How to fix Windows 10 VSS Errors and resume system backup
VSS is the Volume Shadow Copy Service in Windows that automatically backs up file snapshots and storage volumes even when files are in use. Volume Shadow Copy is fairly essential to Windows backup and System Restore utilities. As such, you might get a VSS error for a system image backup or when rolling Windows back to a restore point. These are two VSS error messages that can pop up in Windows:
A Volume Shadow Copy Service failed. Please check “VSS” and “SPP” application event logs for more information.
The Volume Shadow Copy Service used by System Restore is not working. For more information view the event log.
If a VSS error pops up, the System Restore utility probably won’t restore Windows. Furthermore, the Windows backup tool might not work when you try to copy files to an external USB drive. These are a few resolutions that might fix some VSS errors in Windows 10.
Windows 10 VSS Error: Here are 5 solutions to fix it
- Check the Volume Shadow Copy Service is Running
- Erase Junk Files for All Drive Partitions
- Switch Off the Windows Firewall
- Disable Anti-Virus Software
- Expand Volume Shadow Copy Storage Space
- Erase Orphaned Shadows
- Remove Third-Party Backup Software
- Add Acronis VSS Doctor to Windows
1. Check the Volume Shadow Copy Service is Running
- First, check that VSS is enabled and running in Windows. To do that, press the Cortana button on the Windows taskbar.
- Then input the keyword ‘services’ in the search box and select Services to open the window directly below.
- Scroll down to and double-click Volume Shadow Copy to open the window in the shot directly below.
- Select Automatic from the Startup type drop-down list.
- If the service is currently stopped, press the Start button.
- Press the Apply and OK buttons.
- Then reboot your desktop or laptop.
ALSO READ: FIX: Antivirus blocking System Restore in Windows 10
2. Erase Junk Files for All Drive Partitions
Some users have fixed VSS errors by utilizing Disk Clean-up in Windows to erase junk files on their drive partitions. If you have two, or more, drive partitions, you’ll need to scan each partition with a disk clean utility. There are numerous third-party utility software you can delete junk files with, but this is how you can utilize Disk Clean-up in Windows 10.
- Open the Cortana app.
- Input the keyword ‘disk cleanup’ in the search box.
- Select Disk Clean-up to open the window shown directly below.
- Select a drive partition to scan from the drop-down menu, and press the OK button.
- Then select the check boxes on the window below, and press the OK button to delete the selected file categories.
- Press the Delete Files button to confirm.
- In addition to the junk files, you can also erase system restore points. To do that, press the Clean up system files button on the Disk Clean-up window.
- Then select a drive partition and click OK.
- Next, select the More Options tab shown directly below.
- Press the Clean up button to erase system restore points.
3. Switch Off the Windows Firewall
- Turn off the Windows Firewall to ensure that it isn’t interfering with VSS in any way. To do that, open the Cortana app.
- Enter ‘Windows Firewall’ in the search box, and select to open Windows Defender Firewall.
- Click Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off to open the options below.
- Select the Turn off Windows Defender Firewall settings, and click the OK button.
ALSO READ: The 15 best firewall devices to protect your home network
4. Disable Anti-Virus Software
In addition to switching off the Windows Firewall, disable third-party anti-virus software. You can temporarily switch off some anti-virus utilities by right-clicking their system tray icons and selecting a disable option. However, if you can’t find a disable option on the system tray context menu, open the anti-virus software’s main window to select a switch off option from there.
Editor’s Note: This article continues on the next page. If you’re interested in other data backup solutions, check out our wide collection of guides.