Get All The Effective Procedures To Troubleshoot Steam Content File Locked Error

In general, while updating the Steam game, users often confront an error message which displays, “an error occurred while updating [game] (Content file locked)”. Basically, when the Steam becomes unable to write the update files to the hard disk, the Steam content file locked problem arises. Moreover, the Steam content files prevent their own files from updating. Sometimes, the steam content files error happens while playing games.

If you are facing such a situation, then this is the best place to resolve the issue. Here, in this article, you can check out how to get rid of this situation. Hence, go through the article carefully and apply the described methods appropriately.

Effective Methods to Fix Steam Content File Locked

If you are getting the Steam content file locked error while updating the Steam game, here you can find all the essential steps to fix the issue. Simply, scroll down to the section below and avail all the essential steps and resolve the issue in instant.

Method 1: Check Antivirus

If you face content file locked Steam error and do not know what to do, then the first thing that you should do to avoid such kind of problem is to disable the antivirus. Antivirus keeps your system safe from harmful threats.

Sometimes, it creates the problem in loading the Steam server. In that case, it is better to turn off the application. Many users reported that disabling the antivirus solves the problem. But after successfully fixing the issue, you need to turn on the antivirus again.

To disable the antivirus, at first, you need to launch the antivirus in your system and go to the Settings option. In the Settings option, you will find Disable the Antivirus option. Click on that and set the time for how much time you wanted to disable it. After that, check whether the error message is still there or not. Otherwise, move to the next section.

Method 2: Reset Winsock

Sometimes, due to the Winsock catalog, the update process might fail. In that case, resetting the Winsock is the best option to get rid of this situation. To reset it, walk through the following steps.

1. At first, press the Windows key + R together to open the Run dialogue window.
2. Type ‘netsh winsock reset’ in the Run window and hit the Enter button.
3. After that, execute the command and then restart the system.

Method 3: Repair Corrupt Files

If the above solutions do not help you to resolve the issue, then you should check the system files. Sometimes, corrupted or damaged system files might lead you in this error message. Therefore, you need to repair the system corrupt files. To do it, go through the steps carefully and try to apply them as mentioned in the below section.

• To proceed further, first, you need to exit from the Steam and then move to the Steam Directory named C:/Program Files (x86)/Steam. Then, select the custom location for the installation and go to the Steam folder.
• After that, navigate to the Logs folder and then open TXT file.
• Just go to the bottom of the TXT file and check for the error message.
• Lastly, restart the system and check whether you are able to fix the problem with the help of this process.

For Steam content file locked fix, you can follow the steps as described above.

Method 4: Reinstall Steam

To get rid of this situation, you should try to reinstall the Steam. To perform so, try out the steps that are described in the below section.

Step 1

At first, launch the Run dialogue box by pressing Windows key and R together. Type ‘Control Panel’ in the Run window to open the Control Panel option.

Step 2

From the Control Panel option, select Programs and Features option. A list of installed application will appear on the system’s screen.

Step 3

Search for the Steam application and right-click on it. Select the Uninstall option from the list.

Step 4

Once done, go to the developer’s website and search the fresh version of Steam and download it. Save the file in a particular folder and open it. After that, install the fresh version of Steam. If the error message still exits, then move to the next methods.

Hence, this is the procedures on how to fix content file locked Steam with your own.

Method 5: Relocate Steam Installation and Game Files

Another reliable solution that you can try to apply is to relocate steam installation and game files. Basically, this method is divided into two parts. The first part is to relocate the Steam and launch it. Hope this will run without an error message. While launching the Steam, if you face the same error, then reinstall the Steam.

In the next section, we have mentioned the entire process in a step-by-step manner.

1. At first, go to the Steam client and then press the Settings option.
2. After that, choose the Downloads option and then click on the Steam library Folders.
3. Now, press the Add Library Folder and choose a new path where you want to place the Steam.
4. It will define a future path for all the installations which will take place. We will move to exit Steam files path that you have selected.
5. After that, exit from the Steam client folder, navigate to the current Steam directory folder. Next, remove all the files and folders excepts SteamApps, Userdata folders, and EXE files as well. Copy all the folders and paste them in the new directory that you have created. Lastly, re-open the Steam and log in to your account.

If you face any difficulties while moving the folder, then walk through the steps mentioned below:

1. First, exit from the Steam and move to the location where you relocate the Steam folder. After that, select SteamApps from the directory and relocate the folder.
2. Now, reinstall the Steam and reinstall the Steam with a fresh version. After all the game content and enter the credentials in the Steam.

After doing this, try to open the game and check whether you are able to play the game.

Concluding Remarks

We hope that your device will be back to normal after applying the methods. If you get benefits from this article while solving the Steam content file locked problem and want more troubleshooting methods for various errors related to Steam, do not forget to give feedback in the comment section.