6 Ways to Fix Steam Content File Locked Error [RESOLVED]

In this article, we are going to talk about how to fix the Steam Content File Locked Issue. This is a very common error. It usually happens while updating a Steam game. It displays that “An error occurred while updating [game] (Content file locked)”.

You may be wondering what this actually means? So it means that Steam is unable to write updated files on the hard disk, by which you become unable to play the latest version of any game.

This is a widespread error and the good news is it is totally possible to solve this. You just have to follow some simple methods with the correct steps. It is really easy to resolve this error hence keep reading ahead to know its solutions.

6 Ways to Fix Steam Content File Locked Error

The very common solution for this is to uninstall Steam and all local game content. After this reinstall them from starting. It is an effective solution but it is very time-consuming.

It also takes a huge amount of data. Hence we are giving you some simple methods which are not time-consuming at all.

They are very easy to understand and don’t consume lots of data to perform. Hence you must try these methods before trying the above-given solution.

Steam Content File Locked Issue is not a very complex issue, hence just relax and follow any of the given methods to get rid of this issue as soon as possible.

Solution 1: Check Antivirus

It is observed often that in many cases, due to antivirus these errors happen. You can either disable your antivirus when you are updating the game.

Sometimes antivirus suspects that your steam files are viruses and hence it restricts them. It also depends on which antivirus software you are using.

So the most efficient way available here is to disable your antivirus completely till you are downloading steam files.

McAfee Antivirus

McAfee Antivirus software is one of the popular antivirus software available. Hence it is mostly used. It scans almost all the files which are present in the computer system. Hence there is no way that it will exclude steam files. So all you have to do is disable antivirus while downloading steam files. Follow some simple steps for this –

Step 1 – Just Open McAfee and click on “Virus and Spyware Protection”.

Step 2 – Now just find the option of “Real-Time Scanning”, now just turn it off.

Now you must be wondering whether the game’s files which you download are safe or not! If yes, then follow some steps which are given below to check the integrity of files that you download.

Step 1 – Firstly restart your computer and after restarting, just relaunch steam.

Step 2 – Now go to the library section, and select the game with which you are having problems.

Step 3 – Now just select Properties and click on the local files tab which is present there.

Step 4 – Now just click on the verify integrity of games files button.

Step 5 – Now steam will verify that game.

ESET NOD32

Eset NOD32 usually marks some files as malicious. Hence it can be a reason for this error too. It usually doesn’t let it work and hence it displays the error.

There is a very easy solution for fixing Steam Content File Locked Issues. Follow the steps which are given below:

Step 1 – Browse to your Steam directory and copy its address.

Step 2 – The default location is C:\Program File\Steam\SteamApps\common

Step 3 – Now just open Eset NOD32 and paste the location in to exclude it from real-time scanning.

Step 4 – Now lastly, follow the steps which are given above to check the integrity of downloaded game files.

Kaspersky AV

Kaspersky sometimes disables steam files. It suspects it as some kind of harmful file and hence disables it. You can fix this problem with some simple steps. Follow these steps –

Step 1 – Just go to the threads and exclusions.

Step 2 – Now just navigate to the trusted

Step 3 – Now add exe as a trusted application. You also have to change the settings to the “do not restrict application activity and also Do not scan the open files”.

Step 4 – Similarly follow, the steps which are given above to check the integrity of downloaded game files.

Step 5 – Now restart your Computer.

Solution 2: Reset winsock

Resetting Winsock will surely Fix the Steam Content File Locked Issue. It is actually a command in windows that helps to recover the computer from any errors. It is true in almost 80 percent of cases.

So follow the steps which are given below for resetting Winsock.

Step 1 – Press the Windows R key or Open the Run Command.

Step 2 – Now try to enter ‘netsh reset winsock’ and click OK.

Step 3 – Finally restart your computer.

Solution 3: Repair Corrupt Files

This is also a popular method that is used for fixing Steam Content File Locked Issue. Follow some really easy steps which are given below for resolving this error.

Step 1 – Go to Steam directory (C:/Program Files (x86)/Steam). This is the default location.

Step 2 – Now go to the folder named logs and open txt.

Step 3 – Now move to the bottom and try to search for recent errors. The number written first in the URL is your APPID.

Step 4 – Now go to the root folder of this mod. Now restart Steam, and try to go to the download folder.

Step 5 – Now you will see that Steam is asking for an update for any game. Just update it. You will notice that your issue is resolved.

Solution 4: Relocate Steam Installation and Game Files

This is a lengthy process, hence try to follow all steps very carefully. We will try here to relocate steam and then we will try to launch and run Steam.

It is expected that it will run properly, but if it doesn’t then we will have to reinstall Steam. Hence try to read and follow all steps very carefully. Firstly we are presenting steps for relocating Steam.

Step 1 – Go to Steam Client and select settings. Now click on downloads and then click on Steam Library Folders.

Step 2 – Now just click on the Add library folder and try to choose a new path where you want to relocate your steam

Step 3 – Now we will try to move existing Steam files to the path you selected. After this, try to exit the Steam Client.

Step 4 – Now go to the current Steam directory. Default location is C: \Program Files \Steam).

Step 5 – Now try to delete all files and folders. Remember that you don’t have to delete SteamApps, UserData folders, delete.exe at all.

Step 6 – Now try to cut all folders and after that try to paste them to the new directory. Now try to launch Steam and try to log in.

If you face any problems try to follow these steps, then follow these steps which are given below.

Step 1 – Firstly close Steam, now browse the location where you relocated the Steam.

Step 2 – Now try to relocate the Steam folders to your desktop.

Step 3 – Now uninstall Steam and now try to reinstall steam to the initial location you decided. Now move the Steamapps folder to the new steam directory.

Step 4 – Now try to launch Steam and try to enter your credentials.

Step 5 – Now just similarly follow the steps which are given to check the integrity of downloaded game files.

Solution 5: Check Disk Scan

Checking disk scan can also resolve this error. Follow the steps which are given below. It helps to repair errors of the disk. Sometimes due to a corrupt disk, such errors happen.

Step 1 – Try to press the Windows R key simultaneously.

Step 2 – Just try to type cmd in the dialog box and click enter. Now try to type in chkdsk c: /f and press Enter to start it.

Step 3 – Now try to press Y to confirm the disk hard scan.

Step 4 – wait for scanning to complete. Cheers, you have completed all your steps and now notice that your issue is resolved.

Solution 6: Run As Administrator

If you have tried all methods above and it didn’t work. Then you must try this method. Actually sometimes Steam requires special permission for accessing any files or folders.

It may be a reason for your steam content file locked issue because Steam doesn’t have special permissions.

Steam maybe is restricted from accessing the file or folder hence this error happens. To resolve this issue, you have to simply run Steam as an administrator.

Just follow the steps which are given below for running Steam as an administrator.

Step 1 – Try to right-click on the steam icon. Now click on the properties option. Now try to click on the compatibility tab and search for the Run as administrator option.

Step 2 – Now just click on apply and then on OK. Cheers, you are done and now just run steam.

Conclusion

Fixing Steam Content File Locked Issue is not as difficult as it sounds. It can be solved in many easy ways. We have tried to list 6 of the above. These methods are very effective and very easy to follow.

You can choose any of the above methods which seem suitable to you. Please let us know if this helped you. I really appreciate how this helps you in fixing this error.

You can try different methods according to different reasons. This issue is very common hence don’t worry at all. I hope these methods work for you. Try to read all steps carefully and cheers your issue will be resolved.