macOS sierra TimeMachine Preparing Backup

Question

Level 1

10 points

macOS sierra TimeMachine Preparing Backup

Since updating to macOS sierra my TimeMachine backups get stuck "preparing the backup". I've got a solid initial backup, but my laptop can sit overnight and still be "preparing backup" the next morning. It's not sleeping, the connection is solid, its got power. The drive is working fine. I've reset SMC and PRAM, but this hasn't corrected the issue.

I'm using a WD MyBook Live at Home and a WD MyCloud at Work. Both are connected via 5ghz wireless networks with nothing sitting on either network that would be sucking up bandwidth.

Has anyone else seen this issue? Can anyone suggest a fix?

MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch,Early 2015), macOS Sierra (10.12), Time Machine

Posted on Sep 23, 2016 5:34 AM

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Answer 1

Sep 25, 2016 5:00 PM in response to ajwade85

I was able to resolve my problem by going to Sophos Home website and turning off it's protection.

After the reboot 'Preparing backup...' took much less time and the actual transfer to my network drive finally started.

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Answer 2

josjeK

Level 1

9 points

Sep 26, 2016 7:55 AM in response to Konrad Cichocki

Thanks for the suggestion. I think this helps, at least it's moving on now!

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Answer 3

Bruvva74

Level 1

4 points

Sep 30, 2016 2:52 PM in response to Konrad Cichocki

Thanks - this resolved for me as well!

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Answer 4

Sep 30, 2016 4:10 PM in response to Konrad Cichocki

As of Sept 30, looks like Sophos Home (1.2) is still not updated to work properly with Time Machine.

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Answer 5

Oct 8, 2016 11:16 AM in response to ajwade85

I have the same problem with an exception that I do not run Sophos or any other anti virus solution. I have Tried few other solutions and it did not help. I'm backing up my MacBook Air which is just upgraded to macOS Sierra to Time Capsule built-in drive. The last successful backup was one I did just prior to upgrade. Does anybody have any hints which can help to understand why backup is getting stuck?

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Answer 6

KjellF

Level 1

8 points

Dec 4, 2016 6:10 AM in response to ajwade85

I installed "Seagate Network Assistant", and problem was solved.

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