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People get this error upon two occasions: [1] Error 0x80070079: The semaphore timeout period has expired; [2] Location is not accessible. The semaphore timeout period has expired. To resolve the 'semaphore' related problems in Windows 10/8.1/8/7, this ultimate guide is going to help you without an effort. Try to protect data from the semaphore error with EaseUS data backup and data recovery software.
This article provides three solutions to this problem that 'The semaphore timeout period has expired'. The table below gives an outline. Read the content for details.
Workable Solutions | Step-by-step Troubleshooting |
---|---|
Fix 1. Disable firewalls and anti-virus | In Windows 10/8.1/8/7, press "Windows + R" keys to bring up the "Run" box, input control to open...Full steps |
Fix 2. Perform a clean boot | Press "Windows + R" hotkeys to bring up the "Run" box, input msconfig to open System Configuration...Full steps |
Fix 3. Convert FAT32 to NTFS | You can convert FAT32 to NTFS to break the file size limit. The file system conversion is very simple...Full steps |
What's the 'semaphore timeout period has expired' error
'The semaphore timeout period has expired' error occurs in many situations in different forms in Windows 10, 8 or 7, and the most commonly seen ones are in the following.
[1] When you're trying to transfer or copy large files over a network, you got the full error message as "Error 0x80070079: The semaphore timeout period has expired"
[2] You're attempting to open a portable drive, for example, an external USB hard drive that is correctly connected to a computer, the access failed due to the error "Location is not accessible, the semaphore timeout period has expired."
People might get the kind of system error when they try to transfer files, particularly large files, between their Windows system and any other external device, or when they try to access a certain driver connected to their computer. This error will prevent people from accessing the current drive or completing the transfer process. In conclusion, the 'semaphore' related problem is arousing within the local network, between the computer and an external driver or simply the file transfer limit on your portable drive.
Fix 'The semaphore timeout period has expired'
Since it's about the network driver, external driver or file transfer limit associated problem, the corresponding fixes should be the four. By listing from simple to complex, they are:
- Disable Firewalls and anti-virus software (Temporarily)
- Perform a clean boot
- Convert FAT32 to NTFS
- Update drivers of network adapters
Fix 1. Disable Firewalls and anti-virus software
Reason: Windows Firewall or anti-virus software sometimes blocks a certain file transfer without a prompt, by disabling the security protection would resume your actions.
Step 1: In Windows 10/8.1/8/7, press "Windows + R" hotkeys to bring up the "Run" box, input control to open Control Panel.
Step 2: In the Control Panel, type firewall in the search, and click the "Windows Firewall" in the results.
Step 3: On the left pane, click "Turn Windows Firewall on or off".
Step 4: Click "Turn off Windows firewall (not recommended)" under both private and public network settings. Click "OK".
This is the overall guide for all Windows users to disable Windows firewall that blocks the file transfer process and sends the semaphore error. After turning off the firewall, retry copying files. If the error's gone, you can go back to turn on the firewall again.
For anti-virus software, people are using different products, but the process is merely the same by going to Settings, and there is the option to turn off the protection mechanism.
Fix 2. Perform a clean boot
Reason: Exclude the file or program confliction that causes 'the semaphore timeout period has expired'.
Step 1: In Windows 10/8.1/8/7, press "Windows + R" hotkeys to bring up the "Run" box, input msconfig to open System Configuration.
Step 2: Switch from the default General tab to "Services", tick the box "Hide all Microsoft Services". Click "OK".
You'll need to restart your computer in a clean boot then. Now try to transfer files again. Hope this time you can make it without trouble.
Fix 3: Convert FAT32 to NTFS
Reason: FAT 32 has a file transfer limit, you cannot transfer a single file over 4GB, while the NTFS file system is with no problem in transferring huge files.
You need to convert FAT32 to NTFS to break the file size limit. To file system conversion is very simple in Windows via disk formatting, but this will result in total data loss.
We recommend the other safe way to convert FAT32 to NTFS without losing data, by using third-party free partition manager software.
Fix 4: Update drivers of network adapters
Reason: outdated network adapters driver is responsible for most network file transfer problems, and 'the semaphore timeout period has expired' is the commonplace one.
Step 1: In Windows 10/8.1/8/7, press "Windows + R" hotkeys to bring up the "Run" box, input devmgmt.msc and hit Enter.
Step 2: In Device Manager, expand Network adapters, and right-click on the network driver and choose "Update driver software".
Step 3: When prompted, choose "Search automatically for updated driver software" and click "OK".
Restart your system once the latest driver installed.
How to protect data from 'The semaphore timeout period has expired' error
Data is always concerned in various hard drive/network drive issues, and do not look down upon the semaphore error even there are fixes available.
Back up hard drive
Backup plays a significant role in the operating system and data protection, but it should be put on the top task. Otherwise, it's just an empty talk when the system crashed, hard drive formatted, or a whole partition disappeared. Windows offers Backup and Recovery in Windows 7, and File History in Windows 10 to back up hard drive data for free. You should make full use of it.
Third-party free backup software, like EaseUS Todo Backup, is also a good choice, the worldwide users choose it over the Windows built-in programs due to its versatility in all backup purposes, including system backup, hard drive/partition backup, file backup, etc. And, you can schedule a backup task daily, weekly or monthly.
Recover hard drive data
What if the semaphore error has caused data loss, or data inaccessible? Still, you can make efforts to rescue data there. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is able to recover data from an inaccessible hard drive that reports all kinds of error, including the 'semaphore timeout period has expired', 'invalid raw file system', 'hard drive needs formatting' and so on before you can use it.
Step 1. Choose and scan hard drive partition.
On EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, select the hard drive partition where you lost data and click "Scan".

Step 2. Preview found hard drive data from the scan result.
When the scan completes, find lost hard drive data in "Deleted Files", "Lost Files". Filter and Search features can also help you access lost files via file types, file names or extensions. Double-click to preview these lost files.

Step 3. Recover lost hard drive data.
Select all the lost hard drive files and click the Recover button to save them to another secure location. (You can always choose to preview files before purchasing a license code for a full hard drive data recovery. )

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Frequently Asked Questions
- 1. Why choose EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard?
-
"EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is the best we've seen. It's far from perfect, partly because today's advanced disk technology makes data-recovery more difficult than it was with the simpler technology of the past, but it's fast and efficient..." —PCMag
"The first thing you'll notice about EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Pro is that its interface is very clear and uncluttered, with only a small collection of self-explanatory controls. You won't find lots of extra options hidden in a system of hidden menus, either; what you see really is what you get." —techradar
"Recover lost files, even after deleting a partition or formatting your drive." —Macworld
- 2. Why cannot I recover 2GB data for free?
-
It is recommended to check the version installed is Free or Trial because they are different versions.
Trial has data preview function but cannot save any files, while the Free version enables to recover 2 GB files. The default free space is 500 MB and you may share the product on social media to get another 1.5 GB.
- 3. Why cannot the recovered files be opened?
-
A file is saved as 2 parts on the storage device: directory info (which is comprised by file name, time stamp and size info, etc.) and data content.
If the files with original file names and folder structures cannot be opened, one possible reason is the corrupted directory info. There is still a chance to recover the data content with the RAW Recovery method in our software.
- 4. Why isn't it suggested to recover the files back to the original drive?
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The storage structure of the lost files would be altered or damaged by any changes on the drive. If you save the recovered files back to the same drive, the original data structures and data content would be corrupted or overwritten, which causes permanent data loss. So you should prepare another disk to save the files.
- 5. How can I check whether my data is recoverable or not before purchase?
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The Free version helps you save 2GB files, so verify the recovery quality of our product before purchase.
- 6. How long does it take to scan the drive?
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It strongly depends on the capacity of your hard drive and the performance of your computer. As reference,most drive recoveries can be completed in around 10 to 12 hours for a 1-TB healthy hard drive in general conditions.
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