[GNC] Could not obtain lock

[Liz]

On Sun, 2 Feb 2025 14:04:56 -0600
Chris Kottlowski <chris.kottlowski at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hello
> 
> For the 2nd time in a month, i'm getting the message "GnuCash could
> not obtain the lock for the company name file .gnucash.
> 
> The database may be in use by another user, which it isn't.
> 
> I open the folder and try to select/import the Kottlowski &
> Kompany.gnucash. This is where my complete set of books are and i
> don't want to have to recreate.
> 
> I need some serious help please.
> 
> thanks
> Chris

Alas, this is a very common problem for newish users. This mailing list
mentions this same problem frequently.

The most likely cause is that you have shutdown your computer with
Gnucash still open.

There is no need for any panic. Nothing has happened to your data.
https://wiki.gnucash.org/wiki/FAQ#Q:_GnuCash_says_that_it_can.27t_obtain_the_lock_for_my_file._What_should_I_do.3F

explains every possibility.

Just open your file from within Gnucash, and choose open anyway. You
have already said no one else is using the file.

Next time you email this list, please add your OS and version of
Gnucash.

Liz