The Trash folder in cPanel can be a common cause of excessive disk space usage on a hosting account. Even after files are deleted, they remain in the Trash folder and continue to consume storage until they are permanently removed.
This guide explains how to empty the Trash folder in cPanel and free up disk space on your hosting account.
Why the Trash Folder Uses Disk Space
When you delete files using the cPanel File Manager, they are not immediately removed from the server. Instead, they are moved to the Trash folder. Over time, this folder can grow large and cause your hosting account to reach its disk space limit.
How to Check Trash Folder Disk Usage
Before deleting files, you can check how much disk space the Trash folder is using:
- Log in to your cPanel
- Navigate to the Files section
- Click on Disk Usage
- Scroll to the bottom of the page to view disk usage by folder, including the Trash folder
How to Delete Individual Files from the Trash Folder
If you want to permanently delete only selected files from the Trash folder, follow these steps:
- Log in to your cPanel
- In the Files section, click File Manager
- Click the View Trash button in the upper-right corner
- Select the files you want to remove permanently
- Click the Delete button in the top menu
How to Empty the Entire Trash Folder in cPanel
To permanently delete all files from the Trash folder at once and immediately free up disk space:
- Open File Manager in cPanel
- Click the View Trash button
- Click the Empty Trash button in the upper-right corner
Important Notes Before Deleting Files
Once the Trash folder is emptied, files cannot be recovered. Before permanently deleting any files, it is strongly recommended to create a full backup of your website and hosting account.
