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Issue with creating lock file?

Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2025 3:15 am
by Zxso_
Hello everyone,

This if my first post to the forum so I apologize if I am doing this incorrectly. I have attempted to search the issue, but the only related results are for running headless servers or multiple copies of the game at one time, on one system.

This is not my issue. I am running my only copy of the game. I have installed it through steam, and only have one existing install on my system. Anytime I attempt to modify my mod list - including enabling and disabling the space age DLC - my game suddenly crashes after clicking confirm and displays an error that says:
"Couldn't create lock file
C:\Users\lower\AppData\Roaming\Factorio\.lock: 32.
Is another instance already running?"
I have attached a screenshot as well.

Continuing on, I have tried a few of the fixes suggested in related posts. Running the game as administrator, modifying the installations file permissions, fresh install, no additional mods, none of these have worked. I have verified that only one instance of the game is running when this occurs. I took a peek at the log file for the most recent crash and it doesn't seem to have anything out of the ordinary. It seems to occur during the startup process after clicking confirm on the modlist. The game shuts down fine, but doesn't start a second time. When I launch again through steam, whatever I have enabled/disabled has done what it was supposed to. The log file is also attached.

It's not preventing me from playing, however it's quite annoying to deal with when dealing with a large quantity of mods. Please let me know if there is any additional information I can provide.
Any help is appreciated help.

Re: Issue with creating lock file?

Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2025 9:32 pm
by Zxso_
Well, I guess I fixed it. The .exe file from the official website works. Still wonder what the issue with steam is though.

Re: Issue with creating lock file?

Posted: Wed May 07, 2025 2:54 pm
by sarfact
Sounds like the game isn’t clearing the .lock file properly after closing. Try manually deleting AppData\Roaming\Factorio\.lock (make sure Factorio’s fully closed first). Also check if antivirus or cloud sync tools like OneDrive might be locking the file.