"Error Message: 2916 – CIFS cannot connect to share" – General troubleshooting steps (4045381)

When attempting a backup of a VM it fails with “Error Message: 2916 – CIFS cannot connect to share"

Also, this error message could be appearing when adding a new repository or suddenly appear after number of successful backups to the same repository.

There could be several reasons for this error, this KB will try to help you troubleshoot this yourself before you contact one of the Quest Support Engineers.

 

• Please use domain admin if the server is a part of the domain.
• Make your user part of Local Administrators group.
• (The NTFS permissions for the repository should be Full Control or Modify for the account used for the vRanger services)
• Check if there is firewall in between ESX and repository.
• TCP PORTS 137, 139, and 445 and UDP PORTS 137 and 138 need to be open (inbound and outbound) between the ESX host and the repository.
• Don't use hidden admin shares to connect to share, connect directly to the shared directory.
• If you do remove repository, create a share, and point the new repository directly to a new share.
  • Example: Instead of \\server\c$\vRangershare use \\server\vRangershare 
• Don't use special characters on the end or beginning of the password, like “.” Or “!”.
• When using Data Domain is ESX host listed in the “White List” (read/write access list)?
• Check if your account is not locked out.
• Check for Anti-Virus Protection best practices.
• Please check if any AD GPO policies were recently implemented

Good troubleshooting steps:

• Restart vRanger services.
• Try to create a share on another server and try to attach a new repository there.
• Try to create a file using vRanger account and write to it and save the changes.
• Try to use a different account (With more elevated rights).
• Make sure that Both the vRanger computer and the ESX hosts resolve the DNS name of your repository server to the same IP address.
• Check if the ESXi host can connect to the repository.