# [AUTHD_PID_FILE_LOCK](https://apps.juniper.net/syslog-explorer/?msg=AUTHD_PID_FILE_LOCK)

## SYSLOG Details
- **Message**: Unable to lock PID file: <variable>error-message</variable>
- **Help**: authd could not lock PID file
- **Description**: The generic authentication service process (authd) attempted to lock the file that records its process ID (PID), which serves to prevent multiple instances of the process from running simultaneously. It could not update the file and exited after logging this message.
- **Type**: SNO: Should Not Occur
- **Severity**: error
- **Cause**: -
- **Action**: -
- **Attributes**: error-message
- **Facility**: LOG_AUTH

## Found this message in the following releases:
- [Junos OS 24.2R1](https://apps.juniper.net/syslog-explorer/?msg=AUTHD_PID_FILE_LOCK&sw=Junos%20OS&rel=24.2R1)
- [Junos OS 23.4R1](https://apps.juniper.net/syslog-explorer/?msg=AUTHD_PID_FILE_LOCK&sw=Junos%20OS&rel=23.4R1)