Windows backup is important as it helps you stay protected against malware attacks, hardware and software failures, data corruption, or accidental removal. It even makes moving to a new Windows PC easy and helps in restoring data, drivers, and system settings if there is an issue. However, many Windows 11 and 10 users cannot back up files, folders, apps, and settings due to backup failures.
In this post, we’ll discuss the various scenarios of backup failure on a Windows 11/10 PC and look at ways to fix the issue.
Why does Backup Fail on Windows 11/10 PC?
There could be multiple reasons why the backup is failing on your Windows 11 and 10 PC:
- Corrupt system files (Applies to both Windows Backup and File History).
- Insufficient storage space on the drive you are taking the backup. It can be a cloud, external media, or disk partition.
- You haven’t signed into your Microsoft account (It applies to both Windows Backups).
- File History is not correctly configured (Applies to File History)
- The system is infected by malware or virus.
- Outdated drivers can interfere with backup, causing issues and affecting system stability.
- Third-party software conflict, especially security software. \
Common Backup Error Codes
Often, Windows Backup failure is accompanied by some error codes. Some of the primary error codes are:
- Error 0x81000019: This error code signifies issues space issues.
- Error 0x807800C5: Windows backup is unable to access certain files or partitions.
- Error 0x800423F4: Related to the issues with Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) and shadow copy creation.
There are also other error codes, each pointing to deeper issues with the system configuration, storage, or services running in the background.
How To Deal With Backup Failure on Windows 11/10
Before discussing the technical troubleshooting steps, let’s perform some basic fixes.
Basic Troubleshooting Steps
| Restart PC | Often, a quick reboot solves temporary glitches. Hence, restart your PC before applying advanced technical steps. |
| Check for Windows Update | Microsoft releases Windows updates from time to time to fix known bugs. If your Windows is outdated, update it, as this will fix bugs that might be interfering with backup. |
| Free up storage space | If the destination drive does not have enough space to save the backup, you will encounter issues. Therefore, when facing backup failure, check the storage device and make some room for the backup. You can use the DiskCleanup utility to remove unnecessary files or read the post on how to free up space on a PC. Additionally, if you use an external drive for backup, check that it is properly connected. Ensure the format (NTFS, FAT32) of the external drive is compatible with Windows backup. |
| Check the account you signed in with | Windows backup service saves backups using a Microsoft account. If you are using any other account, sign in with your Microsoft account. To learn how to do that, click here. |
| Disable Third Party Security Software | Some third-party security tools interfere with Windows backup. To troubleshoot the issue, temporarily disable them to see if it helps. |
| Check Cloud Storage | If you use OneDrive to save backup, check the storage. If the free GB is full you will need to free up space or buy additional space. To learn how to do that, click here. |
| Run Windows Backup troubleshooter | Windows offers troubleshooters to diagnose issues and fix them without third-party software. If backup keeps failing, use it to identify and fix the issue. To learn how to do that, click here. |
Solution No. 1 – Check If You Are Signed In With A Microsoft Account
When using the Windows backup service, your backed-up information will be stored with your Microsoft account. So, you must be logged into one. If you are not, follow the steps mentioned below to sign in to your Microsoft account –
Step 1 – Press the Windows + I keys to open Settings.
Step 2 – From the left-hand side, select Accounts.
Step 3 – Click on Your info from the right-hand side.
Step 4 – Select Sign in with a Microsoft account instead. If you see Sign in with a local account instead, you already use a Microsoft account.
Solution No. 2 – Check OneDrive Storage
Your free Microsoft account comes with 5 GB of OneDrive cloud storage. However, if this limit is exceeded, upgrade your storage plan. To manage existing storage space, you can be wary of the files and folders you are backing up. For instance, you can avoid the creation of duplicate files during the backup process.
Solution No. 3 Enable Volume Shadow Copy Service
For Window backup to work, Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) should be running. Check the service status, and if it is not running, enable it using these steps:
1. Press Windows + R to open Run window.
2. Type services.msc and press the enter key.
3. Search for Volume Shadow Copy service.
4. Double-click to check its running status. If it not running click the Start button.
5. Click Apply > Ok.
If the service is running > right-click > restart.
See if this helps in fixing the issue.
Solution No. 4 – Use Alternate Methods of Backing Up Windows Computer
Apart from the native Windows Backup utility, you can use alternate ways to backup data.
File History, for instance, is another built-in feature for saving copies of your files. However, to use this feature, you need an external drive or a network location. Alternatively, you can choose from various third-party backup solutions.
Best Way To Backup and Restore System Files – Advanced System Optimizer
System files are essential for your Windows PC to operate smoothly. This post explains what system files are and how you can back them up or even restore them.
As for backing up system files (and even restoring them when needed), the easiest way is to use Advanced System Optimizer. It is one of the best PC cleaners and optimizers. Here’s how you can back up and restore the system files using Advanced System Optimizer –
Step 1 – Download Advanced System Optimizer and run the installation file.
Step 2 – From the left-hand side, click on Backup & Recovery.
Step 3 – Select System Files Backup and Restore from the right-hand side.
Step 4 – Click on Take Backup Now, and choose the location where you want to back up your system files.
Step 5 – Click on Start Backup to initiate the backup process.
Step 6 – Click on the Finish button from the bottom right-hand side of the screen.
Step 7 – To restore backed-up system files, click on the Restore tab as shown in the screenshot below, and click on Restore Backup.
Step 8—From the list, select the backup you want to restore and click on Start Restore.
Advanced System Optimizer packs inside all the features with which you can fix common PC issues, optimize your PC for supreme performance, and do a host of other things as demonstrated in this review.
Price – You get a 24-hour fully functional trial. After that, you can purchase Advanced System Optimizer for $49.95
In addition, using the same tool, check for driver updates and update outdated drivers.
Solution No. 4 – Fix Corrupt System Files
Corrupt system files are often known to interfere with normal PC functionality. This could be one of the reasons you cannot backup files, folders, applications, or settings. A simple way to fix corrupt system files is to use the SFC command in the Administrative Command Prompt. To do that –
Step 1 – Type cmd in the Windows search bar and select Run as administrator.
Step 2 – When the Command Prompt window opens, type sfc /scannow and press the Enter key. Wait for the scan to complete
Once the scan is complete, restart the computer and check if you can now backup data successfully on your computer.
Solution No. 5- Enable System Protection Settings
You could have accidentally disabled the System Protection on your Windows, which is essential for the Windows Backup feature to work smoothly. So, if Windows backup is constantly failing on your Windows PC, check if you have enabled this feature. To enable it –
Step 1 – Type Control panel in the Windows search bar and click Open from the right-hand side.
Step 2 – Click on System Security > System
Step 3 – From the right, click on System protection
Step 4 – Click on Configure. 
Step 5 – Under Restore Settings, check if you have enabled or disabled System Protection. If not enabled, click on the radio button that says Turn on system protection to enable it. 
Step 6 – Click on Apply, and OK.
Backup The Data On Your Windows 11/10 With No Hassles
If you aren’t able to use the native ways to backup data and settings on your Windows computer, the first thing you should do is check if you are signed into your Microsoft account.
Then, check if you have sufficient OneDrive space to accommodate your backup. Meanwhile, you can also use a third-party tool to backup files on your hard drive. If you specifically aim to back up system files, a tool like Advanced System Optimizer is the best option. Also, check if you have enabled System Protection settings on your Windows PC.
We hope that the solutions above have helped you fix the issue. If they have, please let us know in the comments section below.
