John Kitchen

Q: Time Machine no longer automatic under El Capitan

My symptoms are that the automatic backups just don't happen under El Capitan on either my iMac or my MacBook Pro.  Manual backups are successful.  The iMac backs up to an alternating pair of drives, one of which is via USB and the other via FireWire.  The MBP is backing up one the home network to a USB drive on my iMac.

 

I tried the SMC reset on my iMac which was recommended elsewhere in these forums.

 

After leaving the iMac powered off and disconnected from power for five minutes, I restarted it.  I noticed that Time Machine does not provide an expected time of next backup, so I checked the logs.

 

Does this log make sense to anyone?

 

The key line seems to be this one:-

 

10/23/15 9:27:58.615 AM UserEventAgent[53]: com.apple.backupd-auto launchd job disabled


Any suggestions as to how to get Time Machine running automatically again?

 

------------------------------------------

 

10/23/15 9:26:26.649 AM storeaccountd[475]: XPC error for connection com.apple.backupd.sandbox.xpc: Connection invalid

10/23/15 9:26:26.000 AM kernel[0]: Sandbox: storeaccountd(475) deny(1) mach-lookup com.apple.backupd.sandbox.xpc

---above two lines repeated three times ---

 

10/23/15 9:26:27.283 AM sandboxd[151]: ([475]) storeaccountd(475) deny mach-lookup com.apple.backupd.sandbox.xpc

--- line above repeated twice ---

 

10/23/15 9:27:58.615 AM UserEventAgent[53]: com.apple.backupd-auto launchd job disabled

10/23/15 9:28:06.425 AM com.apple.xpc.launchd[1]: (com.apple.backupd-auto) Unknown key for Boolean: ForceEnableHack

10/23/15 9:28:06.426 AM com.apple.xpc.launchd[1]: (com.apple.backupd-helper.status) The HideUntilCheckIn property is an architectural performance issue. Please transition away from it.

10/23/15 9:28:06.426 AM com.apple.xpc.launchd[1]: (com.apple.backupd-auto) This service is defined to be constantly running and is inherently inefficient.

10/23/15 9:28:06.426 AM UserEventAgent[53]: com.apple.backupd-auto launchd job enabled

10/23/15 9:30:56.000 AM kernel[0]: Sandbox: storeaccountd(475) deny(1) mach-lookup com.apple.backupd.sandbox.xpc

10/23/15 9:30:56.114 AM storeaccountd[475]: XPC error for connection com.apple.backupd.sandbox.xpc: Connection invalid

--- two lines above repeated three times ---

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.8), 2011 - 27" SSD + HDD 32GB

Posted on Oct 24, 2015 9:54 AM

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Q: Time Machine no longer automatic under El Capitan

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  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Oct 24, 2015 11:40 AM in response to John Kitchen
    Level 8 (49,039 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 24, 2015 11:40 AM in response to John Kitchen

    As a prerequisite I assume you are not using any so-called "anti-virus" or "security" products by any description whatsoever, other than the security features already incorporated natively in OS X. Otherwise, that changes everything.

     

    A couple suggestions:

     

    First, run Disk Utility. Choose the external hard disk backup volume, and choose "First Aid". It will take a long time; expect at least an hour.

     

    Then:

     

    1. Turn "off" Time Machine if it is not already off.
    2. Rebuild the Spotlight index according to Spotlight: How to re-index folders or volumes (summary: drag the entire source volume to the exclusions list, click OK, then remove it by clicking the minus ("–") button.)

     

    Next:

     

    Navigate to the following folder by selecting the entire line (triple-click to select it), then control-click, and from the contextual menu that appears, select Services > Reveal in Finder:

     

    /Library/Preferences/com.apple.TimeMachine.plist

     

    Drag the entire folder to the Trash, reconnect your backup device if required, wait for it to mount, and turn Time Machine on again. Select Back Up Now.


    This will not create a new backup nor will it erase your existing ones, but the values shown in the "backing up xxx of yyy" message and progress bar will be inaccurate until TM finishes the subsequent backup.

     

    Determine if that fixes the problem.

     

    The MBP is backing up one the home network to a USB drive on my iMac.

     

    I do not understand what you mean by that, but I suggest treating it as a separate problem. For now, set aside the MBP and concentrate on fixing the iMac's TM problems.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Oct 24, 2015 2:24 PM in response to John Kitchen
    Level 10 (207,963 points)
    Applications
    Oct 24, 2015 2:24 PM in response to John Kitchen

    There is a bug in El Capitan that prevents automatic backups from happening under some conditions—I'm not sure what they are.

    If you have a portable Mac (MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro), Time Machine won't work on battery power unless you open the Time Machine pane in System Preferences, click Options..., and then check the box marked

              Back up while on battery power

    in the sheet that opens.

    If you have a desktop Mac (iMac, Mac mini, or Mac Pro) connected to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) with USB functionality, please disconnect the USB cable from the UPS, then restart and see whether there's any change.

    Otherwise, until the bug is fixed, you'll have to initiate the backups manually by selecting

              Back Up Now

    from the TM menu in the menu bar (not the Dock icon.) If the menu-bar icon (a clock that runs backwards) isn't showing, check the box marked

              Show Time Machine in menu bar

    in the Time Machine preference pane.

  • by roncarfl,

    roncarfl roncarfl Oct 25, 2015 10:25 AM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Oct 25, 2015 10:25 AM in response to John Galt

    I followed these instructions (John Galt's) and the "Next backup" day and time reappeared, but when that time passed, no backup occurred, i.e., "Latest backup:" only updates if I "Back Up Now" from the Menu Bar. "Next backup" value continues to advance every hour.

  • by Richard West,

    Richard West Richard West Oct 25, 2015 2:35 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (25 points)
    Oct 25, 2015 2:35 PM in response to Linc Davis

    This looks like a good solution to the problem of the Time Machine not running automatically after installing El Capitan.

     

    I have an iMac with a UPS and did what you suggested (unplugged the USB cable from the UPS and rebooted the iMac). After doing this Time Machine now runs automatically at the time indicated in the System Preferences.

     

    Thank you for the suggestion.

  • by roncarfl,

    roncarfl roncarfl Oct 26, 2015 6:58 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Oct 26, 2015 6:58 AM in response to Linc Davis

    Unplugging the UPS USB cable worked for me as well. I don't see any mention of addressing Time Machine issues in 10.11.1. I hope to be able to reconnect the UPS at some point.

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Oct 26, 2015 7:57 AM in response to Richard West
    Level 8 (49,039 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 26, 2015 7:57 AM in response to Richard West

    What model UPS are you using?

  • by Richard West,

    Richard West Richard West Oct 26, 2015 8:44 AM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (25 points)
    Oct 26, 2015 8:44 AM in response to John Galt

    APC.

     

    I suspect it doesn't matter which brand of UPS if a MacBook has the same issue when told not to back up while running on batteries.

  • by John Kitchen,

    John Kitchen John Kitchen Oct 26, 2015 8:51 AM in response to John Galt
    Level 3 (649 points)
    Oct 26, 2015 8:51 AM in response to John Galt

    John Galt wrote:

     

    What model UPS are you using?

    It's an old Belkin

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Oct 26, 2015 9:08 AM in response to Richard West
    Level 8 (49,039 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 26, 2015 9:08 AM in response to Richard West

    Thanks. I use a variety of current production APC UPSs, including their USB communication cable, and have not experienced the problem you describe. I only use them for desktop Macs though, not portables. They use a variety of Thunderbolt, USB, and FireWire drives, bus powered and self-powered, Time Capsules, and USB drives connected to Time Capsules and AirPort Extremes. Unless I can duplicate what you're experiencing, whatever is causing your Time Machine difficulties remains unknown.

     

    For your MacBook, how are you using the UPS? In other words is it supplying power for the MacBook Pro, or only its Time Machine backup drive? What is its USB cable connected to? I'm still trying to understand how the MacBook Pro bears on your question, but as I wrote it's probably best to omit it from troubleshooting for now.

     

    Did you by any chance install any UPS management software? The reason for asking is that there is no need to use anything since OS X includes all the UPS auto-shutdown functions required for Energy Saver natively. I don't even know if there are any such products for APC, but if there are, don't use them.

  • by John Kitchen,

    John Kitchen John Kitchen Oct 26, 2015 9:14 AM in response to John Galt
    Level 3 (649 points)
    Oct 26, 2015 9:14 AM in response to John Galt

    John Galt wrote:

     

    Thanks. I use a variety of current production APC UPSs, including their USB communication cable, and have not experienced the problem you describe. I only use them for desktop Macs though, not portables.

     

    For your MacBook, how are you using the UPS? In other words is it supplying power for the MacBook Pro, or only its Time Machine backup drive? What is its USB cable connected to? I'm still trying to understand how the MacBook Pro bears on your question, but as I wrote it's probably best to omit it from troubleshooting for now.

     

    Did you by any chance install any UPS management software? The reason for asking is that there is no need to use anything since OS X includes all the UPS auto-shutdown functions required for Energy Saver natively. I don't even know if there are any such products for APC, but if there are, don't use them.

     

    The MacBook is simply relying on its internal battery, no UPS.

     

    The UPS is supporting the iMac and the iMac's external drives.    The iMac is connected to the UPS via USB so it knows the UPS state.  We have had power outages, and the iMac has successfully powered down in a controlled manner.

     

    One of the external drives is for the MacBook's Time Machine destination.

     

    Another two of the iMac's external drives are for the iMac Time Machine destinations which are used in an alternating fashion.  (I chose this method since I am more paranoid about the iMac's data than the MacBook's data).

     

    I mentioned the MacBook because BOTH Macs have the same problem, and the common element is El Capitan.  Also common is that both computers can run on battery power, and both of them know that they can.

     

    I did not instal any UPS management software.  Mac OS X has being a fine job automatically.  I just plugged in the USB cable from the UPS, and the "Energy Saver" function in System Preferences immediately "grew a new tab".  That put a smile on my face!

  • by John Galt,Helpful

    John Galt John Galt Oct 28, 2015 9:17 AM in response to John Kitchen
    Level 8 (49,039 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 28, 2015 9:17 AM in response to John Kitchen

    Thanks John. That's very helpful information.

    The UPS is supporting the iMac and the iMac's external drives.    The iMac is connected to the UPS via USB so it knows the UPS state.

     

    That describes my installations as well.

     

    One of the external drives is for the MacBook's Time Machine destination.


    That's the only difference, since all my portable Macs use a Time Capsule, AEBS, or directly connected backup device – not another Mac.

     

    According to Apple, if a Mac is to be used to host a Time Machine backup, that Mac must be running OS X Server. If you are interested in advancing troubleshooting, consider leaving the portables out of the picture as I suggested. Since portables use "local snapshots" they can be backed up just as effectively by periodically connecting the external backup device when the portable is connected to power, and letting TM work. The number of backups portables can hold is limited by available disk space, described in detail here: About Time Machine local snapshots - Apple Support.

  • by johnfkitchen,

    johnfkitchen johnfkitchen Oct 27, 2015 10:34 AM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 27, 2015 10:34 AM in response to John Galt

    I checked with Apple Support and it seems that the regular (non-Server) version is fine for this task.

     

    Also, Time Machine is now working again, I assume this was fixed in 10.11.1 yesterday, although it's not mentioned in the release notes at About the OS X El Capitan v10.11.1 Update - Apple Support

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Oct 27, 2015 11:10 AM in response to johnfkitchen
    Level 8 (49,039 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 27, 2015 11:10 AM in response to johnfkitchen

    Great! Thanks for the update.

     

    My mistake for assuming you had not already updated, since 10.11.1 was already released before posting your question, but I didn't experience that bug in the original release anyway.

     

    I'd be very skeptical of Apple's report of TM compatibility without OS X Server. What they told you contradicts their published documentation. If it's working for you though, great.

  • by roncarfl,

    roncarfl roncarfl Oct 28, 2015 5:09 AM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Oct 28, 2015 5:09 AM in response to John Galt

    10.11.1 did not fix this for me. After reading yours and johnfkitchen's posts, I shut down, plugged my UPS USB cable back in and restarted. Once again, when the time came for the backup to occur, it did not, but advanced the time for the next backup by one hour. So, I shut down, unplugged the UPS USB cable, and now it's working again. It seems to me Apple would report something as important as fixing a bug that caused missing Time Machine backups in their release notice.

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