SharePoint 2019 document library files checkout locked

Question

Hello,

I am currently working on SharePoint 2019 onprem version.
I see that recently the documents (PPT/Word docs) after checking out and when trying to checkin back, it is giving error that the file is in use by another user. After sometime the lock is getting released. But we cant wait for the lock to get released after sometime as it need to be checked in immediately after changes are done.

Can you please share your thoughts on this to fix this issue?

Thanks & Regards,
Usha.

Answer 1

Hi @usha jyothsna
This can normally happen when you close a document and the Office application does not release the information that the document is open for editing, just wait for a few minutes.

If this happens often, for a specific user, there could be some issues with the user’s Office application. Some things that can be tested, to force the file’s lock to be released are:

1.Logout from MetaShare/SharePoint and login again.
2.Open the document in the Online app and rename the file from there.
3.Check if “Upload Center” has locked this document. If so, you can unlock it from there.
4.Try to delete it and if it gets deleted, then restore it back from the recycle bin.
5.Check if there are any documents without a checked in version (this required you to log into the site with administrative permissions).
6.Go to: Library settings > Manage files which have no checked in version

For more information, you could refer to:
https://help.metashare.com/en/known-issues/the-file-is-checked-out-or-locked-for-editing-by-another-user/

Note: Microsoft is providing this information as a convenience to you. The sites are not controlled by Microsoft. Microsoft cannot make any representations regarding the quality, safety, or suitability of any software or information found there. Please make sure that you completely understand the risk before retrieving any suggestions from the above link.

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Answer 2

if you have admin rights you may take ownership over checkout files and then check them in: go to Doclib settings > Manage checked out file.