Often PC gamers get ” Steam Content File Locked” error while updating games on Steam. This is a simple issue of Steam being unable to write on HDD and here are the fixes that will help you.
This error can pop up due to Steam not having administrative rights, ant-virus software falsely detecting Steam as Trojan among many. The following are the fixes for the “An error occurred while updating (Content file locked)” error.
Fix For Steam Content File Locked Issue
Fix #1
As I mentioned above, one reason for Steam Content File Locked error is your anti-virus software or Windows Defender. The anti-virus might have quarantined Steam or the game’s folder by falsely detecting it as a Trojan. Make an exception for Steam’s install folder in your anti-virus or Windows Defender and the issue will be resolved.
If you don’t know how to exclude a file or folder in Windows Defender then follow the steps below.
- Click on Start menu and type “Virus & threat Protection” and open it.
- Click “Manage Settings” under Virus & threat protection settings.
- Click “Add or Remove Exclusions” under Exclusions.
- Click on “Add an exclusion” and select Folder.
- Browse and select the Steam’s install folder and press yes when prompted.
Fix # 2
The second fix for the Steam Content File locked is quite simple. Right-click on the Steam’s folder > properties > Security tab > Edit. Check “Fullcontrol” under Allow and apply the changes. Start the update the game issue should be resolved.
Fix #3
Another reason for this particular Steam error could be the lack of administrative rights. Right-click on Steam’s exe > Properties > Compatibility tab. Check “Run this program as an administrator” and apply the changes. Now start the update and it should be working fine.
Fix #4
Winsock is another reason for Steam to not being able to update the game. This can easily be resolved by just resetting the Winsock catalog.
Press “Win + R”, type “netsh winsock reset” and press enter. CMD will pop up briefly, restart your PC and the update should be working fine.
Fix #5
Corrupt video game files might be the culprit behind the error. You can simply repair the corrupt files and the issue will be resolved.
Just verify game files, and if the files are corrupted then Steam will itself download and replace the corrupted files.
FiX #6
If the Steam Content File locked error still persists then you can try relocating game files or the Steam folder itself. Open Steam and go to settings > downloads > Steam Library Folders.
Click on “add library” and select the path where you want to relocate Steam. Now when you install any new game, it’ll install in the newly selected path. It’s time to move the already installed games.
Exit Steam and go to the Steam folder. Copy Steam.exe, SteamApps, and UserData folders and paste them in the newly selected path for games. Double-click on the Steam.exe and log-in.
That is all for our fixes for Steam content file locked error. Also, see our High CPU Usage Fix.
