Backup failed: MacBook Pro Time Machine couldn't back up to Time Capsule

Can you open the sparsebundle in finder? If so it is not a network issue and is just Time Machine being difficult.

In that case about the only way to fix it is to delete the current backup sparsebundle and start again.

If you really want to keep the backup then the best idea is to plug a USB drive into the TC of equal disk capacity to the TC.. and run archive.. then you can do a quick erase and start over.

Even though the backup verified correctly there is still sufficient issues to prevent Time Machine starting.

The TC is very old and it could have some other issues..

If you cannot open the sparsebundle in Finder than you have some issue but then I don't understand how you managed to verify the backup.

Time Machine has become progressively less reliable since Sierra.. it may be a good time to think of different approach.

eg Use Carbon Copy Cloner instead.

Or get a USB drive and plug it directly into the laptop and backup that way.

It is not so easy to stop a Mac using the old Sparsebundle because it does not use name but UUID of the hard disk.

Since I have freed more than 1 TB of space on the TC my intention is to try rename the MacBook and start a new backup with a different name.

I would create a folder... say OldTM in the TC hard disk.

Drag the sparsebundle to this new folder.. the Mac will then no longer be able to access it and you can start a new backup.

Carbon Copy Cloner is free for a month .. I would download it and give it a try. The advantage is hugely better logs and info if and when something goes wrong.

If you want more help do tell me a bit more..

Tell me how you have the TC setup. I would definitely avoid using wireless on these old models. As they age wireless is one of the first things affected.

I would factory reset the TC and give it a new name.. short, no spaces and pure alphanumeric. Password same rules but can be longer.

And if the TC is bridged to a different main router, I would give the TC a static IP address as this can be important.

How far into the backup did it get before it failed?

Is the computer directly connected to the TC.. this is now recommended by Apple.

Also on laptop do not use power nap .. that apparently is a main cause of failure in TM backup.

Well .. that is nasty.. !!

I cannot really follow why it should create a sparsebundle and then fail within such a short space of time.. If the TC was a more recent purchase I would spend the time with Apple to pursue it.. but since it is really due replacement anyway.. I think it is telling you time is up!!

Since Apple has gone out of the business then you will need to figure out a new approach. I do recommend to people Synology NAS or Synology router plus USB drive. The NAS is expensive and to justify the price you will need to use its' more extensive file server abilities.. plus media etc. Otherwise the Synology router will really be a better buy. I tested backup using a USB3 drive to a Synology RT2600AC and it was equal to the speed of the TC.. either Gen4 or Gen5. The NAS is considerably faster.

Thanks.. that is a new one to me.

When I asked you to do the backup by ethernet.. I forgot how easy that statement is to make but how difficult and potentially expensive it is in reality.

Apple do sell a thunderbolt 3 to ethernet adapter for a $29 in US.

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD463LL/A/thunderbolt-to-gigabit-ethernet-adapter

You might find buying a proper dock like the OWC model better value as it gives you a whole range of ports and charging as well.

OR

It might really be better to rethink your whole network.

To reset the TC I need to first save somewhere else 1,5 GB of pictures, movies, music and documents

Actually you don't in terms of a reset. No reset of the TC erases the hard disk. So just to be clear what I proposed will change access to the files.. you will need to do some renaming around the network but it will not delete anything.

However, if you have all those pictures movies music and documents on a Gen4 TC without a backup.. that backup is urgent. The TC is well past its use by date. They can die suddenly and irrevocably without least sign.. except perhaps a backup failing after working fine for ages.. hint hint. And getting your files out of a dead TC can be a rather expensive process. If the hard disk dies.. very very expensive without any guarantee of success.

Just note that I am repairing a Gen4 TC right now for someone who lost all their music. This resulted in psychological trauma and manic depression. And this is far from the first one I have done. He is lucky.. the disk is OK and I recovered the files for him. Do you feel.. LUCKY??

Buy a USB drive today.. and backup your music and files.. do it.. do it NOW!! 4TB for desktop 3.5" type and 2TB for laptop 2.5" type are sweet spots since they do not use archive drives and are cheap/cheapest for capacity.

There could be an issue with your ISP supplied router not handling bonjour correctly. There is a complicated fix.. but let me first suggest you try the following.

#1 set a static IP on your TC.

This is simple..

Open the airport utility and click on the icon of the TC.. click on edit in the summary that comes up.

Go to the Internet tab.

It will look something like this with IP from your main router.

Select Static as your method of connection.

This will swap all the current values without you needing to do anything. And it will be locked.

#2 In Finder use Go / Connect to Server to mount the TC hard disk by IP address.

A menu will popup which you will type as follows.. replacing my static IP with yours.

You may need to give it a password and save that in your keychain.. do it..

#3 you now have your TC hard disk mounted in finder but using an IP that never changes.. and no bonjour requirement to find it.

In Time Machine Preferences click on Add and Remove Hard Disk.

You will see the existing TC hard disk listed by the name of the TC.. and you will also see the same disk listed by IP address.

Add this IP address one.. and use it for backup.. don't delete the original if you are asked .. just say use both.

Tell me if this improves things at all.