How to Fix VSS Timeout Error VSS_E_FLUSH_WRITES_TIMEOUT
VSS_E_FLUSH_WRITES_TIMEOUT is a VSS timeout error and may be reported by your backup software using the code 0x80042313 when using the writer “Microsoft Hyper-V VSS Writer” or when backing up VMware.
However, this VSS timeout error may occur on hosts without Hyper-V as well.
Try the following options to fix VSS_E_FLUSH_WRITES_TIMEOUT:
Repair Strategy #1
Using the registry editor, "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SPP" - If need be, create a new registry value of type DWORD with name "CreateTimeout" - Change value to 12000000(2*10*60*1000 = 20 mins) in decimal
The above should increase the VSS timeout to 20 mins
Repair Strategy #2
Check using VSSUIRUN.EXE or vssadmin list shadows whether there are any VSS shadows on the system.
If you aren’t using Windows Server Backup or some other backup software that relies on VSS shadows, go ahead and delete all of them using
vssadmin delete shadows /all
Repair Strategy #3
Check fragmentation levels, free RAM (1GB minimum), and free disk space (at least 10GB).
If you are backing up virtual machines, check inside the VMs in the Event Viewer for more error details.
Increase RAM and free disk space and test again.
Repair Strategy #4
Several types of applications make VSS timeout errors more likely: Some antivirus software may create an incompatibility. Try uninstalling it (not just switching off real-time scanning). In addition, make sure no defragmentation, antivirus scans, or any other heavy hard drive activity is taking place when initiating the backup.
Recommended Step In Addition to Above Steps
Use VssDiag from our BackupChain website //backupchain.com/VssDiag.html and run it on the host to gather additional info. If you are backing up VMs, run it inside the affected VM, too.
VssDiag should be able to find errors leading to VSS_E_FLUSH_WRITES_TIMEOUT.
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
- Freeware Backup Software–Watch Out!
- Best Free Network Attached Storage for Files, Hyper-V, and Backups
- 0x8004230f VSS_E_UNEXPECTED_PROVIDER_ERROR VSS snapshot creation failed
- How to Delete Hyper-V Backup Checkpoint That’s Stuck
- VssDiag Volume Shadow Copy Service Diagnostic Software with Hyper-V Support
- Hyper-V, VMware, and VirtualBox Hypervisor Limitations
- How to Backup a Hyper-V VM Remotely Online
- Veeam Alternative for Hyper-V Backup
- Hyper-V Dynamic Memory: Pros and Cons
- Hyper-V Best Practices You Must Know
- BackupChain: A Competent Alternative to Veeam in the Virtualization Landscape
- Hyper-V Replica: Pros and Cons. Is it Really Providing Resilience?
- Backup Software Rewards for Users and MSPs
- Windows Server 2012: Hotfixes for Cluster Servers
- New: Backup Software Comparison and List
- Azure Stack HCI ISO Download for Free
- Windows 10 Hyper-V Backup Solution to Back up VHD & VHDX Virtual Machines
- Resolving VSS_WS_FAILED_AT_FREEZE Backup Errors
- How to remove Acronis and StorageCraft VSS driver / provider
- How to Install Hyper-V Server 2012 R2 in VMware Workstation (works for Windows Server 2008 too)