How to troubleshoot issue with VSS Writers not found during a backup plan execution

Overview

A backup plan might fail with the following error:

Backup of the '{DCName}' domain controller has failed. VSS Writers not found

Resolution

To resolve the issue:

1. Make sure Active Directory Domain Services and DFS Replication services are running on the domain controller.

2. Run the command:

   Copy

   vssadmin list writers

   The output should contain the following: Writer name: 'NTDS' ... Writer name: 'DFS Replication service writer'.

3. Make sure the Volume Shadow Copy and Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider services are enabled on the domain controller.

4. Collect and send the Window event logs to Cayosoft Support.

   1. Application.

   2. System.

   3. Applications and Services Logs\Directory Service.

   4. Applications and Services Logs\DFS Replication.

5. Review the logs and check if there are any errors related to the shadow copy creation. Error messages might indicate the cause of the backup failure.