The downloads folder has disappeared from my iMac with Ventura 13.3.1

Joysprite wrote:

I have no idea how I did this, but I no longer have a downloads folder that I can locate on my iMac Retina 5K with Ventura 13.3.1. Checked trash, don't have a Time Machine backup for the last five months🤦🏼‍♀️, tried the sidebar trick (the box to check for the downloads folder has a minus symbol in it), used the terminal to look to see if it was a hidden file, nothing. Recently, I had a request to add a file to the downloads folder, but I couldn't save to it, if it exists.

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/035c1458-9d42-41d6-8ef3-85d3e521e100

I am amazed that I was somehow able to delete it permanently. Is this something I can fix myself? Is there a trick I haven't tried? I'm sure there has to be either a way to find it or replace it.

well I have no explanation—

You can re-install the macOS on top of your existing macOS to sort the issue—

How to reinstall macOS

from Recovery (both M1 and Intel) — How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support

if you want to trouble shoot further you can:

—Test issue in another user (or guest user) account Change Users & Groups settings on Mac - Apple Support

This will tell you if it a universal issue or isolated to your user/admin account. 

—A SafeBoot How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support will sort many anomalies

This test will tell you if third party interference; most* extensions etc are not loaded in safe boot mode.

I will add— Uninstall all third party apps that are Cleaners/Optimizers/VPN/Anti-Virus

all known to cause issues on the macOS