# Can't write to ripped files **URL:** \ **Category:** Support\ **Created:** [December 31, 2017, 7:18pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/cant-write-to-ripped-files/19646 "2017-12-31T19:18:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![wdmarsh](https://community.mp3tag.de/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/w/e56c9b/32.png) [@wdmarsh](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/wdmarsh)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 7:18pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/cant-write-to-ripped-files/19646/1 "2017-12-31T19:18:34Z")
After ripping tracks from a CD (standard .MP3 format), I try to write tags to make the album/artist/etc. data consistent across all tracks and add a cover photo before uploading the tracks to my Amazon Music account. Lately I have been getting error messages telling me some or all of the newly ripped tracks can't be opened for writing. Even after closing the tool I use for ripping, Windows Explorer, the Amazon Music app - basically ALL open programs, including Mp3tag - I continue to get this error (see attachment). The only way I can resolve this is to reboot my laptop, and even then I occasionally still get the error. Any idea why this is happening? ![](https://community.mp3tag.de/uploads/default/original/2X/8/8026296ddb211ee7c9cfbcd6110d160ba40e1a6f.png) ---
**Author:** ![stevehero](https://community.mp3tag.de/user_avatar/community.mp3tag.de/stevehero/32/337_2.png) [@stevehero](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/stevehero)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 7:27pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/cant-write-to-ripped-files/19646/2 "2017-12-31T19:27:33Z")
Check what program handle is locking the file to see if it's still in use by some background program. This link shows how to delete a locked file but for your purpose you can use it for checking which app has it still opened / locked. [https://m.windowscentral.com/how-delete-loc...iles-windows-10](https://m.windowscentral.com/how-delete-locked-files-windows-10) You can then stop the process in the services section where you bring up the task manager next time instead of closing everything. **Edit** This is the 32 or 64 bit app I use to unlock only or unlock and delete files. [https://lockhunter.com](https://lockhunter.com) ---
**Author:** ![ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/user_avatar/community.mp3tag.de/ohrenkino/32/4843_2.png) [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 12:44pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/cant-write-to-ripped-files/19646/3 "2018-01-01T12:44:07Z")
it could also be that the total length of the filename is more than 254 characters. By total I mean all the characters including the drive, all foldernames and separators. ---
**Author:** ![RETierney](https://community.mp3tag.de/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/7ab992/32.png) [@RETierney](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/RETierney)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2018, 7:37pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/cant-write-to-ripped-files/19646/4 "2018-04-02T19:37:36Z")
wdmarsh, are you, or anyone else, still having this problem? ---
**Author:** ![system](https://community.mp3tag.de/uploads/default/original/2X/c/ce7035d426cb755a7916793326d23b465222a407.png) [@system](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/system)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2026, 12:27pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/cant-write-to-ripped-files/19646/5 "2026-02-09T12:27:09Z")