Steam was first developed to allow for automated updates for their games, but it was subsequently expanded to include games from other publishers. Because of its compatibility and large game library, it’s simple to manage all of your material in one place, schedule times with friends, and even join groups of like-minded gamers. However, while trying to update some titles through Steam, you may receive Steam Content File Locked message. This is highly inconvenient, and you are not the only one facing this issue. Steam download content file locked is a common problem that might be misinterpreted as a sophisticated or complicated issue. We bring to you a helpful guide to fix this issue. So, continue reading!
How to Fix Steam Content File Locked in Windows 10
Sometimes Steam may not be able to copy the updated files to your computer’s hard drive, stopping you from playing the most recent version of any game. Difficulty with permissions is frequently the cause of this issue. You may solve Steam download content file locked problem without putting in a lot of work if you use the appropriate and reasoned approach.
Follow the methods given below step by step to fix the said issue.
Metoade 1: Restart PC
Some apps on your PC may clash with Steam or your game, causing the content file to be locked. To switch off undesirable apps, restart your computer in this scenario. Once your computer has rebooted, reinstall your game to see if your problem has been resolved.
1. Gean nei de Startmenu.
2. No, selektearje de macht ikoan.
Noat: In Windows 10, the Power icon is found at the bottom. Whereas in Windows 8, the Power icon is located at the top.
3. Several options like Sliep, Ofslúte, en Restart will be displayed. Here, click on Restart.
Method 2: Run Steam as Administrator
Steam may require special rights to access certain files and directories. The simplest way is to run Steam as administrator every time to fix Steam content file locked issue.
1. Rjochts-klikke op de steam.exe bestân en selektearje eigenskippen.
2. Gean nei de Compatibility ljepper en kontrolearje de Dit programma útfiere as behearder opsje.
3. As lêste, klik op Tapasse > OK om feroaringen te bewarjen.
4. Op 'e nij starte Steam and verify if the problem of steam download content file locked still exists or not.
Method 3: Restart Steam
Follow these steps to restart Steam.
1. iepenje de taak Manager troch te slaan de Ctrl + Shift + Esc kaaien mei-inoar.
2. Sykje en selektearje de unwanted eftergrûn prosessen using high Oantinken.
3. Klik dan Oanfolling taak, as shown highlighted.
4. Now, relaunch the Steam app.
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Method 4: Verify Integrity of Game Files
Please check the integrity of the game files by following the procedures below after deactivating the installed antivirus:
1. Start de Steam application on your system and switch to the Biblioteek ljepper fan boppen ôf.
2. Under Game Library, you will see the list of all your games. Locate the wedstriid you wish to verify. Make a right-click on it to open eigenskippen, lykas werjûn.
3. Wikselje nei de Lokale bestannen tab in-game Properties window.
4. Hjir, klik op Ferifiearje yntegriteit fan spultsje triemmen button, as shown below.
5. Wachtsje for Steam to verify the integrity of your game files.
Method 5: Clear Download Cache
Steam download cache functions similarly to other caches. While this makes it easier and faster to retrieve files stored in the cache, errors can compound, resulting in failed updates and a content file-locked warning.
1. Hit de Windows-kaai, type Steam, en klikje op Run as administrator.
2. No, gean nei de Steam tab en selektearje ynstellings from the drop-down menu. Refer to the pic below.
3. Selektearje it downloads settings on the left pane.
4. Scroll down to the bottom and click on the CLEAR DOWNLOAD CACHE knop.
5. Klik op OK yn de Download-cache wiskje befêstiging prompt.
6. As lêste, klik op OK om feroaringen te bewarjen.
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Method 6: Disable Third-party Antivirus (If Applicable)
If you have third-party antivirus installed on your PC then it also may block the Steam app and cause Steam content file locked issue. So follow the steps listed below to disable third-party antivirus.
Note 1: It is not recommended to uninstall any antivirus program from your PC, since it protects your system from viruses and threats.
Note 2: We have shown the steps for Norton Security Antivirus as an example.
1. Rjochts-klikke op de Antivirus Program byldkaike út it systeemfak en selektearje Disable Auto-Protect.
2. Folgjende, Selektearje de doer dropdown menu for which the Antivirus will remain disabled on the Security Request side.
Method 7: Move Steam Game Files
Try moving the Steam installation and game files to a different location. You might be able to resolve the steam download content file locked problem once you’ve done that.
1. Launch Steam en klikje op 'e BIBLIOTEEK tab.
2. Here, right-click on the Installed Game en klikje op Eigenskippen ... lykas hjirûnder yllustrearre.
3. On the new screen, click on LOKALE FILES > Move install folder… lykas werjûn.
4. Kies de Ride (bgl Drive G:) fan Select the target drive “name & size of game” should be moved to the drop-down menu. Then, click on Bewege.
5. No, Wachtsje for the process to complete. You can check progress in the MOVE CONTENT skerm.
6. Once the moving process is completed, click on Slute, as highlighted below.
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Method 8: Repair Steam Library Folders
1. Launch Steam en gean nei dyn ynstellings nei it klikken STEAM yn de hoek lofts boppe op it skerm.
2. Once you’re in ynstellings, gean nei de downloads opsje op it linker paniel.
3. Klik op 'e STEAM LIBRARY FOLDERS knop.
4. Here, select the drive and click on the trije stippen byldkaike, then choose Repair Folder from the context menu. Refer to the pic below.
5. Wait for Steam to Repair Folder.
6. Ta beslút, opnij starte Steam after repairing all the library folders by following the above steps.
Method 9: Reset Windows Sockets
The Winsock catalog is another problem that might cause Steam content file locked. The Windows Sockets API, sometimes known as Winsock, is a technical standard in computing that governs how Windows network software should access network services, particularly TCP/IP. Winsock is a protocol that connects a Windows TCP/IP client program to the TCP/IP protocol stack. To restore the system to its default settings, use the reset command and follow the instructions below:
1. Klik op Start en type Opdrachtprompt, Klikje dan op Run as administrator út de sykresultaten.
2. Klik op Ja yn de Kontrôle foar brûker akkount befêstiging prompt.
3. Type netsh winsock reset in the Command Prompt window, and press the Yngean kaai.
Once you’ve completed the three procedures and given Winsock a chance to rest, you may attempt updating the game to see whether the steam content file locked issue has been resolved.
Metoade 10: Systeembestannen reparearje
The game installation files on your hard disc may be corrupted or have faulty sectors. Parts of the hard disc that have bad sectors can’t be accessed or run slowly. If you want to see if your hard disc has any damaged sectors, do a Disk Check scan:
1. Launch Command Prompt as behearder.
2. Type chkdsk C: / f / r / x kommando en hit Enter kaai.
3. If you are prompted with a message, Chkdsk cannot run…the volume is… in use process, then, type Y en rekke de Enter kaai.
4. Again, type the command: sfc / scannow en parse Enter kaai te rinne de Systeem File Checker scan.
Noat: A system scan will be initiated and it will take a couple of minutes to finish. Meanwhile, you can continue performing other activities but be mindful of not accidentally closing the window.
After completing the scan, it will show either of these messages:
- Windows Resource Protection fûn gjin yntegriteitskendingen.
- Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation.
- Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
- Windows Resource Protection fûn korrupte triemmen mar koe gjinien fan har beheine.
5. Once the scan is finished, opnij begjinne jo PC.
6. Again, launch Command Prompt as behearder and execute the given commands one after the other:
dism.exe /Online /cleanup-image /scanhealth dism.exe /Online /cleanup-image /restorehealth dism.exe /Online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup
Noat: You must have a working internet connection to execute DISM commands properly.
Steam is a fantastic gaming platform for PCs. Don’t allow a few little blunders to get in the way of a gaming marathon–just know how to fix any issues that arise along the way, and you’ll be OK.
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Metoade 11: Steam opnij ynstallearje
If none of the above methods fix Steam content file locked issue then, reinstall Steam by following the given steps.
1. Firstly, go to the Steam folder and right-click on steamapps map, selektearje dan de Kopiearje opsje.
2. Dan, paste the folder in the other location to meitsje in reservekopy of the installed games.
3. Now hit the Windows-kaai, type Apps en funksjes, en klikje op Iepen.
4. Útkieze Steam en klikje op 'e -ynstallaasje knop werjûn markearre.
5. Klikje nochris op -ynstallaasje Befêstigje.
6. Yn de Steam Uninstall finster, klikje op -ynstallaasje to remove Steam.
7. Dan, opnij begjinne your Windows PC.
8. Download de Lêtste fersje of Steam from your web browser, as shown.
9. After downloading, run the downloaded SteamSetup.exe bestân troch dûbel te klikken.
10. Yn de Steam Setup wizard, click on the Folgjende knop.
11. Kies de Bestimming map troch it brûken fan 'e Blêdzje ... option or keep the standert opsje, Klikje dan op Ynstallearje, lykas hjirûnder ôfbylde.
12. Wait for the installation to be completed and click on Ein, lykas werjûn.
13. After installing Steam, move the steamapps backup folder you previously made to the installed Steam folder.
14. Ta beslút, start jo PC opnij op.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Why is it taking so long for my Steam download to complete?
Ans. Too many games and large titles in the Steam library, a malfunctioning download server, in obsolete network driver, and an unreliable network connection are all reasons for sluggish Steam download speeds.
Q2. Why isn’t Steam downloading?
Ans. Servers in a particular region may be sluggish, overloaded, or suffer from a hardware breakdown, creating download problems. Use a different set of content servers and temporarily move to a different download area. Download Region > Steam > Settings > Downloads
Q3. What is the procedure for unlocking a content file?
Ans. Steam should be relaunched when you restart your PC. Go to the BIBLIOTEEK menu and right-click on the game that’s causing you trouble. Select the Lokale bestannen ljepper út de eigenskippen menu. Steam will validate the game’s integrity in a few minutes if you click the verify integrity of game files button.
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We hope this information was helpful and that you were able to fix Steam content file locked issue. If you have any questions, suggestions, or if you have any other way to steam download content file locked issue, please reach out to us in the comment section below.