HTTP Status Codes
HTTP 423 Locked
Locked
The 423 status originates from the WebDAV extension to HTTP, indicating the requested resource is currently locked against modification.
What 423 Means
The shortest useful reading of this status code.
Locked.
For locked resources, the key distinction is that access is blocked by a lock state rather than by simple absence or unsupported behavior.
Quick read
Resource currently locked
A 423 means the resource is not available for modification while a lock is active.
Technical Context
How this status behaves without turning the page into a repair guide.
Lock state
Pessimistic locking mechanisms use 423 to prevent race conditions during collaborative editing or heavy operational writes.
Write protection
Any modifying request (like PUT, POST, or DELETE) will fail with 423 until the lock is released or strictly expires.
Related HTTP Codes
Nearby HTTP status codes help clarify how 423 differs inside the same response family.
423
Locked
The 423 status originates from the WebDAV extension to HTTP, indicating the requested resource is currently locked against modification.
409
Conflict
Conflict
424
Failed Dependency
the request depends on another action that did not succeed
Common Causes
File locked by WebDAV
A WebDAV resource is reserved by a lock token or active editing session.
Database row lock in progress
A backend operation temporarily prevents competing writes to the same record.
Resource undergoing maintenance
The resource is held in a protected state while another operation is underway.
Typical Scenarios
A team member leaves a network document open, locking it.
A system process is actively writing to a file, temporarily locking external write access.
What To Know
A 423 response is a state signal rather than a simple missing-resource signal. It usually means the resource exists, but modification is blocked while a lock is active or while another operation owns the resource state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common interpretation questions about HTTP 423.
It usually means another application, user, or system process currently holds a lock on the file, record, or resource being modified.