Once you have secured a Steam key, you will need to activate it in order to play the game. If you don’t activate your key, it will remain inactive. And you won’t be able to play the game. This can easily happen if you don’t move on to the next steps.
Steam has become one of the most popular games platforms on the internet. Millions of people have a Steam account and play thousands of games every day. Steam is a secure platform that works well for the vast majority of users. However, occasionally even the most experienced users will encounter issues with their Steam account. Whether it is a problem with the Steam client software or the game files themselves, there are ways to fix it. (With thanks to Lewis for the idea)
steam content file locked (working methods)
If your computer is displaying the Content file locked Steam error as a result of an antivirus program, a steam attempt to update, or a launcher problem, continue reading to learn how to fix Steam Content File Locked.
Steam is the world’s most popular gaming platform for PC users. Steam provides games with a number of critical features that are required for a great gaming experience. If you’ve been using Steam for a while, you should know that it protects local games on your hard drive as well as changes to these game files during upgrades. Steam has a decent consuming time to the work, and it also demands a large number of data to consuming task data. The Steam Content File Locked problem is widespread.
Error Preview: Steam Content File Locked
While upgrading the desired game, a “Steam Content File Locked” issue arises. Windows puts the game file in a closed state once you open it from another app or procedure, and you can’t remove it or move it. When updating the game, there’s a good chance you’ll get the “Steam Content File Locked” issue. However, using practical ways, you can easily resolve the Steam issue.
Let’s move on to the highly effective solutions for resolving the “Steam Content File Locked” Error.
This article contains the following content:
Steam Content File Locked Error Causes:
The locking of Steam content files can be caused by a variety of factors. The following are some of the most common causes.
- When your anti-virus software is causing the Steam app to malfunction.
- When your device’s files are corrupted.
- While working on the game’s title
- During the installation of the game,
- The location of Steam and game files has been modified.
- When it comes to moving Steam and game data around,
How to Resolve the Error “Steam Content File Locked”
Antivirus software should be used.
Many excellent Antivirus troubleshooting options are available to assist you in resolving the “Steam Content File Locked” error.
NOD32 by ESET:
- NOD32 will cease working when you upgrade any Steam program or game, and your machine will display the “Steam Content File Locked” error message.
- To resolve this issue, go to your PC’s Steam directory and open it.
- Choose “Steam directory by default,” which is usually C:Program Files Steam SteamApps.
- Then you must copy this address and open Steam, where you must paste the address from real-time scanning.
NOD32 Security System by ESET
- Now restart your computer, and your error will be resolved automatically.
McAfee Antivirus is an antivirus program developed by McAfee. is an antivirus program developed by McAfee.
- The first step is to uninstall or remove the antivirus software completely.
- Then you must update your Steam application.
- Now, on your device, open Mcafee Antivirus.
- Then select the security option for bugs and spyware.
- Close the real-time scanning after that. Then you should update your Steam App.
McAfee Antivirus
- Finally, you must verify the game cache and files’ dependability.
Kaspersky Anti-Virus:
- To begin, you must first enter Kaspersky’s settings.
- Then, in the “Threads and Exclusions” section, select the “Trusted zone” option.
- Then, as a trusted app, add the “Steam.exe” setup file.
- After that, change the settings to “Do Not Allow App Activity” and check the box for “Do not scan opened files.”
Kaspersky’s options
- Lastly, confirm the reliability of the game cache & files & then restart the computer.
Winsock Directory Reset (WD)
- You must type “cmd” into the search box, then press the right tab on “Command Prompt” and select the “Run as an administratoristrator” option.
- Mention the following command in the next window: Netsh Winsock reset, and then click the “Enter” tab.
- After the command has completed, you will receive confirmation that the Winsock Directory has been successfully reset.
Winsock Directory Reset
- Now restart your computer, and the Steam Content File Locked error should be resolved immediately.
Corrupted Files Can Be Found and Repaired
- You must first exit Steam and then navigate to your Steam directory.
- You can also redirect to a page designated for the installation as a “Custom Location.”
- Open the ‘txt’ file in the ‘logs’ folder.
- Then look for the most recent errors.
- Now, navigate to the mod’s root file.
Corrupted Files Can Be Found and Repaired
- Reopen the Steam app and navigate to the download folder.
- You will be prompted to upgrade the game. Follow the instructions and make any necessary changes to the files.
Change the location of Steam’s installation and the game files
- Go to the “Settings” tab after finding your “Steam client” option.
- Select “Downloads” and then “Steam Library Folders” from the drop-down menu.
- On the next box, click “Add Library Folders” and select the most recent location to install the Steam software.
- After this stage, you’ll have the foundation for all subsequent setups to be placed in the chosen folder.
- Then you must exit the “Steam client” choice on the following window.
Changes in Location and Game Files
- Discover your most recent Steam location. Then, except for “SteamApps and UserData Folder,” remove all folders and superfluous files.
- Finally, enter “Steam” and log in with your credentials once more.
Run Steam as an administrator.
- First of all, turn off the Steam app if it is working in the background. Then, you have to open the “task manager” by hitting the Ctrl+Shift+Esc> More Details tab.
- Following that, you’ll notice that all of the procedures are running in the background. Then, in the methods catalog, look for “Steam Client Bootstrapper.”
- Then, on the facility’s right tab, select the “End Task” option.
- Carry out the same steps for any additional Steam procedures that are running in the background (Steam Client WebHelper, and Steam Client Service).
- Now look for the Steam installation directory. This is usually C:Program Files (x86)Steam.
- You can look for the Steam.exe file in the setup folder. Select the “Steam launcher” option and then “Properties.”
- Now, under Steam Launcher Properties, go to the “Compatibility” area.
- You’ll now see a checkbox that says, “Run this software as an administrator.” Then, once you’ve ticked the box, press the “Apply” button.
Run as Admin
- Now, from the Steam.exe launcher, open the Steam program, and then download the update.
- Because to administrative laws, the “Steam Content File Locked” problem will be resolved.
Steam Download Cache should be cleared.
The cache is a memory that caches previously executed functions for quick access, and the steam Download cache works similarly. However, errors can collect within the cache, resulting in failed updates and content file Locked errors. This error can be fixed by cleaning the steam cache, which can be done by following the steps below.
Open steam, then click steam>Settings>Downloads and click Clear Download cache. Steam takes few minutes of time to complete, by clearing the cache you need to restart steam, this method can fix the steam errors.
Steam Download Cache should be cleared.
Run a Disk Scan to see what’s on your hard drive.
A disk scan examines your system for problems and corrects them if the disk is capable of doing so. To access the command prompt, type cmd into the search box, then right-click the Start menu and choose Run as administrator. If you don’t have administrator privileges, the procedure won’t operate.
Run a Disk Scan to see what’s on your hard drive.
Type chkdsk c:/f and hit enter after opening the command prompt. Then you’ll type Y to confirm the appointment. After scheduling, you must restart your computer before performing the test. The scanning procedure will begin scanning your system. When the disk scans are complete, your system will function normally, indicating that the error has been rectified.
Remove the downloaded files from your computer.
The most common cause of seam errors is that the game has started to update or that there are antivirus concerns. Steam can generate content file locked problems if duplicate or incorrect files are downloaded while steam is running. To get rid of such files, follow the steps below.
Open C: > Program File(x86) > Steam > steam apps > downloading. If a file is stopped or opposes to download or update, delete those from this folder and then try to update it once more, Steam can update successfully.
Final Thoughts:
The strategies listed above will assist you in resolving the Steam Content File Locked problem. If the first option fails to resolve your problem, move on to the next. After you’ve tried the aforementioned methods, please let us know if you still have an issue by leaving a comment below. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible with an answer to your query about the “Steam Content File Locked” error. So, keep an eye on our website.
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My name is Pardhu, and I’d like to introduce myself. At OMGeeky, I work as an Editor and Author. Actually, I am a techie who is constantly eager to share tech-related information with my users. Apart from that, I enjoy traveling, I enjoy sports, I am a good listener, I am a team player, a photographer, I am a graduate, and I enjoy hill hiking.
Steam is a popular gaming service, and many users regularly run into issues relating to most popular games, such as Steam games not working, streaming games not working or getting a “content file locked” message. Some users have instead run into issues with games being inaccessible on their system without a working knowledge on how to fix Steam content file locked.. Read more about how to fix content file locked on steam and let us know what you think.
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If you are experiencing issues with your steam content, please try the following steps to fix it.
1) Delete all of the files in your Steam folder that start with steamapps and common.
2) Download a new copy of Steam from their website.
3) Reinstall any games or software that were installed before deleting the files.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Why does steam Say content file locked?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”
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If you are experiencing a game that is stuck at 100%, please try the following steps:
1. Close Steam completely and restart your computer.
2. Open Steam again, but this time open the Library tab in the top left corner of the screen.
3. Right click on the game in question and select Properties.
4. In the Properties window, go to Local Files and click on Verify Integrity of Game Cache.”}}]}
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I fix steam content locked files?
If you are experiencing issues with your steam content, please try the following steps to fix it. 1) Delete all of the files in your Steam folder that start with steamapps and common. 2) Download a new copy of Steam from their website. 3) Reinstall any games or software that were installed before deleting the files.
Why does steam Say content file locked?
This is a message that appears when the game files are locked. This usually happens when you try to launch the game and it says content file locked.
Why is my Steam game stuck at 100?
If you are experiencing a game that is stuck at 100%, please try the following steps: 1. Close Steam completely and restart your computer. 2. Open Steam again, but this time open the Library tab in the top left corner of the screen. 3. Right click on the game in question and select Properties. 4. In the Properties window, go to Local Files and click on Verify Integrity of Game Cache.
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