How to Fix Mac Error Code 43 When Deleting Files

macOS is a very flexible and popular operating system. Millions of people use it every day all around the globe. We all know how seamless the operating system is as compared to its compatriots. Though it’s fast, secure, and efficient, it is still prone to errors and bugs. Any piece of sophisticated technology can face snags. And it happens with a dozen Mac users every single day. Speaking of which, today we will discuss the Mac Error Code 43. Also, I have put up some troubleshooting methods to deal with this problem.

This error mostly shows up during file deletion on macOS X El Capitan. The users cannot delete the file permanently and trash it. They see an error message that says The operation cannot be completed because one or more required items cannot be found. In this guide, I have mentioned some concrete reasons that normally cause this error. So, let’s dive into the guide.

Mac Error Code 43 on Apple Macbook

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Various Reasons for Mac Error Code 43

Now, let’s check out why does this error occur. There is no rocket science behind the problem. Just simple causes that users can fix on their own in most cases. You will not be able to delete a file if,

  • If a file is still in use
  • A file that you have downloaded partially
  • Those files that you have no access
  • Some snag in the hard drive

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How to Fix the Issue

Now, let’s see some really easy workaround that should solve this problem. Then you will be able to delete the files you want permanently.

Resetting the NVRAM

For quick access, macOS stores some system information in the NVRAM. We will try to clear that data.

  • Switch off your mac
  • Restart it
  • Right as the device reboots, at a time press the four keys: Option, Command, P, and R
  • Keep pressing these for some time till you see the device reboots again.

Removing the Locked Files

  • Launch the terminal on your mac
  • Give the following command
    chflags -R nouchg
  • Open Trash
  • Select All the items with this command
    Cmd-A
  • Drag these files to the Terminal window
  • Hit Return

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Forcibly Terminate the Finder

Normally, the Finder can be responsible for causing the mac error code 43. Force closing it can solve the problem for good.

  • Launch the menu from the top-left section of the home screen
  • Select Force Quit for all apps
  • Then search in your list of apps
  • Look for Finder > highlight it > Click Relaunch

No Special Characters Allowed

There is a simple rule that you must adhere to. Do not use special characters on your file names. Normally, the users who are new to macOS do not have an idea regarding this. So, they may face this issue while trying to delete such a file.

Make sure not to use special characters such as },{, +,*,&,^,%, etc. So, check your file names. If there is such a special character involved, then remove that, rename the file and retry the deletion. I’m sure now you can easily remove the files.

Forced Deletion of Files via Terminal to fix Mac Error Code 43

In this troubleshooting method, we will use the terminal, issue some commands to permanently trash the files you do not need anymore on your Mac.

  • Launch the Terminal
  • Give the following command
    rm (space)
  • Now you have to drag and drop the files that you wish to delete from your device
  • Hit Return

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Fix Hard Drive Issues With Disk Utility Tool & Solve the Mac Error Code 43

If you think the hard drive is the culprit and is causing the Mac Error Code 43, then you can use the Disk utility tool to fix it. This is an inbuilt tool that can fix up various issues.

  • Click on the Apple Icon > hit Restart
  • While the device restarts, press Command +R till you see the Apple logo
  • The click Disk Utility > click Continue
  • On the left side panel on the next screen, select the disk you wish to repair.
  • The select First Aid
  • If no issue is found, you can just stop right there. There is no problem with your hard drive.
  • If the same files are present over one directory, then the Disk Utility tool will return the Overlapped Extent Allocation Error.
  • If there is a corrupt file, then you can find it in the DamagedFiles folder.
  • In case, you receive the First Aid failed message, then the disk is beyond repair. So, the only move is to take a backup of the existing data and then format the disk. Formatting will erase all the data present on the disk.

So, that’s it. These were some working solutions that you can implement to fix the Mac error code 43. I hope that you found this guide useful in permanently deleting files from your Mac.

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