Resolving Access database error “File Already in Use”

Many users have reported encountering the Access database error ‘file already in use’ when opening a database on a network file share or stored on a server. The error message appears as:

The error may also occur when modifying the database’s folder.

Let’s discuss the reasons that may lead to such an error and the solutions to resolve it.

Causes of Access Database Error “file already in use”

The error ‘file already in use’ usually occurs when you do not have create permission for the folder in which the file is stored. However, there are various other reasons that could trigger this error, such as:

• Corrupted database
• When trying to access the database from an incorrect path
• Trying to modify the database that is already open
• If the Microsoft jet database can’t create the locking information file
• Missing or corrupt lock files

Methods to Fix Access Database Error ‘file already in use”

Below are some methods that can help you resolve the “file already in use” error in MS Access.

Method 1: Check and Provide Desired Permissions

The “file already in use” error can occur when you do not have permissions to modify the folder in which the database file is located. So, make sure you have the read, write, and create permissions for the folder where the database is stored. To check and provide permissions, follow these steps:

• Go to Program Files and search for the desired folder.
• Right-click on the folder and select Properties.

• Click Security Tab > Advanced.

• In the Advanced Settings window, click on Change Permissions.

• Select Administrators > Edit.
• Change the Apply to drop-down to This Folder, Subfolder, and Files.
• Select the Full Control box below the Allow column button.
• Click OK > Apply.

Method 2: Download Microsoft Office Updates

Some users have reported encountering the error ‘Could not use the path to the database.accdb; file already in use’ after downloading the MS Office updates, specifically for Office 2013 and Office 2016. However, Microsoft released other updates to fix the issues. To download the updates specific to your Office version, refer to this Microsoft Guide.

Method 3: Check the Path of the Database

The “file already in use” error in MS Access can also occur if the path to the database.accdb file is incorrect. Make sure you’re opening the database using the standard UNC path. You can see the default path of the database using the following steps:

• Go to File > Options.
• In the Access Options window, check the path next to the Default database folder option.

Method 4: Close all Opened Access Files

You may also encounter the “file already in use” error if multiple Access database files are open. You can just close all the Access database files using the below steps:

• Place your cursor on the Taskbar and right-click on it.
• Click on Close all Windows.

Method 5: Repair Corrupt Access Database

There are chances that the Access database file is corrupt. If the database is corrupt, you may encounter various errors, including the file already in use error. In this case, you can use the Microsoft inbuilt utility – Compact and Repair to repair the corrupt database. To run this tool, follow the below steps:

• Open the Microsoft Access application.
• Double-click on Blank desktop database.

• Go to File > Close.
• On the Blank Database window, click File.
• Click Compact and Repair database, under Database Tools.

• Choose the database you need to Compact and Repair and click on Compact.

• Once the process is complete, a compacted and repaired copy of the Access database will be saved at the actual location where your database is stored.

If the Compact and Repair utility fails to fix the corrupted database, then you can use a professional Access repair tool, such as Stellar Repair for Access. It is an advanced tool to repair corrupt MDB and ACCDB files. It recovers all the database objects, like forms, macros, tables, deleted records, modules, etc. The software allows you to preview the recoverable data before saving it. It is compatible with database files of MS Access 2019, 2016, 2013, and earlier versions.

Closure

The Access database error “file already in use” can occur due to numerous reasons. You can follow the above-mentioned methods to fix the issue. If the error is occurred due to corruption in the database file, then you can use the Compact and Repair utility in MS Access to repair the file. If it fails, you can use a professional Access repair software, like Stellar Repair for Access. It can easily repair severely corrupted Access database files and retrieve all the data with 100% integrity.

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About The Author

Priyanka Chauhan

Priyanka is a technology expert working for key technology domains that revolve around Data Recovery and related software's. She got expertise on related subjects like SQL Database, Access Database, QuickBooks, and Microsoft Excel. Loves to write on different technology and data recovery subjects on regular basis. Technology freak who always found exploring neo-tech subjects, when not writing, research is something that keeps her going in life.