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SQL backup failed: Vss Error: Operation timedout of gathering writer metadata
SQL backup failed: Vss Error: Operation timedout of gathering writer metadata
Updated over a week ago

Problem description


SQL backup fails with -

SQL backup failed: Vss Error: Operation timedout of gathering writer metadata

Cause

This issue can occur if the registry Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) writer did not respond to a query from the VSS service (OS level operation).

Traceback

Log location: C:\ProgramData\Phoenix\FS\Phoenix.log

[ERROR] <_MainThread(MainThread)> SqlAgent :SQL backup failed: Vss Error: Operation timedout of gathering writer metadata hr = -2147212520
[2020-01-15 00:11:52,312] [ERROR] <_MainThread(MainThread)> Error <class 'pyvss.VssException'>:Vss Error: Operation timedout of gathering writer metadata hr = -2147212520. Traceback -Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "agentPartnerProcess.pyc", line 84, in _process_request_start
  File "agents\sqlserver\SqlAgent.pyc", line 60, in process_backup_start
  File "agents\sqlserver\SqlBackup.pyc", line 54, in init
  File "agents\sqlserver\SqlBackup.pyc", line 110, in __init_helpers
  File "agents\sqlserver\VssHelper.pyc", line 1288, in get_backup_helper_object
  File "agents\sqlserver\VssHelper.pyc", line 144, in __init__
  File "agents\sqlserver\VssHelper.pyc", line 107, in get_current_server_info
  File "agents\sqlserver\sql_vss_2.pyc", line 405, in discover_databases
  File "roboClientLib\vssutils.pyc", line 195, in gather_writer_metadata
VssException: Vss Error: Operation timedout of gathering writer metadata hr = -2147212520

Event viewer:

Event ID 12347 β€” Volume Shadow Copy Service Operations
Volume Shadow Copy Service error: An internal inconsistency was detected in trying to contact shadow copy service writers. The Registry Writer failed to respond to a query from VSS. Check to see that the Event Service and Volume Shadow Copy Service are operating properly, and please check the Application event log for any other events.

Resolution

  1. Ensure that the writer is in a stable state. Issue the command

    vssadmin list writers 

    from the command prompt to determine the writer status. The Registry writer status must be as follows

    Writer name: 'Registry Writer'
    Writer Id: {xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx}
    Writer Instance Id: {xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx}
    State: [1] Stable
    Last error: No error
  1. Follow the instructions in the Microsoft article Event ID 12347 β€” Volume Shadow Copy Service Operations.

  2. Rebooting the server may resolve the issue.

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