Do you find your Thunderbird Trash folder missing after a Thunderbird update? Or you notice that there is no Trash/Deleted folder when trying to recover deleted Thunderbird emails. Or that emails inside your Trash folder are gone or missing?
This guide elaborates on the core reason behind it and the troubleshooting steps you must take if the Thunderbird trash folder disappears for both IMAP & POP accounts configured.
About Thunderbird Trash Folder: Location & Specifications
The Trash folder is also referred to as the Deleted folder in Mozilla Thunderbird. It is a special pre-built folder that holds emails before permanently deleting them.
Every configured email account and even the Thunderbird Local folder has its own Trash subfolder.
However, users report their Thunderbird trash folder missing often.
You can see the Trash folder along with other general folders in the Folder pane. If you have enabled Folder Pane from the layout and have chosen all folder settings.
Trash emails are stored in MBOX format under your IMAP account folder in Thunderbird profile location.
Reason: Why is Thunderbird’s Trash Folder Missing?
There can be a few causes why Mozilla Thunderbird is not showing the Deleted or Trash Folder, such as:
- Accidental Deletion (for POP accounts only)
- Trash folder is unsubscribed (IMAP account only)
- Sync Issues due to poor internet.
- Mapping issue – Unable to fetch the correct path from the server in cases with services like Gmail, Dovecot, and cPanel mail.
- prefs.js corrupted – your deleted emails are still safe in such a situation.
- Immediate deletion settings in case Thunderbird trash emails disappear.
- Add on, interfering with the application’s UI.
Whatever your reason may be, this guide helps resolve the Trash folder not showing in Thunderbird for Mac or Windows.
Troubleshooting Steps: Thunderbird Trash Folder Disappeared
Before trying out the advanced fixes, make sure you restart Thunderbird, and you are using the updated version. Here are tested fixes to restore a missing Trash folder in Thunderbird:
Fix 1: Restart Thunderbird in Safe Mode
It resolves the UI glitches caused by unnecessary Themes & Add-on in Thunderbird.
- Open Thunderbird >> Menu.
- Select Help >> Troubleshoot Mode.
- Choose the Restart option.
- Try to verify if you can now access Thunderbird emails.
Fix 2: Subscribe to the Trash Folder in Thunderbird
These methods only help you recover the missing IMAP Thunderbird trash folder.
- Right on the IMAP account for which the Deleted or Trash folder disappeared.
- Click on Subscribe.
- Check the box for the Trash folder.
- Press Ok & restart Thunderbird.
This is often not an issue with POP accounts, as emails are only stored on your PC.
Fix 3: Rebuild prefs.js to Fix Thunderbird Trash Folder Missing
prefs.js is the configuration folder holding account settings & folder behaviours. If they are corrupted, Thunderbird will not be able to identify what folder is Trash. Follow the steps to fix the issue:
- Open Mozilla Thunderbird on your desktop.
- Go to Menu >> Help >> Troubleshooting Information.
- Scroll to the profile folder & press open folder.
- Close Thunderbird.
- Search for prefs.js in Finder or File expired.
- Right-click & delete.
- Restart Thunderbird to rebuild prefs.js and resolve the Thunderbird no trash folder issue.
Fix 4: Rebuild Thunderbird Trash or Deleted Folder
If you accidentally deleted the POP account trash folder, it cannot be recovered, and there is no secondary location where emails are stored. Thus, you need to manually create a new Trash folder.
Tip: Always back up the Thunderbird profile folder using our Thunderbird Backup Tool before deleting any element of the Thunderbird profile, or to avoid accidental data loss in such a situation.
- Go to your POP account.
- Right-Click.
- Choose Create Folder.
- Name the folder Trash or Deleted.
- Go to POP Account Settings >> Server Settings.
- Find the ” When I Deleted this Message” settings.
- Choose Move to and select your newly created folder from the drop-down.
Read More: How to Restore Thunderbird Backup?
How to Fix the “Email in Thunderbird Trash Folder Missing” Issue?
In some cases, users can see the Deleted or the Trash Bin folder but find the email inside it missing. Here are some fixes to resolve the issue:
Fix 5: Repair Deleted Folder
Often, due to a corrupted MSF file, Thunderbird trash folder emails disappear:
- Right-Click on the Deleted folder in Thunderbird.
- Choose Properties >> Repair Folder and press OK.
This will help rebuild Thunderbird indexes.
Fix 6: Turn off Delete Immediately Settings
- Go to Menu >> Account Settings.
- Navigate to Server Settings.
- Under When I Deleted this Message Settings.
- Unmark Remove it immediately.
- Select the Trash/ Deleted Folder form from the move to drop-down.
- Go to the Deleted folder of the account.
- Choose properties >> retention policy.
- Set deleted messages to more than 30 days old.
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FAQs: Thunderbird Trash Folder Missing
Q1: Why can’t I find my deleted emails in Thunderbird?
It happens because the Folder Pane or Trash Folder is hidden:
- Go to Menu >> View & then Layout: Ensure Folder pane is checked.
- Go to Menu >> View & then Folder: Ensure All Folder is checked.
Q2: What is the name of the Trash folder in Thunderbird?
The Thunderbird Trash folder is also referred to as the Deleted Folder.
Q3: How to empty trash in Thunderbird?
Right-click on the deleted folder and choose Empty Folder settings.