Share this article

Improve this guide

The Semaphore Timeout Period has Expired: Why & How to Fix

You can fix this quickly by disabling your firewall and antivirus

5 min. read

Updated onMay 16, 2024

updated onMay 16, 2024

Share this article

Improve this guide

Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more

Key notes

When you try to transfer files between your Windows 10 system and any other external device or want to access a certain drive connected to your computer, you might get thesemaphore timeout period has expirederror.

This error will block your action and prevent you from completing the transfer process. In most situations, you will experience theerrorcode 0x80070079 with the prompt while trying totransfer huge files.

Thankfully, it is not the most difficult issue to fix, as we will show in the ensuing sections of this guide.

What does it mean if the semaphore timeout period has expired?

There are various factors that can cause the semaphore timeout period has expired on Windows 10. Below are some of the prevalent causes:

How do I fix the semaphore timeout period has expired error?

1. Temporarily disable Firewall and antivirus protection

If you are facing the semaphore timeout period has expired on the Azure SQL server, it might be due to your firewall or antivirus. After following the steps above to disable your firewall, you should disable any third-party antivirus on your PC.

However, it should be noted that you shouldn’t disable your firewall and antivirus for long.

2. Update network adapters drivers

When you encounter thesemaphore timeout has expirederror, it can mean that your wireless adapter driver is outdated.

You can check the manufacturer’s website if the built-in driver updater cannot find the latest driver.

Another option is to resort toprofessional softwarethat can help you update your drivers by scanning your PC as soon as you install the program.

3. Initiate a clean boot

Sometimes, third-party apps or processes can cause the semaphore timeout period has expired error. The easiest way to know this is to perform a clean boot.

This will start your PC with only the required services. If the error does not appear after the clean boot, you need to start enabling the apps and services in batches to find the problematic one.

4. Convert FAT32 to NTFS

As you might know, transferring huge files is possible only if the actualdrivers are formatted into NTFS. So, if you are facing the semaphore timeout period has expired error on your hard drive, you should convert it from FAT32 to NTFS.

5. Repair system files and bad sectors

At times, this issue can be caused by corrupt system files or bad hard drive sectors. The easiest way to do this is to run the commands above.

With this, we can conclude this guide on how to fix thesemaphore timeout period has expirederror. Just makes sure you follow the steps carefully, and you should be able to transfer your files easily.

Are you facing other issues, likeBluetooth file transfer not working? Then, check our detailed guide to fix this easily.

If you solved this issue using another solution, share your experience with us by dropping a comment in the dedicated section below.

The Semaphore Timeout Period has Expired: Why & How to Fix#

What does it mean if the semaphore timeout period has expired?#

How do I fix the semaphore timeout period has expired error?#

1. Temporarily disable Firewall and antivirus protection#

2. Update network adapters drivers#

3. Initiate a clean boot#

4. Convert FAT32 to NTFS#

5. Repair system files and bad sectors#