Open files freeze. SMB

Question

Hi. File server, Windows Server 2016, all updates.

Employees work with microsoft office files. Once a week employees contact us that their files are not opening. I see in fsmgmt.msc that the file is open in employee Billy. But on Billy's computer, the file is not open. When I force close the file on the server, fsmgmt.msc, the employees can open the file again.

This problem is old and is present in all versions of Windows Server.

Any recommendations ?

Answer 1

Hello

It seems like you're experiencing a common issue with SMB file sharing where files appear to be open on a user's computer even when they're not, preventing others from accessing them.

 

Here are some general recommendations and workarounds that might help resolve the issue:

 

Check for Open Files: Use the 'Open Files' session in the Computer Management console on the server to see if the file is indeed open by another user.

 

Close Stuck File Handles: If a file handle is stuck, you can close it using the 'Close Open File' option in the Computer Management console. However, this is more of a temporary workaround.

 

Server Configuration: Ensure that the server is properly configured for file sharing and that there are no underlying issues with the SMB protocol settings.

 

Client-Side Issues: On the client side, make sure that the network drivers are up to date and that there are no issues with the client's operating system that might be causing the problem.

 

Network Troubleshooting: Network issues can also cause files to appear open. Troubleshooting the network for any latency or connectivity issues might help.

 

Server Updates: Since you mentioned that the server is up to date, it's less likely, but sometimes certain updates can cause issues with file sharing. Reviewing recent updates or rolling back certain updates might be a consideration.

 

Antivirus Software: Sometimes antivirus software can lock files. Check the settings of any antivirus software running on the server or the client's machine.

 

Group Policies: Review any group policies related to file sharing that might be affecting the behavior of SMB file sharing.

 

Event Logs: Check the event logs on both the server and the client for any errors or warnings that might provide more insight into the issue.

Answer 2

Hello,

Do you have any other questions?

If the above reply is helpful to you, please mark it as answer, thank you very much!

Thanks.