Fix Error the file cannot be accessed by the system (1920)

Sharing files over a network has made lives easier for many, however it is not bug free. A known error users get while trying to access shared files is:

Error the file cannot be accessed by the system (1920)

This error occurs with files shared over a network, files shared through OneDrive, other shared files, and even local files.

Causes

The causes behind this issue could be many. Listing a few of them as follows:

1] Virus or malware in the system

2] Corrupt files in the system

3] Issues with Windows update

4] The file structure in Windows explorer might be corrupt

5] The OneDrive folder in the system is corrupt

Preliminary steps

1] Update Windows: Since one of the reasons behind the issue is files having gone corrupt due to a Windows update. Later Microsoft would launch the fix to the problem in form of another Windows update.

2] Scan the system for virus or malware.

Then proceed with the following troubleshooting:

1} SFC scan

2} Perform CHKDSK

3} Check for Data duplication by server admin

4} Resync OneDrive

Solution 1] SFC scan

An SFC scan helps check the system for missing or corrupt files and replaces them if possible. The procedure for the same is as follows:

1] Search for Command Prompt in the Windows search bar. Right-click on the icon and select Run as administrator.

2] Type the following command and press Enter to execute it:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

 

 

3] Then type the following command and press Enter to run the SFC scan:

sfc /scannow

 

 

4] Restart the system one the command has executed.

 

Solution 2] Perform CHKDSK

The CHKDSK command helps check bad sectors in the hard drive and repair them if possible.

1] Open elevated Command Prompt as suggested in Solution 1.

2] Type the following command and press Enter to execute it:

CHKDSK /r /f

 

 

3] The CHKDSK scan would run when you restart the system.

 

Solution 3] Check for Data duplication by server admin

In case the shared files are being managed by a server, the server admin needs to check for data duplication and resolve the issue accordingly. More details on Data duplication in servers could be checked here.

Solution 4] Resync OneDrive

If the issue is with OneDrive files and folders, we might consider resyncing OneDrive. Here’s the procedure to do so:

1] Right-click on the OneDrive icon at the right-bottom corner of the desktop screen. Select Settings.

2] Click on Unlink this PC.

 

3] Now open File Explorer and navigate to the OneDrive folder.

4] Select all the files and folders in the OneDrive folder and delete them.

 

5] Restart the system and log in to OneDrive again. Let it sync all the files again.

If the issue is with a specific file, check if it’s working fine with OneDrive online.