DoSnapshotSet failed with error: 'Expected provider error. Check the event log for details.' (4378871)

Backups fail during the snapshot creation phase with the following error message:  

DoSnapshotSet failed with error: 'Expected provider error. Check the event log for details.' 

In the Windows Event Viewer, the following VSS error (ID: 12289) may appear in the Application log:

Source: VSS
ID: 12289
Date: [timestamp]
Description: "Volume Shadow Copy Service error: Unexpected error DeviceIoControl(\\?\Volume{[UUID]} - 0000000000000374,0x0053c028,000001856BC5C470,0,000001856BC5B460,4096,[0]). hr = 0x80070005, Access is denied. . Operation: Automatically choosing a diff-area volume Processing EndPrepareSnapshots Context: Execution Context: System Provider " 

Additionally, one or more VSS writers may show a "Timed out [7] Failed" status. Rebooting the system may temporarily reset the writers, but they fail again on the next backup attempt.

This issue is typically caused by:

• Conflicting or incompatible third-party software interfering with VSS operations.

• Missing or incorrect exclusions in antivirus or endpoint protection software.

• Review Installed Software

  • Uninstall or disable any incompatible applications that may conflict with VSS.

• Verify Rapid Recovery Exclusions

  • Please make sure antivirus or endpoint protection software includes the recommended  Rapid Recovery exclusions to prevent interference with snapshot operations.