How to Fix Steam Content File Locked Error

The “Steam Content File Locked” error is a common issue that prevents Steam from updating games. This error typically occurs when Steam is unable to write to your hard drive due to permission issues, antivirus interference, or corrupted files. If you are also facing this issue, then worry not. Fortunately, there are several fixes you can try to resolve this error quickly.

Recommended Fix

Before trying anything else, end Steam.exe through Task Manager and then run Steam as an administrator.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. In the Processes tab, find Steam.exe.
3. Right-click on Steam.exe and select End Task.
4. Restart Steam and check if the issue is resolved.

If the issue persists, proceed with the following solutions.

Fix #1: Exclude Steam Files from Antivirus

One of the most common reasons for this error is interference from your antivirus software or Windows Defender. Your antivirus might mistakenly flag Steam or game files as malicious and block updates. To fix this:

1. Open Virus & threat protection from the Start menu.
2. Click Manage settings under “Virus & threat protection settings.”
3. Scroll down to “Exclusions” and click Add or remove exclusions.
4. Click Add an exclusion and select Folder.
5. Locate and select Steam’s installation folder.
6. Confirm and restart Steam.

Fix #2: Grant Full Control to Steam

If Steam does not have the necessary permissions to modify files, this can lead to the content file locked error. To grant full control:

1. Right-click on the Steam folder and select Properties.
2. Navigate to the Security tab and click Edit.
3. Under “Group or user names,” select your account.
4. Check Full Control under “Allow.”
5. Click Apply and then OK.
6. Restart Steam and try updating your game again.

Fix #3: Run Steam as Administrator

If Steam lacks administrative rights, it might not be able to update game files properly. To run Steam as an administrator:

1. Right-click on Steam.exe.
2. Select Properties and navigate to the Compatibility tab.
3. Check the box that says Run this program as an administrator.
4. Click Apply and OK.
5. Restart Steam and try updating your game.

Fix #4: Reset Winsock

If the issue is related to network settings, resetting the Winsock catalog might help:

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type netsh winsock reset and press Enter.
3. A command prompt will briefly appear.
4. Restart your PC and launch Steam again.

Fix #5: Verify Integrity of Game Files

Corrupted game files can trigger the content file locked error. You can fix this by verifying the game files in Steam:

1. Open Steam and go to your Library.
2. Right-click on the game that won’t update and select Properties.
3. Go to the Installed Files tab.
4. Click Verify integrity of game files.
5. Wait for the process to complete and restart Steam.

Fix #6: Relocate Game Files

If the error persists, you can try relocating your game files to another drive:

1. Open Steam and go to Settings > Downloads.
2. Click Steam Library Folders and select Add Library Folder.
3. Choose a new location for your games.
4. Exit Steam and navigate to your Steam installation folder.
5. Copy Steam.exe, SteamApps, and UserData folders.
6. Paste them into the new Steam library folder.
7. Run Steam.exe from the new location and log in.

Conclusion

By following the above fixes, you should be able to resolve the “Steam Content File Locked” error and successfully update your games. If none of these solutions work, consider reinstalling Steam as a last resort. Let us know which fix worked for you!