How to Fix Destiny 2 Content File Locked Error

If you're a Destiny 2 player, you may encounter an error message that says "Content File Locked" while trying to launch the game. This error can occur due to various reasons, including network connectivity issues, corrupted game files, or antivirus software blocking the game's access. However, you can resolve this error by following some simple methods mentioned below.

1. Reset Winsock

Winsock is a programming interface that helps Windows applications communicate with network services. If the Winsock is corrupted, it can cause network-related errors, including the "Content File Locked" error. Therefore, resetting Winsock can help fix the issue. Here's how to do it:

1. Press the Windows logo key and R key simultaneously on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type "netsh winsock reset" in the Run box and press Enter.
3. A message will appear that says, "Successfully reset the Winsock Catalog. You must restart the computer to complete the reset."
4. Restart your PC and try launching Destiny 2 again.

2. Verify Game Files

Another reason for the "Content File Locked" error could be corrupted or missing game files. To verify the game files and fix the issue, follow these steps:

1. Disable your antivirus software temporarily, including Eset, AVG, Avast, Avira, and Kaspersky.
2. Open Steam and go to your game library.
3. Right-click on Destiny 2 and select "Properties" from the dropdown menu.
4. In the Properties window, click on the "LOCAL FILES" tab.
5. Click on the "VERIFY INTEGRITY OF GAME FILES" button.
6. Steam will check for any corrupted or missing game files and will download them automatically.
7. Once the verification process is complete, try launching Destiny 2 again.

3. Check Game Files Location

If the game files are not in the correct location, it can cause the "Content File Locked" error. Here's how to check and fix it:

1. Open Steam and go to your game library.
2. Right-click on Destiny 2 and select "Properties" from the dropdown menu.
3. In the Properties window, click on the "LOCAL FILES" tab.
4. Click on the "BROWSE LOCAL FILES" button.
5. Check if the game files are in the correct location. They should be in the "steamapps\common\Destiny 2" folder.
6. If the files are not in the correct location, move them to the correct folder.
7. Restart Steam and try launching Destiny 2 again.

4. Run Steam as Administrator

Running Steam as an administrator can give it full permissions to access and modify game files, which can help fix the "Content File Locked" error. Here's how to do it:

1. Close Steam and all its processes.
2. Right-click on the Steam shortcut on your desktop and select "Properties" from the dropdown menu.
3. In the Properties window, go to the "COMPATIBILITY" tab.
4. Check the box that says, "Run this program as an administrator" and click on "Apply" and "OK".
5. Restart Steam and try launching Destiny 2 again.

5. Disable Overlay Programs

Overlay programs such as Discord, Nvidia Shadowplay, or AMD ReLive can interfere with the game's performance and cause errors like "Content File Locked". Here's how to disable them:

1. Close all overlay programs running on your computer.
2. Open Steam and go to your game library.
3. Right-click on Destiny 2 and select "Properties" from the dropdown menu.
4. In the Properties window, click on the "GENERAL" tab.
5. Check the box that says, "DISABLE STEAM OVERLAY WHILE IN-GAME" and click on "OK".
6. Launch Destiny 2 and see if the error is fixed.

6. Run Steam and Destiny 2 in Compatibility Mode

If you're running an older version of Windows, running Steam and Destiny 2 in compatibility mode can help fix the "Content File Locked" error. Here's how to do it:

1. Right-click on the Steam shortcut on your desktop and select "Properties" from the dropdown menu.
2. In the Properties window, go to the "COMPATIBILITY" tab.
3. Check the box that says, "Run this program in compatibility mode for" and select your Windows version from the dropdown menu.
4. Click on "Apply" and "OK".
5. Repeat the same process for the Destiny 2 shortcut on your desktop.
6. Launch Steam and then launch Destiny 2 from the Steam library.
7. See if the error is fixed.

7. Reinstall Destiny 2

If none of the above methods work, you may need to reinstall Destiny 2 to fix the "Content File Locked" error. Here's how to do it:

1. Open Steam and go to your game library.
2. Right-click on Destiny 2 and select "Uninstall" from the dropdown menu.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall the game.
4. Once the game is uninstalled, restart your PC.
5. Open Steam and go to your game library.
6. Search for Destiny 2 and click on the "Install" button.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the game.
8. Launch Destiny 2 and see if the error is fixed.

In conclusion, the "Content File Locked" error in Destiny 2 can be caused by various reasons, including corrupted game files, network issues, or antivirus software. However, you can fix it by resetting Winsock, verifying game files, checking the game files location, running Steam as administrator, disabling overlay programs, running Steam and Destiny 2 in compatibility mode, or reinstalling the game. Try these methods one by one, and hopefully, one of them will fix the error and let you enjoy the game without any problem.