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

## SYSLOG Details
- **Message**: Unable to lock PID file: <variable>error-message</variable>
- **Help**: fwauthd could not lock PID file
- **Description**: The firewall authentication process (fwauthd) attempted to lock the file that records its process ID (PID), which serves to prevent multiple instances of the process from running simultaneously. The attempt failed.
- **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=FWAUTHD_PID_FILE_LOCK&sw=Junos%20OS&rel=24.2R1)
- [Junos OS 23.4R1](https://apps.juniper.net/syslog-explorer/?msg=FWAUTHD_PID_FILE_LOCK&sw=Junos%20OS&rel=23.4R1)