Steam Content File Locked Error is a common error among Steam users. As steam is a Valve Corporation giant, and it is a digital distribution platform that provides DRM (Digital Rights Management), multiplayer gaming, video streaming and social networking services. It helps its members with installation and automatic updating of its PC and other related soft wares. Its various unique features include cloud saving, in-game voice, chat, friend’s list and group etc. Hence, that is what makes it unique from its various other competitors.
Steamworks is an Application Process Interface; it is a service of steam and is available for free for the developers. Developer’s use this service to apply various steam functions into their functions such as match-making, networking, micro-transaction etc.
But it is not all sweet. There is an error that can arise your system while you use steam, and that error is known as Steam Content File Locked Error (It shows as – An error occurred while updating [game] (Content file locked)). It is a fundamental error, but it can be very frustrating as it can be very widespread and is a long-lasting kind of error.
How Can We Fix Steam Content File Locked Error
There are various ways through which you can resolve this Steam Content File Locked Error. In this article, you can find some of the straightforward and efficient ways to solve the issue.
Fix #1: Mend Corrupt Files
Corrupt files can cause serious damage to the system. Moreover, corruption can destroy any kind of first-rate operation functionality. Therefore, it is necessary to remove corrupt files. And sometimes only this can do the trick.
You can try this method to fix Steam Content File Locked Error. You can follow the below-given steps to achieve the desired results.
Step 1: Firstly, Quit Steam and move to the ‘Steam Directory’ (C:/Program Files (x86)/Steam) that you chose while installing it on your computer system.
Step 2: Now, move to ‘Logs’ folder and select ‘txt’.
Step 3: After that, go to extreme down of the text file and find recent errors.
Step 4: Now, find ‘root’ folder of the mod.
Step 5: ‘Restart’ steam and go to download folder. An update requirement will pop-up.
Step 6: Finally, update the necessary files.
If this method does not work for you, then you can move to the other methods that are mentioned below. There is no need to worry if this method did not work for you. Every method works according to specific system specifications. That is why there are more than one ways to solve any problems.
Fix #2: Retune Winsock
This problem exclusively causes the Steam Content File Locked Error. The solution of this problem is to perform a series of accurate rundowns. If you perform the rundowns correctly, then the problem of the Steam Content File Locked Error can easily be solved.
You have to follow the below given steps to obtain the desired solution.
Step 1: Start with, pressing the Windows key + R together and proceed with the run.
Step 2: Enter the below-mentioned command in the dialog box.
netsh winsock reset
Step 3: At last, press ‘Enter’ to implement the above-given command.
If this method does not work for you, then you can try the other below given methods. It sometimes happens that certain methods do not work for a certain system. But it is not the same for all the methods if one method is not working maybe the next one will.
Fix #3: Disable Antivirus
Sometimes, every other thing turns out to be fine and the main reason behind your Steam Content File Locked Issue. It has happened many times that your antivirus causes the problem. It blocks certain actions due to which you would not be able to perform certain necessary operations.
So, the best way to get rid of this error is by disabling your antivirus. Every antivirus has a different option or procedure to disable itself that you would surely know how to disable your antivirus. Once done, you can re-start and re-login the Steam to check if the Steam Content File Locked Issue has been resolved or not.
Fix #4: Reposition Steam Installation and Game Files
Sometimes, just changing the location of the file can help you get rid of your problems. Repositioning proves to be very useful in certain cases. So, follow the steps given below to achieve the results.
Step 1: The first step is to locate your ‘Steam.exe’. Once done, move to settings.
Step 2: Next, you have to go to the Settings and then select ‘Downloads’.
Step 3: In ‘Downloads’ select the ‘Steam Library Folder’ option.
Step 4: Now, click on ‘Add Library Folder’ and then, select the new path where you want the Steam to be located.
Step 5: This step will provide you with a platform for all the other installations that you want to be stored in the selected folder.
Step 6: When done, exit ‘Steam Client’.
Step 7: Now, you need to locate your current steam location.
Step 8: Afterwards, delete all the files and folder present there except, Steam Apps and User Data Folder.
Step 9: Now, first, you have to cut all the files and folders and then paste them into the new directory that has been specified earlier.
Step 10: At the end, Launch Steam and then re-login to check if Steam Content File Locked the problem still persists or not.
Note: – You should use this method only when all the other methods mentioned above does not work for your computer system. It is a highly effective and easy way of solving the Steam Content File Locked Issue.
Final Words
As you must have known by now that, Steam Content File Locked Error is a widespread and certainly long-lasting error. Therefore, a lot of people get tricked into mistaking it as a hard to remove kind of error. Unlike its personality, it is very easy to resolve. You just need to use any of the above given suitable methods for your computer system and there you go.
Steam Content File Locked error does not need any fancy solutions. You have everything available in your computer system that you need to demolish this Steam Content File Locked Error. All you need to do is carefully follow the steps mentioned above for whichever method you are implementing, and everything will turn out as fine.