Steam remains the premier platform for digital distribution of games and software, but users often encounter issues that can hinder their gaming experience. One such problem is the “Steam content file locked” error, which occurs during game updates.
This error can be frustrating as it prevents users from updating and, in some cases, playing their games. In this article, we will explore what this error means, its causes, and provide detailed solutions to help users resolve the issue effectively.
What Does the “Steam Content File Locked” Error Mean?
The “Steam content file locked” error typically appears during the update process when Steam is unable to write updates to the hard drive.
This message indicates that Steam cannot modify or replace content files needed to complete the update. As a result, the update process halts, leaving the game in an unplayable state until the issue is resolved.
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Causes of the Steam Content File Locked Error
Understanding the causes of this error is crucial for troubleshooting:
1. Antivirus Interference
The most common cause is interference from antivirus software. Many antivirus programs can mistakenly identify Steam’s update process as a threat and lock the files necessary for the update, preventing Steam from accessing them.
2. Corrupt Files
Corruption within Steam files or the game files themselves can also trigger this error. Corrupted files may fail to be read or written correctly, leading to update issues.
3. Permission Issues
If Steam lacks the necessary permissions to access certain folders on your system, it may not be able to update games. This typically happens due to the settings in the operating system that restrict folder access.
4. Hard Drive Issues
Faults in the hard drive where the games are installed can prevent files from being updated or written properly. This includes physical damage or sectors that might have become unreadable.
Solutions to Fix the Steam Content File Locked Error
To resolve this error and resume normal game updates and gameplay, you can try the following solutions:
1: Check Your Antivirus Software
Step 1: Temporarily disable your antivirus software.
Step 2: Attempt to update your game in Steam. If the update completes without issues, the antivirus was blocking the files.
Step 3: Configure your antivirus to exclude your Steam directory and game directories from its real-time scanning processes.
Method 2: Reset Winsock
Another causal reason of the Steam Content File Locked error may be the failure which is causing during the update of Winesoch catalog.
Step 1: First of all you have to open the run window by pressing the combination of keys Windows key + R key which you have to run as an administrator.
Step 2: A dialogue box will appear on your screen in which you have to type the following command netsh winsock reset.
Step 3: Finally you just have to execute the command and then reboot your device once in order to make the changes effective.
We hope this will probably solve your issue. But if due to any reason it doesn’t work then move on and try the next solution that we have provided below in the article.
Method 3: Repair Corrupt Files
In case, both the above-mentioned solutions are failed to solve your issue then you should try troubleshooting the file which gets corrupted or missing, and after finding it, delete and redownloading the whole file.
Follow the steps which we have mentioned below to do so:
Step 1: First of all you have to close your steam and then go to the system directory which is (C:/Program Files (x86)/Steam).
In case your downloads are chosen to be downloaded in a custom location then you will have to go to the:
Step 2: Go to the folder which is named as logs from which you have to open the txt.
Step 3: Scroll down at the below of your text file and check the errors which are formed recently.
Step 4: Now you have to look for the APPID for the ARK Survival Evolved which is the number that is present at first in the URL.
Step 5: Now go to the mod’s root folder.
Step 6: Now start your steam again and then go to the folder named as a download. If your steam wants an update then go for it and update Al the files which need to be updated.
This method will solve your issue but unfortunately if it doesn’t then don’t worry as we have some other methods also.
Method 4: Relocate Steam Installation and Game Files
In case, all the solutions which we have mentioned above are failed to solve your issue then you should try to relocate the installation of your stream and the files of your games. We have provided this method in two parts.
During the first part of our solution, you have to relocate the steam and check if it gets launched and also it is running well. But in case, if at the time of opening of the stream any issue is occurring then you will have to delete and install the steam again.
The whole process of doing so is mentioned below in our article. So just carry on and perform the method. But make sure that the interruption which may cause during the process of copying can result in the corrupted files. That’s why you must resort to install your client once again.
Step 1: First of all you have to go to the Steam client and then open the settings.
Step 2: Click on the Downloads option and then select the option Steam Library Folders.
Step 3: Now you have to click on the option Add Library Folder and select the path of installation according to your preference through which you want to locate your Steam.
Step 4: The future installation will get installed through the selected path which you have selected now. Now you have to move the steam files which is already existed in the selected path.
Step 5: Close your Steam client.
Step 6: Now go to the current system directory (by default it is saved as C: \Program Files \Steam).
Step 7: Now you have to remove each and every files by deleting it but do not remove your user data folder, stream application, and exe.
Step 8: Now cut all of the folders and then paste to the new path which you have selected in the above steps.
Step 9: Open your Stream Application and log in again.
In case you are reporting any of the issues when you are trying to move your stream folder or even after opening it then you will have to follow the steps which are provided below:
Step 1: First of all you have to close your Stream application.
Step 2: Now go to the location where you have located your stream in the above step.
Step 3: Change the location of StreamApp again and this time locates it on your desktop.
Step 4: Now you have to uninstall your stream (just to renew the settings of your PC).
Step 5: Reinstall your Stream application at the location which you have selected in the previous step.
Step 6: Now move your Stream folder into the Stream directory that is newly made
Step 7: This step will help you to copy all the contents of your earlier game and your settings also.
Step 8: Now open your Stream application and then put the credentials.
Step 9: Then finally verify the integrity and you have done it.
This solution is very effective and will solve your issue but unfortunately, if it’s not working then try the next methods that we have provided below.
Method 5: Check Disk Scan
Sometimes the issue may be caused due to the Hard Drive in which your stream is installed gets corrupted due to some reasons or it may contain any bad sector which is not suitable.
If your hard drive contains any bad sector then it will result in slowing down of speed and some hard drive areas will get unable to be accessed. That’s why you should perform a scan of disk check to have a look if there is any corrupted or bad sector.
In order to do so, you have to follow the steps that we have mentioned below:
Step 1: First of all you have to press the combination of keys Windows key + R key at the same time in order to open the dialog box.
Step 2: After the command box appears on your screen, type the following command “cmd” and hit the Enter key.
Step 3: Now type the command “chkdsk c: /f” and hit the Enter key again in order to initiate it.
Step 4: Press the Y key I order to give permission of scanning your disk check.
Step 5: Keep patience until your Disk check scan gets finished and have a look if you have solved the issue.
In case the issue is still irritating you then you must follow our last solution.
Method 6: Run as Administrator
Sometimes the stream which you are using on your computer needs some special permissions which must be granted to access some of the folders and files.
Otherwise, the stream will get blocked and will not unable to access the files and folders which may result in the issue “Content File is Locked”. That’s why in the method you have to try to run your stream as an Administrator.
Follow the steps mentioned below to do so:
Step 1: First of all you have to right-click on the icon of your stream application and then click on the Properties option.
Step 2: Now select the tab named Compatibility and mark a tick on the option Run as administrator.
Step 3: Select the option Apply then select OK.
Step 4: Finally open your stream and check if you have solved the issue.
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Conclusion
We have provided you with all the possible methods on how you can solve the Steam Content File Locked issue. We have started with simple solutions in the hope that it can solve the issue. We recommend you to follow the methods step by step in our series. We are pretty sure this article will be helpful for you.
