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Question

My own file is locked by "Box for Office for Web"

  • May 23, 2025
  • 5 replies
  • 41 views

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How do I unlock a file that says, "this file is being edited with box for office for web"? It says I'm the one who has it open, but I don't anymore. I've closed all instances of Box and restarted my computer

5 replies

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Hi there,

Welcome to the Box Community! 

This issue should be best addressed by our Product Support. I have created a ticket for you and kindly check your Inbox for updates. 

Thanks!


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Update: The solution was to clear the browser history and cookies. That should have been easy to find in a search for this error message, but it was not in FAQs or anywhere. Changing browsers also might have helped.


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I am experiencing the same issue. I am an editor for a file and keep getting the "File locked by BOX for Office for web". Can someone assist?


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Same issue happned to me...Update post here is correct...you need to clear your browser history and cookies.  Sign out of Box...wait about 5 mins and then you will be able to access your file.  What an annoying feature.  :(


  • New Member
  • December 8, 2025

Same issue. I have done everything suggested and the file is still locked. I cannot do anything with it. So I uploaded another one using a different file name. Same thing. Tried a third time, so now I have three useless files. They all say “This file is being edited with Box for office for web” and I can’t do anything with them.