How to fix ERROR_LOCK_VIOLATION

Description

The process cannot access the file because another process has locked a portion of the file.

Causes

  • File In Use: The file is being used by another process or application.
  • Concurrent Access: Multiple processes try accessing the file simultaneously.
  • File Locking: The file is locked by another application, preventing access.
  • Network File Restrictions: Network-shared files may have restrictions or conflicts with multiple users accessing them.

Solutions

TeraCopy 4.x

Restart TeraCopy with administrator privileges and enable the “Use Volume Shadow Copy Service” option.

Close Conflicting Applications

Ensure that no other applications or processes are using the file. Check Task Manager or use resource monitoring tools to identify and close any applications that might have the file open.

Use File Access Utilities

Use utilities such as Process Explorer or Handle from Sysinternals to identify and close handles to the file that might be causing the sharing violation. These tools can help pinpoint which process is holding the lock.

Check Network Share Settings

If the file is on a network share, ensure that the network share settings allow multiple users to access the file concurrently. Adjust permissions and sharing settings as needed.

Disable Antivirus Scanning

Temporarily disable antivirus or endpoint protection software that might be scanning the file and causing the sharing violation. If this resolves the issue, consider adding the file or directory to the antivirus exclusion list.

Reboot the System

Sometimes, a system reboot can release file locks and resolve sharing violations. If other solutions fail, restart the system to clear any persistent locks or conflicts.