Most game players must be familiar with Steam! Steam is a video game digital distribution service for those unfamiliar with it. Steam provides digital rights management, video streaming, server hosting, and social networking services. It also offers its users a variety of games and automated game updates. It also has community features like buddy lists, groups, in-game voice, chat options, etc. Due to its unmatched services, it has attracted millions of users from all over the globe. However, some users have been facing the Steam Content file locked error when attempting to update certain games. On updating certain games from Steam, the screen shows the notice ‘An error occurred while updating *game title* (content file locked).’ Users are barred from updating games from Steam due to this error. Hence, here are some methods to fix this error on your device and begin updating games from Steam without facing any errors.
Steam Content File Locked Error? How To Fix
The Content File Locked error on Steam might be caused by several factors. As a result, you must begin performing each method until the error on your device is fixed.
Check Antivirus
Steam files may have been flagged as potentially malicious by your antivirus software. It cannot, therefore, write files to your hard disk. Instead, you must disable your antivirus and check the integrity of game files on Steam to fix this error. Execute this method by following the instructions listed below.
1 – Turn off the antivirus program already installed on your computer.
2 – Restart your computer and open Steam.
3 – In the Library area, right-click on the game facing an error and select the Properties option.
4 – Go to the Local Files tab in the Options box and select the VERIFY INTEGRITY OF GAME FILES option.
Try updating games on Steam after checking the integrity of game files. The Steam Content File Locked error should be fixed. Move ahead to the next method if not.
Reset Winsock
Due to the Winsock catalog, you may be facing the Content File Locked error on your Steam device. To reset Winsock, follow the instructions listed below.
1 – Start Running on your computer by hitting the Windows icon and the R key.
2 – To start Command Prompt, type cmd in the Run box and press OK.
3 – In this window, enter netsh winsock reset and press Enter.
The Steam Content File Locked error should be fixed. Move ahead to the next method if not.
Run Steam As An Administrator
Stream has to be run as an Administrator to have unique rights to access certain folders and files. Execute this method by following the instructions listed below.
1 – Right-click on Steam and choose the Properties option.
2 – Go to the Compatibility tab and check the Run this program as an Administrator check box. Next, click the Apply and OK options to save the changes.
3 – Restart Steam and check whether the error has been fixed.
The Steam Content File Locked error should be fixed. Move ahead to the next method if not.
Change Steam & Game Files Location
Some users have claimed that altering the location of Steam and Game files may fix the Content File Locked error. To do so, follow the instructions listed below!
1 – Go to Steam Client and choose Settings.
2 – Select Downloads >> Steam Library Folders.
3 – Here, choose ADD LIBRARY FOLDER and pick a new location for Steam.
4 – Exit the Steam Client and navigate to the Steam directory.
5 – Delete the exe and all the files except UserData and SteamApp folders.
6 – Transfer the remaining files to the previously chosen location.
7 – Now, run Steam on your Computer, login, and check to see whether the error has been fixed.
If the above-listed actions do not fix the error, you may execute the below instructions.
1 – Exit Steam on the PC.
2 – Go to where you transferred all the Steam and Game files.
3 – Transfer the StyeamApp folder to your desktop from that location.
4 – Uninstall Steam to delete your PC’s previous Steam settings.
5 – Reinstall Steam in the original location.
6 – Copy the SteamApps folder to the new Steam directory.
7 – Open Steam and log in to your account. Then, execute the actions listed in Method 1 to confirm the integrity of Steam game files.
The Steam Content File Locked error should be fixed. Move ahead to the next method if not.
Repair Corrupt Files
Follow the instructions to restore all faulty files and fix the Content File Locked error on Steam.
1 – Exit Steam and go to your Steam directory.
2 – Click Txt in the Logs folder.
3 – Search for any error at the bottom of this text file.
4 – Next, search for the Root folder.
5 – Restart Steam on your computer and go to your download folder.
6 – Click the Update option to update the game files and fix the Content File Locked error.
The Steam Content File Locked error should be fixed. Move ahead to the next method if not.
Uninstall & Reinstall Steam
If none of the above-listed methods aid you in fixing the Content File Locked error on your device, you must uninstall and reinstall Steam.
FAQs:
What Does Steam Content File Locked Error Mean?
Steam cannot write files to your hard drive because of the Content File Locked Error. As a result of the error, users are prevented from updating their games.
How To Fix Steam Content File Locked Error?
Numerous methods might assist you in fixing the error. Some of the more effective methods are listed above.
Is The Steam Content File Locked Message A Virus?
The Content File Locked error on Steam is not caused by a virus. Instead, it is a message informing users of the error.
The Bottom Line:
This concludes our discussion of the Content File Locked error on Steam and how to fix it. The stages in each of the methods are simple to comprehend and execute. Please let us know in the comments below if you have a superior method to fix the Content File Locked error on Steam.