iPhoto 6.x: Trash fails to empty, persistent blank thumbnails (#4): Another fix

We continue to report on issue where users are unable to empty certain or all contents of the iPhoto trash, leaving unwanted data occupying volume space. The problem is especially likely to occur when deletion is interrupted by an unexpected quit or other issue.

Most users experiencing this problem notice that iPhoto unexpectedly quits upon the failed trash emptying attempt. When the application is re-opened, blank thumbnails (dashed white outlines and the photo names) of the images marked for deletion appear in the Trash. Moving these blank thumbnails back to the Library allows the trash to be properly emptied, but still leaves the unwanted thumbnails.

In some cases, this issue can be resolved (blank thumbnails permanently deleted) by rebuilding the iPhoto Library. This can be accomplished by holding down the Command and Option keys on the keyboard, then launching iPhoto. Keep holding the keys until the "Rebuild Photo Library" window appears.

When it does make sure that the first two boxes ("Rebuild the photos' small thumbnails" and "Rebuild all of the photos' thumbnails" [this may take a while]) are checked, then click the "Rebuild" button.

MacFixIt reader Raj is one user who had success with this workaround, though his rebuild was incidental after a crash, not forced:

"My problem seems to have resolved itself after an IPhoto prompted rebuild of thumbnails. I was successfully able to empty the Trash without a crash after the rebuild."

Previous coverage:

• iPhoto 6.x: Trash fails to empty (#3): Potential fixes
• iPhoto 6.x: Trash fails to empty (#2)
• iPhoto 6.x: Trash fails to empty

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