bottom-left side will just say "0 items." What's going on here and how do I fix it?

When did you first notice this ? Have you done anything different since you first noticed it like install or uninstall something or download something new ?

Not saying I can help you but just throwing out ideas that may help you remember something that may have caused the problem.

Hello Klaw,

You might see if doing this tutorial below for each hard drive may be able to help reset the Recycle Bin so it will work properly afterwards.

Recycle Bin Corrupted - Cannot Delete File or Folder - Vista Forums

Hope this helps,
Shawn

I'm not sure when this started happening since I usually do Shift+Delete. However, some things, like IE Favorites, will only go to the Recycle Bin. I only opened the Recycle Bin after all my programs were installed, so I'm not sure what's causing this issue.

Also, I already tried the tutorial posted above. It did nothing for me.

Here's a picture of the problem:
Also, I can still permanently delete stuff by clicking on "Empty Recycle Bin."

Klaw,

If you create a new administrator account and log in to it, does it do this in the new account as well?

If so, then you might see if doing a system restore using a restore point dated before this started might be able to fix it.

It does it in the new account also, but I said before that I have no idea when this started since I usually don't use the Recycle Bin. Therefore, I have no idea when to restore the computer to.

The first time I opened it was after all of my programs were installed. Usually, I just use Shift+Delete. However, sometimes I screw up with my IE Favorites, which always go to the Recycle Bin first before being deleted.

I really don't want to do a clean install, but judging by what's happening, it looks like I may have to.

Well, as a last ditch effort to avoid reinstalling Windows 7, you might see if running a sfc /scannow command may be able to help.

Well, I already reinstalled, but I found the problem. Prior to reinstalling, I unplugged my external hard drive. After reinstalling, I checked to see that the Recycle Bin was working and it was. Then I plugged in the external hard drive again to move my backed up files back to my computer. Immediately after plugging in my hard drive (I was installing some updates while doing this also), I decided to check the Recycle Bin again and I noticed that it stopped working. At the time, I was installing two lanugage packs (Spanish and Traditional Chinese), so I thought the Language Packs were causing the problem. But then I remembered that I just plugged in my external hard drive. I decided to unplug the external hard drive and to my amazement, the Recycle Bin was working again.

Now I'm left with another question: What on my external hard drive is causing the Recycle Bin to stop working?

Have a look at the bin's properties with and without the USB drive plugged in.

Well, at least we know the source of the problem now.

If what Britton posted above doesn't help for the external HDD, then....

How is the external drive connected (ex: USB, E-SATA, etc...).? If USB, are you using a USB hub,or tried connecting it to a different USB port on the motherboard back panel or front extension panel?

If the above doesn't help and you are able to backup the external HDD, you might see how formating the external HDD may work afterwards.