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    Troubleshooting MS SharePoint backups

    Posted
    Updated
    ByRussell Kirkpatrick

    MS SharePoint backups depend on 3 VSS writers:

    1. SqlServerWriter
    2. SharePoint Services Writer (in MS SharePoint 2013, it is disabled by default and needs to be registered)
    3. OSearch VSS Writer

    When there is difficulty starting or completing a SharePoint backup, it often helps to troubleshoot the writers.

    What to do if a writer is unavailable

    If one of the writers is unavailable (missing from the response to vssadmin list writers), you can try some typical solutions before contacting support.

    Name of missing writer Possible solutions
    SqlServerWriter
    1. Make sure the SQL databases for SharePoint are located on the current server (multi-tier configuration is not supported).
    2. Make sure the names of the SQL databases on the current server do not contain spaces (see the Identifying spaces in the names of SQL databases section below).
    3. Check the status of the SQL Server VSS Writer service that handles the writer.
    4. Make sure the Writer has sufficient access permissions (see the Granting SQL Server VSS Writer access to the database section below).
    SharePoint Services Writer
    1. Check the statuses of the services responsible for the writer: Volume Shadow Copy and SharePoint VSS Writer.
    2. (If the services are unavailable). Register the writer in the Windows registry.
    3. If MS SharePoint is installed on Windows SBS 2011 Standard, make sure the SharePoint Services Writer has sufficient access permissions (learn more).
    OSearch VSS Writer Activate the SharePoint Server Search 14 service that handles the writer.

    Checking the statuses of VSS writers

    The VSS writers are activated through appropriate services. If any of the writers are not available, please start the Services Console and make sure the following services are available and their statuses are as follows:

    1. Volume Shadow Copy – must not be disabled
    2. SharePoint Server Search 14 – must not be disabled
    3. SQL Server VSS Writer – Started and set to the Automatic startup type
    4. SharePoint VSS Writer – Started and set to the Automatic startup type
    Posted
    Updated
    ByRussell Kirkpatrick
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