"update failed: content file locked" Possible fixes

[HayzTee]

My issue with this is resolved after some troubleshooting.

I did many different things, however the last worked for me, I do recommend trying the first batch of solutions first before the command prompt fix for it. As some of these other fixes have also worked for others.

Firstly though:
- Check your hardrive has enough space. To do that, right click the game, and find which hardrive the installation folder is on. Then look at how much free space you have. You might need a bit more space than the update requests for, for it to download.

Now that double-checking your storage availability out of the way, here are all the troubleshooting fixes I have found thus far, alongside the final one that seemed to fix my issue.

Just because the first batch didnt work for me, doesnt mean they wont work for you.

I had tried:
- running steam on admin mode
- verifying integrity of game files (wouldn't finish the download it promoted following that)
- restarted my pc multiple times
- deleted files in my download cache folder on steam in case that was the issue.

What I did that fixed it for me was:
- open "command prompt" but running as administrator
- type: netsh winsock reset
- press enter
- restart pc
then try your download/update again!

I found all these when troubleshooting.

I would advise trying the other methods first prior to the command prompt one.
I have been told that if you do end up having to resort to this fix often it can signify an issue with your pc.
But if its just something that is needed on the rare occasion, e,g for this issue alone, its no cause of worry.

Lots of people are reporting this content file locked issue so I assume its an error or bug of sorts following the update.

Good luck! if these do not work for anyone, let me know, and I will do more troubleshooting and see if there are any other possible fixes out there for this steam issue.

Hope this helps.

[Dogstorm]

I had to restart my PC so it's working now.

[LBHIJK]

thank you this worked for BO6 :)

[WolfieWuf]

Did all these, game updated, now it crashes on booting. Verified files, re-acquired 20k files, then still crashes. This is the third MAJOR issue I have had with JUST BO6. wth even happened to games anymore...

[HayzTee]

glad it helped one of you for BO6, this post was regarding MW3 issue's id had and how i resolved mine and the steps that others said reoslved it for them.
Good to know it can sometimes assist people in BO6 as well. Just sorry to hear that Wolfie is still unable to play.

It's okay though, COD is just made by a teency tiny few man indie dev team, so they can't afford to pay for enough people to resolve these issues at all, let alone in a timely manner. We shouldn't blame them for their buggy games, it cannot be helped /s

Kinda sucks when small indie games have way less issues, yet also make far less money, and often dont include micro transactions to keep funding the game. Yet somehow, small indie dev teams often blow us away because, unlike triple A titles like, COD, they actually care about their product. And, despite them having less financial freedom to allocate to fix and resolve problems, they somehow do. Yet these guys cant pay for enough people to try to resolve big issues, or just cant be mithered to fix their games, even with 60-100 quid (gbp) for the game. Plus 25 ish quid a season pass, then all the skin micro transactions, and a booming game franchise

yet they can't resolve a damn thing. Whether they dont hire enough people to, simply are just ignoring the issues, or are delegating all resources to elsewhere... its ♥♥♥♥♥♥, The only way i'll end up with BO6 or any other COD/MW game is if a friend gifts it me. Aint spending no more of my money on these games lol

[MajorAlex15]

Holy Moly....your Command Prompt part as administrator mode and restart, then opening Steam as administrator mode worked for me...Just now..thanks bud 🗿🔥