Despite the steps above, the Recycle Bin can sometimes disappear from both the desktop and File Explorer entirely. This is often caused by corrupted system files or incorrect settings.
Sometimes the problem isn't just in File Explorer—the icon is missing entirely. If you prefer the classic approach, you can restore it via settings. Go to Settings > Personalization . Navigate to Themes: Select Themes in the left menu. where is the recycle bin in file explorer upd
Sometimes you go to > Personalization > Themes > Desktop Icon Settings to restore the Recycle Bin, only to find the checkbox is greyed out and unclickable. Despite the steps above, the Recycle Bin can