"Could not install MAME because the archive could not be extracted" Error

Written By AstroBob

Last updated 2 months ago

If you encounter the following error while trying to install MAME through LaunchBox:

Could not install MAME because the archive could not be extracted; perhaps it is corrupt or files are in use?

This message indicates that LaunchBox encountered a problem while attempting to extract the downloaded MAME archive. Here's what could be causing it, and how to resolve the issue.

Possible Causes

  • Corrupted Download: The archive may not have downloaded properly due to network issues or interruptions.

  • Locked Files: Background processes like antivirus, OneDrive, Dropbox, or other syncing tools might be locking the archive and preventing extraction.

  • Permission Issues: LaunchBox might not have sufficient permissions to write to or extract files in the installation directory.

  • Plugin Conflict: Some users have reported issues stemming from outdated or conflicting plugin versions related to MAME.

Recommended Steps

  1. Close Syncing and Security Software
    Pause or temporarily disable tools like OneDrive, Dropbox, antivirus, or backup software that may be locking files in real-time.

  2. Delete Incomplete or Duplicate MAME Folders
    Go to your LaunchBox\Emulators directory and check for multiple or empty MAME folders (e.g., MAME 0.281, MAME 0.281 (1), etc.).

    • If you find any empty or duplicate folders, delete them.

    • If one folder has an older working version, consider renaming it back to match its version (e.g., MAME 0.280).

  3. Check for Plugin Updates
    LaunchBox uses a plugin to manage MAME integration. Go to Tools > Manage > Plugin Manager and check for any available updates.
    Updating the plugin has resolved this error for several users.

  4. Run LaunchBox as Administrator (with caution)

    Running LaunchBox as an administrator can help in certain situations, but only if LaunchBox is installed in a neutral directory like C:\LaunchBox.

    If LaunchBox is inside a user‑specific folder (such as Documents or Desktop), running it as admin may actually cause permission conflicts.

    If your installation is in a neutral location, try running as admin. If not, you can safely skip this step.

  5. Re-run the MAME Import Wizard
    Head to Tools > Import > MAME Full Set and try again after cleaning up old files and updating plugins.

Still Not Working?

If none of the above solutions resolve the issue:

  • Try Manually Deleting Temporary Archives
    Go to LaunchBox\ThirdParty\MAME or similar temp directories and delete any partial downloads.

If the issue persists after following the above steps, let us know! Please reach out to our support team via the forums or contact form and we’ll be happy to help you debug the problem further. Include any error messages or logs you’ve seen — they’ll help us resolve it faster.