Error in Access when opening a database on a network file share

Applies To
Access for Microsoft 365 Access 2021 Access 2019 Access 2016

Last Updated: February 11, 2022

ISSUE

When opening a database on a network file share, or with links to another database on a network file share, you may receive one of these errors:

  • Could not use ‘path to database.accdb’; file already in use. Could not use path to database.accdb; file already in use.
  • Could not lock file
    Error message: could not lock file.

STATUS: FIXED FOR THE FOLLOWING BUILDS

The following table indicates the KB update or Version/build that first introduced the issue along with each of the two fixes released to address this issue.

  • Standard UNC paths – This fix corrects the issue when using a standard UNC path (\\Server2\Share\Test\Database.accdb where the Database.accdb is a file in the Test directory of the \\Server2\Share volume)
  • All remaining network paths – This fix corrects the issue for all other network paths, such as: DFS Namespaces, Short file names, and Mapped drives.

Note

These updates are cumulative, so updating to the latest update will include the fix for standard UNC paths.

Office Product Issue introduced Resolved for standard UNC paths Resolved for remaining network paths
Office 2013 KB 5002104 KB 2965317
KB 5002124
KB 5002151
Office 2016 KB 5002099 KB 4484211
KB 5002115
KB 5002138
Office LTSC 2019 Version 1808, build 10381.20020 Version 1808, build 10382.20010 Version 1808, build 10382.20034
Office LTSC 2021 Version 2108, build 14332.20204 Version 2108, build 14332.20216 Version 2108, build 14332.20216
Office 2016 C2R Version 2111, build 14701.20248 Version 2111, build 14701.20262 Version 2112, build 14729.20248
Office 2019 Consumer Version 2111, build 14701.20248 Version 2111, build 14701.20262 Version 2112, build 14729.20248
Office 2021 Consumer Version 2111, build 14701.20248 Version 2111, build 14701.20262 Version 2112, build 14729.20248
Microsoft 365 Apps Current Channel Version 2111, build 14701.20248 Version 2111, build 14701.20262 Version 2112, build 14729.20248
Microsoft 365 Apps Monthly Enterprise Channel Version 2110, build 14527.20340
Version 2109, build 14430.20380
Version 2110, build 14527.20344
Version 2109, build 14430.20386
Version 2111, build 14701.20290
Version 2110, build 14527.20364
Microsoft 365 Apps Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel (Preview) Version 2108, build 14326.20692 Version 2108, build 14326.20702 Version 2108, build 14326.20738
Microsoft 365 Apps Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel Version 2102, build 13801.21086 Version 2102, build 13801.21092 Version 2102, build 13801.21156
Microsoft 365 Apps Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel Extended Version 2008, build 13127.21842 Version 2008, build 13127.21846 Version 2008, build 13127.21886

The fix may not be applied automatically. To apply the fix, install the latest updates by following the instructions here: Install Office updates

Note

Office must be updated on all machines running Access that have the impacted versions.

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See Also

Fixes or workarounds for recent issues in Access

December 29, 2021, update for Office 2013 (KB2965317)

Databases on network share can't be accessed by multiple users in Office 2016 (KB4484211)

Description of the security update for Office 2013: January 11, 2022 (KB5002124)

Description of the security update for Office 2016: January 11, 2022 (KB5002115)

Description of the security update for Office 2013: December 14, 2021 (KB5002104)

Description of the security update for Office 2016: December 14, 2021 (KB5002099)