jwbradle

Q: Time Capsule Backup Failed

For some reason, as I try to backup my MacBook Pro to my Time Capsule, it keeps on giving me this error:

Backup Error.png

 

It will not let me run Disk Utility, as the Time Capsule data drive is not showing up on the list of drives available to run First Aid on. However, I can still access the drive through Finder and browse through the files on it.

Any ideas on what to do?

Time capsule, null

Posted on Oct 1, 2016 6:15 AM

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Q: Time Capsule Backup Failed

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  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Oct 1, 2016 8:08 AM in response to jwbradle
    Level 10 (105,243 points)
    Wireless
    Oct 1, 2016 8:08 AM in response to jwbradle

    Disk Utility cannot be used to access the Time Capsule drive.......since the Time Capsule is a network drive.  Disk Utility will only work if the drive is connected directly to your Mac via USB, FireWire or Thunderbolt connection.....none of which are available on a Time Capsule.

     

    Try a power cycle on the entire network. If you decide to do this......

     

    Power off every device.......Time Capsule, computers, accessories, modem, etc......in any order that you want

    Wait a minute

    Power up the modem and let it run a few minutes by itself

    Then, power up the next device connected to the modem

    Keep powering up devices one at a time about a minute apart until the entire network is back up

    Check the network

  • by jwbradle,

    jwbradle jwbradle Oct 1, 2016 2:23 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Apple TV
    Oct 1, 2016 2:23 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    I have tried that, and I still get the same reply. My Airport Utility program recognizes the Airport there, and I can connect to the data portion of the Time Capsule. I can also go into Time Machine and view previous backups.

     

    When I click on "Backup Now" in the Time Machine menu on the menu bar...and it progresses like this:

    1.png

    2.png

    Between "Preparing backup..." and "Stopping..." it quickly says something, but I cannot read it, as it does it so quickly.

    3.png

    4.png

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Oct 1, 2016 2:32 PM in response to jwbradle
    Level 10 (105,243 points)
    Wireless
    Oct 1, 2016 2:32 PM in response to jwbradle

    Make sure that you do not have any type of 3rd party security or anti-virus applications running.

     

    Then, hold down the option key on your Mac while you click on the Time Machine "clock" icon at the top of the screen. Select Verify Backups

     

    Let the process run.....it might take anywhere from 15-60 minutes depending on how much data is on the Time Capsule disk.

     

    Report on your results

  • by jwbradle,

    jwbradle jwbradle Oct 1, 2016 3:04 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Apple TV
    Oct 1, 2016 3:04 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    This is what it said. I've clicked on "Start New Backup" already...

     

    Screen Shot 2016-10-01 at 6.03.50 PM.png

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Oct 1, 2016 3:37 PM in response to jwbradle
    Level 8 (49,654 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 1, 2016 3:37 PM in response to jwbradle

    The most likely reason for that message is a failed Time Capsule hard disk.

  • by jwbradle,

    jwbradle jwbradle Oct 1, 2016 3:54 PM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Apple TV
    Oct 1, 2016 3:54 PM in response to John Galt

    If the hard disk is failed, then why can I still access the other files I have copied to it? Why would I be able to still manually copy files to it?

    I think that there is something wrong with the backup itself.

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Oct 1, 2016 4:46 PM in response to jwbradle
    Level 8 (49,654 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 1, 2016 4:46 PM in response to jwbradle

    Any hard disk drive in a state of failure might remain usable for a while, with few overt symptoms, until it becomes unusable or nearly so. A Time Capsule will alert you with the appearance of that message, so it requires action on your part.

     

    It will also occur when Time Machine encounters an unrecoverable failure to back up, or when it fails a periodic (monthly) verification of the backup integrity. When that occurs its previously created backups are considered no longer reliable. Time Machine will offer to erase them and start a new set of backups. They might remain viable for a while, perhaps a long time, but in all likelihood the circumstances that caused the failure will remain and cause the message to eventually reappear. Attempting to restore from a backup volume in that state may not be successful, and the next periodic integrity check may also render them inaccessible.

     

    Basically it means you should not rely upon that backup, and should start a new set of backups before the TC fails completely, leaving you with none. For that reason and others, it's a good idea to have more than just one backup.