Problem With My Trash Not Emptying

[Afro1989]

I have been having this problem for about a month now and it's really starting to bother me. After I put any simple file into the trash such as a JPG or Quicktime movie trailer I get the annoying "emptying trash" window, which never goes away until I reboot manually.

I don't feel it's safe to keep restarting my Mac Mini manually so that's why I'm asking you people how I can fix this problem. It doesn't happen every time I attempt to empty the trash, but it does happen frequently.

Here's a snapshot of the window that I get that never goes away:

 

[funkychunkz]

I have been having this problem for about a month now and it's really starting to bother me. After I put any simple file into the trash such as a JPG or Quicktime movie trailer I get the annoying "emptying trash" window, which never goes away until I reboot manually.

I don't feel it's safe to keep restarting my Mac Mini manually so that's why I'm asking you people how I can fix this problem. It doesn't happen every time I attempt to empty the trash, but it does happen frequently.

Here's a snapshot of the window that I get that never goes away:

Do you mean manually as in with button, or apple>restart? The later doesn't hurt, but that's not my really my point in posting. Does this happen in another account? If so repair permissions, if not you should remove the finder plist (com.apple.finder, in your preference folder).

If none of that works you can manually delete the files using the terminal, quite simply actually. Type 'rm' hit space, and then drag the file onto the window. Hit return.

 

[Afro1989]

If none of that works you can manually delete the files using the terminal, quite simply actually. Type 'rm' hit space, and then drag the file onto the window. Hit return.

I would do this if I could, but when I get the "trash emptying" window I get the loading beach ball that doesn't allow me to do anything other than turn the Mac off manually by the power button.

 

[frigginjoe]

Go into Applications, Utilities, Disk Utility.
Repair permissions on your OSX volume.
You can also do a verify disk.
Open your trash, and in the window, right-click (or control-click) and go to "Get info."
Make sure you can Read&Write under ownership permissions.
You may need to change "owner" under the "Details" item below that. Just remember where the setting was in case things go wrong and you need to revert.

 

[Kardashian]

I get problems with my Trash, as well. It says it can't be emptied because the items are in use - when their not. And after a restart, its becomine likely that there will be a 'Recovered Files' folder in my Trash.

 

[moot]

I have had this a few times too. It stated happening after the recent update

What I do, is "Force quit" by pressing command-option-escape. When the box comes up, I click on restart finder. This usually solves the problem.

However, if you are beachballing, you might have to be very paitent for the force quit box to come up.

Hope this helps