Steam may not always function at its best. At one point or another, you are bound to come across errors in the software. Steam Content File Locked error reported repeatedly by Gamers, which shows the following message box on your screen: An error occurred while updating [name of the game] (Content file locked):

Steam Content File Locked Error

As the words themselves suggest, the error occurs while attempting to update any game on Steam. Although as disrupting as Steam Content File Locked error seems, the reason why you could be experiencing it could be very minor. It is usually something like the files of the game you want to use are opened in another program in the background, or there is an issue with your hard disk. Sometimes, even the antivirus you use for protecting your computer could be causing Content file locked error on Steam.

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How to Fix Content File Locked Error in Steam

Being an active gamer, Steam Content File Locked error can very easily tick you off and cause frustration for you in no time. So, what is it that you can do to get rid of Steam Content File Locked Error and get ahead with your game?

Following are some easy solutions you can try to keep “An error occurred while updating [name of the game] (Content file locked): message from appearing:

Solution 1 – Repair Corrupt Files

The most recommended and effective solution to the Steam content file locked error is to mend all corrupt files. Corrupted files can cause major setbacks for your games, and you should keep a strong lookout for them from time to time.

They infect your computer restrict it from conducting tasks that the user may command it to. The way to delete them is as follows:

Step 1 – First, exit Steam and navigate to the ‘Steam Directory‘ from when you installed the application.

Step 2 – Click on the folder that says ‘Logs‘ and go to the option ‘Txt‘.

Step 3 – Once redirected, navigate the options that open and look for errors. Hunt for the ‘Root Folder‘ of the mod.

Step 4 – Next, restart Steam and go to the folder that says ‘Downloads‘. On doing this, you will get the pop up that requires you to update your game. Click on it to see if the updates happen.

Solution 2 – Retune Winsock

Winsock is a supporting program that caters to the input and output requests put forth by internal applications of the computer.

Sometimes, what is preventing your updates could be the disconnection of data between networks utilized by Winsock, hence causing trouble for you to run it. In this case, you need to retune it to make it fully functional. Following are the steps for the same:

Step 1 – Press the Windows key and the key ‘R‘ at the same time to proceed to the Run Command.

Step 2 – Then, manually type in the words ‘Netsh Winsock Reset‘ in the dialogue box.

Step 3 – Press ‘Enter‘ to proceed with the task.

Step 4 – Try updating your game to see if the content file locked error in Steam continues to appear.

Solution 3 – Change the Place of Steam Installation and Game Files

Another way to go about resolving the error is to relocate all the existing Steam files on your computer. Sometimes, the cause of the Steam content file locked error could be a technical mistake in the path of the application, thus changing it might rectify your problem. The way to go about doing this is as follows:

Step 1 – Go to the ‘Steam Client‘ of your application and proceed to ‘Settings‘.

Step 2 – Navigate to ‘Downloads‘ and select the option that says ‘Steam Library Folders‘.

Step 3 – Once redirected, click on ‘Add Library Folders‘ and choose the path where you want Steam to be located. Then, exit the ‘Steam Client‘.

Step 4 – Now, go to your new Steam location, and proceed towards deleting all the files except the ones titled ‘Steamapps and UserData Folder‘.

Step 5 – Cut and Paste these remaining files in the new folder you have made at the location of your choice.

Step 6 – Re-launch Steam, and try updating your games to see if the Steam content file locked error still occurs.

Solution 4 – Disable the Antivirus

Sometimes, there are certain antiviruses that go to a lot of extents for the safety of your computer. If none of the above-provided solutions works, then it is highly possible that the anti-virus you use is causing the problem.

It is very likely to restrict any updates from installing on your computer as an attempt to restrict all foreign data from attacking your files. In this case, what you need to do is find a way to disable your antivirus.

Of course, every anti-virus has a different procedure to go about disabling it, so you need to find yours accordingly. You need not worry; you only need to disable it until your game updates are over. Once they finish, you can go ahead and enable it to further ensure your computer’s safety.

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Final Words

One of the other of the above-mentioned solutions should be able to rid you of the Content File Locked issue on your computer. Content file locked error in Steam is very minor and can be resolved by adapting to quite easy solutions. Nobody likes interruptions in their gaming, so you should go ahead and resolve the error as soon as you can.

After all, keeping all applications even updated games are very important, as you do not want to be missing out on new features and be outdated with the software. All updates are brought to you by the best, and you should install them for an instant as well as smooth gaming. Although, always be mindful of what you download on your computer.