The process can not access the file 'directory\file' because it is being used by another process in C# File Writer

Question

I receive this error when ever I attempt to save on the existing file:

the process can not access the file because it is being used by another process

It works when a file doesn't exist, but when I attempt to write in it again the error shows up. I'm not accessing or using the file that time.

here is the code:

string directory = filepath + "Updates\\" + dir;
if(!Directory.Exists(directory))
{
    Directory.CreateDirectory(directory);
}
remarks = remarks.Trim();
remarks = remarks.Replace("\r\n","<br>");
remarks = remarks.Replace(",","|");
string file = directory + "\\" +  getIndex(barcode) + ".asdt";
StreamWriter writer = new StreamWriter(file,true);
writer.WriteLine(username + "," + barcode + "," + DateTime.Now.ToString("yyyy-MM-dd HH.mm")+ "," + remarks);
writer.Close();

When I checked it the error occurs on the line:

StreamWriter writer = new StreamWriter(file,true);

what could be the cause of this?

Answer 1

Your program is probably not disposing of the file stream properly, keeping the file open.

Use the using statement to ensure proper disposal:

using(StreamWriter writer = new StreamWriter(file,true))
{
    writer.WriteLine(username + "," + barcode + "," + DateTime.Now.ToString("yyyy-MM-dd HH.mm")+ "," + remarks);
    writer.Close();
}

Answer 2

Or you can nullify the writer object after closing.

Answer 3

try to use writer.Flush(); before writer.Close();