Error message 8003 when trying to empty trash

I have tried using several tips to get my trash emptied but still come up with the same error message. What now?

Another thread here with the same issue.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2138034?start=0&tstart=0

Similar Messages

I am getting error message (-8003) when trying to empty trash

In attempting to empty trash, which includes some time machine backup files, I am getting the -8003 error message...and am unable to dump anything. What must I do to resolve this?

Another thread here with the same issue.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2138034?start=0&tstart=0

Getting error code 8003 when trying to empty trash, lots and lots of stuff in there but it won't let me empty the trash.

getting error code 8003 when trying to empty trash, lots and lots of stuff in there but it won't let me empty the trash.

Thomas...
Try Trash IT for Mac > http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/8214/trash-it!
It helped users with the same issue here > https://discussions.apple.com/message/16995454#16995454

I'm getting error code 8003 when trying to empty trash.

I am getting an error code 8003 when trying to empty my trash. Don't it anywhere I've looked.

Read this and possibly the solution is there.
http://forums.cnet.com/7723-6126_102-365518.html

Error code -8003 when trying to empty trash on external HD

Hi I have a 2008 MacBook and a couple of external drives by iomega. Yesterday I was trying to copy 15 gb of files from my MacBook to my USB external drive, and didn't have enough space. So I attempted to delete all my Time Machine backups from 2011 (the oldest ones) from the USB external in an attempt to free up space. Time Machine began doing an auto backup while this was happening. I let it run while I slept, then this morning found I cannot empty the Trash when the USB external drive is connected and turned on. The Trash contains all the backups I was trying to delete yesterday, and when I try to empty Trash it says "The operation can't be completed because an unexpected error occured (error code -8003)". I have run Disk Utility to "verify" the USB external and it checked out ok. I've also rebooted both MacBook and restarted the USB external. Any other ideas on how I can get the trash to empty?

Hi Andvari,
If you are having issues emptying the Trash on your MacBook, you may find the following article helpful:
Apple Support: You can't empty the Trash or move a file to the Trash
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1526
Regards,
- Brenden

Error code 8003 when trying to empty trash

I searched the Internet for a while trying to find an answer to this, but I can't seem to come across one. On my own I was able to determine the cause for the problem, to some degree, but I don't know how to fix it. I have repaired my permissions.
Every time I try to empty my trash with the office update installer package "15089Office 2008 12.2.5 Update" in it I get the message: "The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -8003)."
I'm not sure what to do. Figures it is a Windows program causing me grief. All I want to do is put it in the trash and get rid of it forever. I honestly have no idea why this isn't working.
Does anyone have a suggestion?

Hi s:
Here is a thread that seems to have addressed the problem. Hard to tell, but some program called trash it appears to have worked with the code:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=10452955
Barry

I get Error code -8003 when trying to empty the trash. I need to free up this space. Any suggestions?

I get Error code -8003 when trying to empty the trash. I need to free up this space on my laptop ASAP. Any suggestions?

Try this Discussion...
https://discussions.apple.com/message/21112050#21112050

Error -8003 when trying to empty trash

I get this error code when trying to empty the trash, and the trash won't empty.
What does it mean and how do I get the trash to empty?
thanks

The most common cause for this problem is deleting stuff from a Time Machine backup using the Finder. This pretty irrevocably destroys your backup in addition to clogging the trash with files that are difficult to delete. If this is what you have done, your easiest and most reliable course of action will be to erase your backup drive using Disk Utility and start a brand new backup. And then never touch your backup in the Finder ever again.
If that isn't what happened, let us know.

I have an error code -8003 when trying to empty my trash!

I have an error code -8002 when trying to emty my trash!

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-20020873-263.html

Error code -8003 when attempting to empty trash

My download file was filled with a bunch of books on tape, so I sent those all to the trash, and attempted to empty and/or secure empty. the error code -8003 comes up, and I cannot empty.

http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/trash.html

I'm getting error code -8003 when trying to empty the trash. Anyone know what this is?

I've tried using the Terminal command to empty the trash; I've tried switching accounts, but nothing is working.
Using a MacPro from about 07-08, latest OS and a Drobo is connected.
thanks,
s

Read this and possibly the solution is there.
http://forums.cnet.com/7723-6126_102-365518.html

When trying to empty trash, (securely or not), I get this: The operation can't be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -8003).

When trying to empty trash, (securely or not), I get this: The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -8003). FWIW, there are nearly 3000 items in my Trash - although this does not seem the source of the problem.

Have you read for possible solutions over in the "More Like This" thread over here?----------------------->

IMac OSX 10.6.8: error code -8003 issue when trying to empty trash

I get the following error code when trying to empty trash:
The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -8003).

Have a look here for help: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-20020873-263.html

Finder stalls forever when trying to empty trash

Occasionally, about once a day or every other day, when I try to empty the trash, it'll bring up the progress bar, but it'll say 0 items regardless of how many items are in the trash. It'll stall, the Finder uses up 100+% of CPU, fan goes wild, and it'll stay like that for, as far as I can tell, forever. If that happens, I'll bring up the force quit window, select Finder and click restart. The finder quits, the empty-trash-progress bar disappears, fan slows down, but the Finder does not come back up... The dock seems to be working, but if I click on something to launch it, it won't launch anything. Basically it won't respond to anything. Applications that are already running at this point will continue to run, but behaves strangely, and sometimes won't respond. If I press the power button, it brings up the shutdown/restart option, but selecting one of the options don't seem to do anything, so I end up having to force shutdown by holding down the power button.
After I restart it, there's no problem emptying the trash. It seems to only happen when I've had my computer running for a while, and I can never predict when it'll happen again.
Secure erase trash is disabled.
I've had this issue at least from 10.6.1, and maybe 10.6 as well. Upgrading to 10.6.2 did not resolve it.
Anyone have the same issue, and/or have any clue what might be going on?
EDIT: I'll also add that after this crash happens, and I restart the computer, Spotlight rebuilds the index all over again... so I wonder if Spotlight is crashing when trying to empty trash...?
Message was edited by: doxa

The first and easiest thing I'd try would be the Trash itself.
Go to /Applications /Utilities/Terminal and launch it.
At the prompt, copy and paste this commandsudo rm -rf ~/.TrashPress Return.
You will be asked to enter your admin password. It will be invisible.
Enter it and press Return.
Log out and back in or restart.
Let us know.
-mj

TS3258 I get error message -42408 when trying to download itunes update 11.0.2 and thus can not upgrade to latest version. What should I do?

I get error message -42408 when trying to download itunes update 11.0.2 and I therefore can not update to that latest version. What can I do?

Hey there davidgor2!
I have found an article that should help you resolve this issue with updating your iTunes. The article can be found here:
iTunes: Advanced iTunes Store troubleshooting
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3297
and the specific part of the article you will want to look at first is right here:
"Error 42023" through "Error 42408"
These alerts might occur when trying to authorize iTunes or during launch when iTunes checks for authorization information.
Install the latest iTunes from apple.com/itunes/download/
Remove the SC Info folder.
If that does not resolve the issue, see iTunes: "Error 42408" or "Error 42404" after upgrading to iTunes 9.0.3.
Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities!
Regards,
Braden

Error message 8003 when trying to empty trash

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