Return
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Title
The VSS writer 'SqlServerWriter' failed during the 'DoSnapshotSet' phase -- Non-SQL Server Agent -
Description
The transfer failed: 'There was a problem with the VSS subsystem on 'agent machine name'.'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.Exception chain:•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.•There was a problem with the VSS subsystem on 'agent machine name'.•The transfer failed: 'There was a problem with the VSS subsystem on 'agent machine name'.'•One or more errors occurred. -
Cause
The problem arises when you are protecting a machine which does not have an actual SQL role and/or instance running in it, but has the SQL Server VSS writer present and not being used. Rapid Recovery queries the writer, along with all others, when it's time for a backup which may be in a failed or waiting for response state and Rapid Recovery flags this as a VSS problem. -
Resolution
To resolve this issue, follow these steps:
- Launch the Core GUI
- Navigate and select the affected machine from the column of protected machines to the left
- Enter the Settings tab of the agent
- Under the Transfer section locate the sub-section called Excluded Writers
- From the list of excluded writers locate the one called SqlServerWriter
- Click on the No option to display the option to check a box and make it a Yes
- Click on the check mark to accept the change
- Force a snapshot for the agent
