How to fix backup issue due to VSS writers?

If you are fed up with fixing the backup issues on the servers/machines due to VSS writers and no luck. Here is the easiest way to fix them just by restarting the below services serial numbers. Try once and see the magic-

  • 1. Restart the Cryptographic Services service
  • 2. Restart the Com+Event service (yes for all dependent services)
  • 3. Restart the COM+ System Application service
  • 4. Restart Windows Management Instrumentation service
  • 5. Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider service
  • 6. Finally restart the Volume Shadow Copy service

 

If the issue persists every day, try to make a batch file and put these services into that batch. Create the task scheduler and run it 5 minutes before the backup schedule. Check the result.

 

If VSS Writers are Missing On Windows Servers/machines, Please follow the Below-


  1. STEP-1 - Need to run below commands with administrator privilege -
  2. STEP-2 - Takeown /f %windir%\winsxs\temp\PendingRenames /a
  3. STEP-3 icacls %windir%\winsxs\temp\PendingRenames /grant "NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM:(RX)"
  4. STEP-4 icacls %windir%\winsxs\temp\PendingRenames /grant "NT Service\trustedinstaller:(F)"
  5. STEP-5 icacls %windir%\winsxs\temp\PendingRenames /grant BUILTIN\Users:(RX)
  6. STEP-6 Takeown /f %windir%\winsxs\filemaps\* /a
  7. STEP-7 icacls %windir%\winsxs\filemaps\*.* /grant "NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM:(RX)"
  8. STEP-8 icacls %windir%\winsxs\filemaps\*.* /grant "NT Service\trustedinstaller:(F)"
  9. STEP-9 icacls %windir%\winsxs\filemaps\*.* /grant BUILTIN\Users:(RX)
  10. STEP-10 net stop cryptsvc
  11. STEP-11 net start cryptsvc
  12. STEP-12 vssadmin list writers

 

Now you will be able to see the missing writers on the server. Run the backup and check the result.

 

 Error: “VSS error 0x800423f2: The writer's timeout expired between the Freeze and Thaw events.”

 

Error Description- Backup fails with error: “VSS error 0x800423f2: The writer's timeout expired between the Freeze and Thaw events.”

Solution-

  • 1. Increase the timeout time for VSS operations:
  • 2. Click on Start > Run Enter: regedit.exe
  • 3. Ensure backup of registry is made, before making any changes
  • 4. Find the following registry entry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SPP\CreateTimeout
  • 5. If the above path is not found, create it
  • 6. Change key's value to 1200000
  • 7. Right-click on CreateTimeoutValue
  • 8. Select Modify & Change value to 1200000
  • 9. Additionally, for Server 2012 or later: find the following registry entry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\VSS\Settings\IdleTimeout
  • 10. Change key's value to 1200000
  • 11. Please note: for Server 2012 or later, you will need to change both keys
  • 12. If there is no entry, create one: Use the CreateTimeout path from above (HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SPP\)
  • 13. If SPP is not found, create it. Right-click SPP > New > DWORD (32 bit) Value
  • 14. Name: CreateTimeout, In the Value data field, enter: 1200000
  • 15. Note: 1200000 equals 20 minutes.
  • 16. Use the IdleTimeout path from above (HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\VSS\Settings\).
  • 17. Right-click Settings > New > DWORD (32 bit) Value Name: IdleTimeout, In the Value data field, enter: 1200000
  • 18. Note: 1200000 equals 20 minutes.

 

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