Return
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Title
Domain Controller backup is failing with VSS SqlServerWriter error -
Description
Error: "The transfer failed: 'There was a problem with the VSS subsystem on <servername>.' The VSS writer 'SqlServerWriter' failed during the 'DoSnapshotSet' phase with error 'WriterErrorNonRetryable'. The VSS writer state is 'FailedAtPrepareSnapshot'. To solve this issue, consider excluding 'SqlServerWriter' in agent's transfer settings." -
Cause
Issue is caused by Azure AD Connector software, which is installing Microsoft SQL Express LocalDB instance -
Resolution
To resolve the issue, please do the following:
1) download and install Microsoft SQL Express 2012 Service Pack 4 here https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=56042
2) try to force a snapshot
3) if it's still failing then it's safe to:
-- click on agent name in the Core console
-- click on Settings on the right pane
-- scroll down to the list of excluded VSS writers
-- select a checkmark on SqlServerWriter and confirm it so, No will change to Yes
-- force a snapshotAlternatively, please force Windows Updates including option "Receive updates for other Microsoft products".