Server Backup fails with system writer not found , event 517, only when backing up System State

Janet E. Lewis 0 Reputation points
2023-08-30T04:06:27.6066667+00:00

This has happened with Server 2016 DataCenter, Server 2019 DataCenter, and Server 2022 DataCenter. It happens with standalone servers and with the DC, which is the most problematic of the bunch.

If I run server backup and choose just a disk drive or drives, or even Hyper-V the backups work just fine. But if I include system state they fail. If I try to backup jonly system state, it fails. Normally I'd say fine, just backup the drives, but on the DC one really should backup the system state.

The backup fails and the error log says The backup operation that started at '‎2023‎-‎08‎-‎29T23:26:58.659546100Z' has failed with following error code '0x80780102' (The system writer is not found in the backup.).

  1. The VSS service is running and I've tried restarting it.
    vssadmin list writers does not show anything called System Writer in any of the servers, even a freshly installed 2022 one (with the server backup role added).
  2. I have tried reregistering VSS and making sure permissions are correct with
    Takeown /f %windir%\winsxs\temp\PendingRenames /a
    icacls %windir%\winsxs\temp\PendingRenames /grant "NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM:(RX)"
    icacls %windir%\winsxs\temp\PendingRenames /grant "NT Service\trustedinstaller:(F)"
    icacls %windir%\winsxs\temp\PendingRenames /grant BUILTIN\Users:(RX)
    Takeown /f %windir%\winsxs\filemaps* /a
    icacls %windir%\winsxs\filemaps*.* /grant "NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM:(RX)"
    icacls %windir%\winsxs\filemaps*.* /grant "NT Service\trustedinstaller:(F)"
    icacls %windir%\winsxs\filemaps*.* /grant BUILTIN\Users:(RX)
    net stop cryptsvc
    net start cryptsvc
  3. I have verified in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\VSS\VssAccessControl that the value of NT AUTHORITY\NETWORK SERVICE (REG_DWORD) is 1.
  4. I have tried the workaround in https://video2.skills-academy.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/backup-and-storage/event-id-513-vss-windows-server?source=recommendations wherein one modifies the permissions of MSLLDP using sc sdset to att NT AUTHORITY\SERVICE
  5. The backup volume is on a network file server, and it works fine when I'm only backing up disks (C:, D:, and System Reserved, for example).
  6. I am a domain admin and I have run server backup both As Administrator and as a domain admin.
  7. Except for the domain controller itself, these are freshly installed 2019 servers and 2022 servers added to the domain with Microsoft updates done before adding roles (including the server backup role).
Windows Server 2019
Windows Server 2019
A Microsoft server operating system that supports enterprise-level management updated to data storage.
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Active Directory
A set of directory-based technologies included in Windows Server.
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Windows Server Backup
Windows Server Backup
Windows Server: A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.Backup: A duplicate copy of a program, a disk, or data, made either for archiving purposes or for safeguarding valuable files from loss should the active copy be damaged or destroyed.
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  1. Limitless Technology 44,091 Reputation points
    2023-08-31T07:58:12.35+00:00

    Hello

    Thank you for your question and reaching out.

    Please Disable any Antivirus program or Windows firewall you may have for temporary purpose.

    This Error is somewhat generic. It could be anything . Please Check the event viewer to see if there are any other Errors.

    The majority of the time, there is an issue with one or more VSS Writers.

    Type from elevated cmd prompt

    -> list of vssadmin writers

    Check for any errors from command result.

    --If the reply is helpful, please Upvote and Accept as answer--

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