Fix “The Semaphore Timeout Period Has Expired” Error – 7 Ways

Sometimes, when you try to copy or transfer the large files from your storage drive to PC or vice-versa over a network, you might receive an error “The semaphore timeout period has expired” along with an error code “0x80070079“. This error message usually prevents you from accessing your connected drive or completing the transferring process. So, why this error message occurs and how it can be fixed in different situations.

In this article, I am going to discuss each and everything regarding this error along with its 7 workable fixes. So, without skipping a single line keep reading this post…..

Overview of “The semaphore timeout period has expired.” Error

In an operating system there are limited number of resources and each can be used to carry out one process at a time in a synchronized way. This synchronization between processes is achieved using Semaphore which indicates the number of resources available at a particular time to accomplish any task.

‘The semaphore timeout period has expired.’ is an error message that appears on Windows along with an error code 0x80070079. It simply indicates that, there is a timeout in the operation that your system OS was trying to perform. You may encounter this error during these 3 scenarios:

• When you are trying to copy or transfer the files from one device to another.
• When you try to access connected portable USB/Hard drives.
• While taking the backup of your system.

It usually happens when your system OS fails to build the connection or locate a source drive during file transfer process. This error message can occurs due to several reasons. To know them, you need to move to the next section.

What Are The Reasons For Semaphore Timeouts?

Well, it’s quite difficult to identify the exact reason behind semaphore timeouts has expired issue. Yet some of the common causes of this issue is listed here below.

• Due to the network related issues (Poor connection, weak signals or damaged adapters).
• Network firewall or antivirus program might preventing you to access the file system.
• Bad sectors on drive or your drive is physically damaged.
• If you are trying to transfer the large file over a network.
• Virus/ Malware attack, installing improper apps or unwanted temporary files can cause this error.
• If your source file gets corrupted.
• Because of the outdated drivers.
• USB or network cable is damaged.

How to Fix “The semaphore timeout period has expired.” Error 0x80070079?

Here are some of the ways to fix error 0x80070079:

#1: Perform a Clean Boot

Sometimes, you may need to perform a clean boot to troubleshoot some advanced system related issues.

Hence, you should also try this method to eliminate “the semaphore timeout period has expired” error by following these steps:

• Press Win + R keys together to open the RUN dialog box.
• Then, input MSConfig & press OK

• Now, a system configuration window will open.
• Here, you need to choose Services then scroll down to the bottom and tick the checkbox Hide all Microsoft Services.
• Click on Disable All and press OK.

Fix 2: Disable the Windows Firewall & Antivirus

The Windows Defender Firewall is basically used to protect your system from any unauthorized access or network-based threats.

But sometimes, it can block the file transferring process by displaying “the semaphore timeout period has expired Windows 10” error.

So here, disabling the firewall protection can help you to fix this error. Follow the below-mentioned steps:

Here’s how to disable the windows firewall temporarily:

• Open the Control Panel then go to System & security
• Here, you need to choose “Windows Defender Firewall”.
• Next, click on “Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off” option from the left panel.

• Under Private network settings& Public network settings,” you need to select the option Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended) and click on the OK button.

Fix 3: Run the CHKDSK Command to Fix Disk Errors

If you are suspecting that the semaphore timeout error is caused due to bad sectors on drive or corrupted file system then you can run CHKDSK to fix the disk related errors.

Check out the below given instructions:

• In the windows search box, type Command Prompt & choose Run as administrator.
• A command prompt window will open. Here, you need to type chkdsk /f /r x: and press Enter. (Xis a drive letter, /f fixes the errors & /r locates the drive’s bad sectors)

Now, the chkdsk command will start scanning for the disk error and bad sectors on drive. If any errors or issues is found during this process, it will fix them automatically.

Also Read –  9 Ways to Fix 0xc00d3e8c Error in Windows 10/11

Fix 4: Convert File Format FAT32 to NTFS

You can also fix this issue by converting the file format from FAT32 to NTFS.

You can do this by following these easy steps:

• Open the File Explorer by pressing Win +E keys together.
• Locate your target drive and right click on it & select Format

• Now, you need to choose the file format – NTFS and make sure to tick the Quick Format
• Finally, click the Start button to begin the converting process and that’s it.

Fix 5: Updating Drivers of Wireless Network Adapters

In most of the cases, it has been found that an outdated network adapters are responsible for such kind of network file transferring issues.

If it is so, then updating the drivers of your wireless network adapters can help you to fix Error 0x80070079.

Here’s what you need to do:

• Press Windows + X keys together & choose Device Manager.
• Once the device manager window opens, double click on “Network Adapters” to expand this option.
• Make a right-click on the network driver, & choose “Update Driver” option.

Fix 6: Run System File Checker

If the semaphore timeout error is caused due to corrupt, damaged or missing files then you can run SFC (System File Checker) to solve this issue.

It is a Windows utility that will check for the problems within the files on your system.

Follow these steps to know how to use this tool:

Step 1: Press Windows + R keys to open the RUN dialog box.

Step 2: Then, type “cmd” in it. (Without quotes).

Step 3: Now, press Ctrl+ Shift+ Enter keys to launch the elevated form of a Command Prompt.

Step 4: Once the Command Prompt window appears, type, “sfc /scannow” & press Enter.

Step 5: That’s it! Now, System File Checker will start scanning your computer for the problematic files. After that, you need to simply follow the instructions provided on the screen to solve this error.

Fix 7: Reset the Network

Resetting the network helps to fix various kind of network related issues, so you can also perform this method to get rid of Semaphore timeout error.

Here’ how to reset the network:

• Firstly, you need to click on the network icon located at the bottom right corner.
• After that, click on Network & Internet settings > Network reset.

• Finally, click on Reset Now

Hope, after resetting the network your problem will be solved.

Also Read – [Full Guide] How To Fix Windows Delayed Write Failed Error

How To Recover Deleted Data From External Hard Drive?

While attempting to fix the semaphore timeout period has expired error 0x80070079, if somehow your data gets deleted from your external hard drive then you can use Hard Drive Data Recovery Tool to get back your deleted files.

It is a feature loaded software that is specially designed to recover deleted, lost, missing, erased or inaccessible data. It can extract data from all external data storage devices such as – hard drives, flash drives, pen drives or memory cards. Besides that, it has a user friendly interface and is 100% safe & secure to use.

So, just quickly download this External Storage Data Recovery software on your PC & recover your deleted hard drive data with ease.

* Free version of the program only scans and previews recoverable objects.

Follow the step-by-step guide to know how to use this software:

Time to Conclude

Undoubtedly, the semaphore timeout period has expired Error 0x80070079 is one of the serious Windows issue that takes place during file transfer process. But there is nothing to worry about. The solutions mentioned in this post will surely going to help you to troubleshoot this error.

However, if you face a data loss situation after fixing this error then it’s recommended to use the Hard Drive Data Recovery Tool to bring back your deleted data from your external hard drive.

Thanks for reading this post!