Why is Time Machine getting stuck partway through backups?

I just upgraded to Sonoma 14.0 in the last couple days. Yesterday I started running a Time Machine backup that got to 64% complete, then was stuck for hours; I finally selected to skip the backup. I started another backup last night, now, about 14 hours later, it's stuck at 82% complete (7.00GB copied). What could be the problem? (FWIW, last night I reset backups to run daily instead of hourly.) Thanks in advance!

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 14.0

Posted on Sep 29, 2023 10:32 AM

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Question marked as Helpful

Nov 14, 2023 12:32 PM in response to nosnetrom

I had the same problem after upgrading to Sonoma (14.1.1). Time Machine backups would stall part way through and just never finish. I never figured out what was causing the problem, but I solved it by formatting a new disk as APFS and designating it as the Time Machine backup destination. Starting over with a freshly-formatted APFS disk solved the problem.

9 replies

Sep 29, 2023 10:46 AM in response to nosnetrom

nosnetrom wrote:

I just upgraded to Sonoma 14.0 in the last couple days. Yesterday I started running a Time Machine backup that got to 64% complete, then was stuck for hours;

I finally selected to skip the backup.

I started another backup last night, now, about 14 hours later, it's stuck at 82% complete (7.00GB copied). What could be the problem? (FWIW, last night I reset backups to run daily instead of hourly.) Thanks in advance!


I would let it run and see if it will finish.


If the issue continues, a Time Machine that will not complete is one indication of a failing drive

others would be:

“failed to complete the backup ”

"Time Machine has completed a new backup for you"

"it can't create the backup,"

“Preparing backup”


If any of these message appear repeatedly —the Time Machine drive is operating in a state of failure.

The resolve would be to replace the drive.




Time Machine troubleshooting on Mac

Time Machine troubleshooting on Mac - Apple Support



If you value your user data

3-2-1 Backup Strategy: three copies of your data, two different methods, and one offsite.

More than one device, more than one backup methodology.




Oct 8, 2023 8:03 AM in response to nosnetrom

I'm having the same Time Machine issue after upgrading to Sonomo. Right now the message is:

59.9% done - About 11 hours remaining 1.84GB compied. 10 hours ago the message was nearly identical. And 10 hours before nearly the same. I had earlier cancelled the backup after having this same problem. But it's happening again. I doubt it will ever finish. I have yet to complete a Time Machine backup after upgrading to Sonomo.

Oct 31, 2023 9:35 PM in response to nosnetrom

I have a MacBook Pro M2 13" and have almost the identical problem since upgrading to Sonoma 14.1 although I let it run for 14 hours the other day and it finally finished a backup. Still taking around 10-12 hours to complete new backups which was the case today. Before upgrading to Sonoma it used to take no more than 20-40 mins most. I hate leaving my computer plugged in for hours as we all know it's not good for battery life. I called apple support and they have no answer. Hopefully they figure it out with the next update.

Question marked as Helpful

Nov 14, 2023 12:32 PM in response to nosnetrom

I had the same problem after upgrading to Sonoma (14.1.1). Time Machine backups would stall part way through and just never finish. I never figured out what was causing the problem, but I solved it by formatting a new disk as APFS and designating it as the Time Machine backup destination. Starting over with a freshly-formatted APFS disk solved the problem.

Why is Time Machine getting stuck partway through backups?

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