How to fix: Selected writer ‘Microsoft Hyper-V VSS Writer’ is in failed state, VSS_WS_FAILED_AT_PREPARE_SNAPSHOT
When running a backup of a Hyper-V VM you may run into this issue:
Selected writer 'Microsoft Hyper-V VSS Writer' is in failed state Status: 8 (VSS_WS_FAILED_AT_PREPARE_SNAPSHOT) - Writer Failure code: 0x800423f3
The above error requires further investigation. You need to check the Windows and Hyper-V logs as shown in this article and look deep into Hyper-V’s logs as well, in addition to the regular Windows Application and System logs. You’d want to look for VolSnap, VSS, and other errors and Disk Warnings.
It could be that the VM is vetoing the backup, too. To rule out this scenario, investigate the VM’s Event Viewer logs, too.
A common reason for the latter are outdated Hyper-V Integration Services.
We’re striving to provide the best backup software for IT professionals; download it here: //backupchain.com/en/hyper-v-backup/ and see it in action!
Backup Software Overview
Server Backup SoftwareDownload BackupChain
Cloud Backup
Backup VMware Workstation
Backup FTP
Backup VirtualBox
Backup File Server
Hyper-V Backup
Backup Hyper-VPopular
- Hyper-V Links, Guides, Tutorials & Comparisons
- Veeam Alternative
- How to Back up Cluster Shared Volumes
- DriveMaker: Map FTP, SFTP, S3 Site to a Drive Letter (Freeware)
Resources
- Free Hyper-V Server
- Remote Desktop Services Blog
- SCDPM Blog
- SCOM Blog
- V4 Articles
- Knowledge Base
- FAQ
- Archive 2024
- Archive 2022
- Archive 2021
- Archive 2020
- Archive 2018
- Archive 2017
- Archive 2016
- Archive 2015
- Archive 2014
- Archive 2013
- Hyper-V Scripts in PowerShell
- FastNeuron
- BackupChain (Greek)
- BackupChain (Deutsch)
- BackupChain (Spanish)
- BackupChain (French)
- BackupChain (Dutch)
- BackupChain (Italian)
Backup Software List
BackupChain
Veeam
Unitrends
Symantec Backup Exec
BackupAssist
Acronis
Zetta
Altaro
Windows Server Backup
Microsoft DPM
Ahsay
CommVault
IBM
Other Backup How-To Guides
- How to Fix VSS Timeout Error VSS_E_FLUSH_WRITES_TIMEOUT
- How to fix error CLSID {463948d2-035d-4d1d-9bfc-473fece07dab} Access Denied
- Hyper-V Manager: Scheduled Snapshot and Checkpoint Creation
- How to Install Hyper-V on Windows 8
- 9 Editions of Windows Server 2012 Compared At a Glance
- How to Backup a Virtual Server While Running
- Hyper-V Stop 0x0000000A BSOD Error Causes and Fixes KB2776366
- 2 Reasons Why Continuous Data Protection (CDP) Isn’t Always A Good Idea for Backups
- Hyper-V Backup Links, Guides, Tutorials & Comparisons
- 4 Things You Need To Know About Hyper-V Integration Services
- Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows 8.1 Backup Software
- How to fix: 0x800423f4, The writer experienced a non-transient error. If the backup process is retried, the error is likely to reoccur
- Helpful Hyper-V Links
- VMware Scheduled Snapshot Creation in a Task, Fully Automated
- How to Delete VSS Shadows or Snapshots
- Backup too Slow: How to Speed Up Backups
- Hyper-V IDE or SCSI? What’s Performing Better, Faster?
- Veeam Alternative for Hyper-V Backup
- Windows Server 2022 ISO Preview – Free Download
- How to Fix: VM cannot be backed up …file groups reported during OnIdentify