Fix Error Content File Locked on Steam
Tags: steam, errors
Published: 2022-03-10 10:57:39

I don't know if Steam is the best video game platform, but what is evidence is that it is the most popular platform when it comes to video games. However, being the most popular video game platform does not mean that Steam is exempt from problems and errors, such as: Content File Locked.


How to fix locked content file on steam
The Steam Locked Content File error can occur when we try to update any of our video games. While updates on Steam are usually done with a single right click of the mouse and then select the update. However, this simple operation can lead to errors like the one mentioned.

As we have mentioned, the Steam Locked Content File error occurs during the process of updating video games. Specifically, the error reports the inability of Steam to access the files necessary for the update. The inability to access is usually related to the permissions granted to Steam.

However, if during the update of any of our Steam video games, we receive the error Content File Locked , we can solve it by following several steps or methods that we show you below.

Therefore, if you are a Steam user and you want to solve the Blocked Content File error, in this tutorial we will show you step by step how to do it:

How to fix Steam Locked Content File error by resetting Winsocks
Winsock is a programming interface and support program that handles input/output requests for Internet applications on the Windows operating system such as Steam. It is called Winsock because it is a Windows port of the Berkeley UNIX socket interface. Sockets is a particular convention for connecting and exchanging data between two Steam program processes within the same computer or over a network.

Winsocks can get stuck and cause Content File Locked error on Steam. In this case, what we will have to do is reset the Winsocks of your Windows 10 computer so that from that moment the problem is solved. If you don't know how to reset Windows Winsocks, we recommend reading the post at the following link: How to restore deleted keys from the Windows Registry Editor such as: Winsock and Winsock2.

Fix Steam Locked Content File error by clearing Steam download cache
Steam's download cache makes it easy and fast to access the files that are stored in the cache. However, the Cache can cause errors that can also accumulate and result in failed updates and the content file lock error.

Therefore, in order to solve the error Content File Locked we can try to clean the Steam download cache, which you can do in the following way:

Open the Steam program.

Once inside the interface you will have to go to: Steam> Parameters> Downloads

When you are here you will have to select the option: Clear download cache.

After a short period of time Steam will restart.

Check if you can now update your Steam games without receiving the error: Content File Locked

steam bug; Blocked Content File

How to fix Content File Locked issue on steam by performing a disk scan.
A disk scan checks the system for errors and fixes them if it can. Using the chkdsk c:/f command is the one that allows you to perform this verification of the system files and you can do it in the following way:

1.Open CMD as administrator .

Once here you will have to enter the following command:
chkdsk c:/f

After pressing the Enter key to execute the command, you must confirm this execution you will have to press the key: S

Now the next time the system is rebooted the tool will start to scan the disk and repair it.

Once the process is complete, you should check if the Steam Content File Locked error has been fixed.

Run Steam as administrator to avoid Content File Locked error when updating games.
Another workaround for the Steam locked content file error is to run Steam as an administrator. You can do this by simply right-clicking on the Steam icon and choosing the Run as administrator option from the context menu.

However, having to go through this process every time you want to open Steam can be a bit annoying so we can set the program to always run as managed. To do this you just have to follow the following steps:

Right click on the Steam shortcut.

When the context menu opens you will have to select the option: Properties

Now a window opens in which you have to go to the tab: Compatibility.

In this tab you will have to check the box for the option: Run this program as an administrator.

Finally, you must not forget to save the configuration by clicking on the button: OK.

Now whenever you use the Steam shortcut to open the program it will open as administrator.

Fixed Steam Error: Content File Locked; disabling the antivirus.
Sometimes the problem we are dealing with in this tutorial is caused by the antivirus installed on your computer. At downloadsource.es we recommend that you disable your antivirus during the update of Steam video games. This can prevent the error from occurring.

Delete Steam download files to fix error: Content File Locked.
Open Windows File Explorer .

Once here you will have to go to:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\downloading

Steam temporarily places download and update files in this folder. Here you will find the possible update file that is stuck or refuses to download or update. Therefore, in this folder you will have to delete such files.