Many Steam users have encountered the “content file locked” error when trying to update games with Valve’s gaming client. One user said this on Steam’s forum: “Whenever I click to update, this error occurs after a few seconds, ‘An error occurred while updating Chivarly: Medieval Warfare (content file locked).‘” Consequently, Steam doesn’t update affected games. This is how you can fix the Steam “content file locked” error on Windows PCs.
Set Steam to Run With Admin Rights
One confirmed way to fix the Steam “content file locked” error is to set Valve’s game client to run as an administrator. Applying this troubleshooting method will enable Steam to access all folders and files it needs to. You can set Steam to run with elevated privileges:
- Right-click your desktop shortcut for Steam to select Properties and Compatibility.
- Select Run this program as an administrator by clicking on that option’s checkbox.
The Run this program as an administrator
- To save the settings you’ve selected, click Apply.
- Select OK to exit.
Clear Steam’s Cache
Many users have fixed the Steam “content file locked” error by clearing the game client’s cache. Applying that possible fix can sometimes resolve game download issues. Steam’s support page about clearing the cache provides instructions for how to apply this possible fix.
The Clear Cache option
Temporarily Disable Antivirus Software
Antivirus tools can cause the Steam “content file locked” error with their false positive flagging. To address this possible cause, try temporarily turning off the Real-time protection option in Windows Security. The Real-time protection section of this Microsoft page includes instructions for disabling that setting. Then, try updating your Steam games with the antivirus turned off.
The Real-time protection option
If you have third-party antivirus software installed, you’ll need to disable its shield. How you can disable third-party antivirus utilities can vary. However, many include context menu options for disabling their shields, which you can select by right-clicking the antivirus system tray icons.
Execute the Winsock Reset Command
Resetting Winsock has also worked for users who’ve fixed the Steam “content file locked” error on Windows PCs. Applying this possible fix can restore the Winsock Sockets catalog to a default state. These are the steps for executing the Winsock reset command:
- Activate the tool for file searching with its Windows logo + S keyboard shortcut.
- Enter cmd and right-click the Command Prompt app to select Run as administrator.
- Type netsch winsock reset into the Command Prompt and press Enter.
The netsch winsock reset command
Verify the Integrity of Affected Games
Users also confirm that verifying the integrity of affected games can sometimes resolve the Steam “content file locked” error. Steam has a Verify option you can select to repair any game’s files. To apply this possible solution, select the Verify integrity option for an affected game as covered on this Steam page.
The Verify integrity of game files option
Other Possible Ways to Fix the Steam “Content File Locked” Error
The potential resolutions covered above aren’t the only possible ways to fix the Steam “content file locked” error. If that error continues, try applying the extra potential fixes:
- Change the Steam download region on the Downloads tab to the closest one to your location.
- Erase all the files within the C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\downloading folder.
- Run a disk scan check by executing the chkdsk c: /f command.
- Sign out, restart Steam, and log back in again.
The possible fixes discussed here have resolved the Steam “content file locked” error for many players. So, there’s a good probability one of them might work on your PC as well. If not, you can always ask the Steam help service for more potential fixes from the support page for that software. Select Steam Client > Steam Client Crashes > Contact Steam Support from there to send a support ticket.
