Windows Backup Not Working: How to Fix Common Errors

If Windows Backup has stopped working, the fix usually involves checking the backup drive connection, freeing up disk space, and resetting the backup service. This guide walks you through the most common errors and their step-by-step solutions, so you can get your backups running again without losing data.

Why Windows Backup Fails: The Usual Suspects

Windows Backup (both the legacy Backup and Restore and the newer File History) is generally reliable, but it depends on a few things that can break. The most frequent causes of failure are:

Drive issues: The external drive is unplugged, has a loose connection, or is failing. Windows may also fail to recognize a drive with a different file system (e.g., exFAT vs. NTFS).
Insufficient disk space: The backup drive is full, or the system drive lacks the temporary space needed to create a restore point.
Service interruptions: The Windows Backup service or the Volume Shadow Copy (VSS) service is stopped or disabled.
Corrupted system files: A damaged system file can prevent the backup engine from starting.
Antivirus interference: Some security software can block backup processes, mistaking them for malicious activity.
Power settings: If your PC sleeps or shuts down during a scheduled backup, it will fail.

Step-by-Step Fixes for Common Backup Errors

Before diving into complex solutions, try the simplest ones first. Many backup failures are resolved in under a minute.

Check the drive connection: Ensure the external drive is plugged in, powered on, and recognized by Windows. Open File Explorer and see if the drive appears under “This PC.” If not, try a different USB port or cable.
Run the built-in troubleshooter: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters (Windows 10) or Settings > System > Troubleshoot Other troubleshooters (Windows 11). Run the “Backup and Restore” or “File History” troubleshooter.
Restart the backup services: Open the Run dialog (Win+R), type services.msc, and press Enter. Find the following services, right-click each, and select Restart if they are running, or Start if they are stopped:
- Windows Backup
- Volume Shadow Copy
- Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider
Set their startup type to Automatic.
Free up space on the backup drive: If the drive is full, Windows will fail the backup. Delete old backups or move them to another drive. You can also increase the size of the backup drive by using a larger external drive.
Run System File Checker: Open Command Prompt as Administrator and type sfc /scannow. This scans for and repairs corrupted system files.
Disable antivirus temporarily: If you suspect your security software is blocking the backup, disable it briefly and try the backup again. If it works, add an exception for the backup process in your antivirus settings.
Adjust power settings: Go to Control Panel > Power Options and set your plan to High Performance or ensure the computer is set to never sleep during the scheduled backup time.

Fixing Specific Error Codes

Sometimes Windows gives you an error code. Here are the most common ones and what they mean:

0x80780038 / 0x8078002A: These usually indicate a problem with the backup destination drive. Check the drive for errors (right-click the drive in File Explorer, go to Properties > Tools > Check).
0x81000019: This error often appears when the backup drive is not connected or is not recognized. Reconnect the drive and try again.
0x81000037: This error means the backup drive is full. Delete older backups or use a larger drive.
0x80070005: This is a permissions error. Make sure you are logged in as an administrator, and that the backup drive is formatted with NTFS (right-click drive > Properties > File system).

If you see an error code not listed here, search for it on Microsoft’s official support site. The exact meaning can vary by Windows version.

How to Recover When Backup Fails Completely

If Windows Backup still won’t run, you may need to start fresh. Here’s how to reset the backup configuration:

Delete the backup catalog: Open the Run dialog, type %systemdrive%\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\FileHistory and press Enter. Delete the contents of this folder (if it exists). This resets File History’s catalog.
Recreate the backup: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Backup (Windows 10) or Settings > Accounts > Windows backup (Windows 11) and turn off File History. Then turn it back on and select a new drive.
Use a different backup tool: If Windows Backup is irreparably broken, consider using a third-party backup tool. Many are free and offer more features, like cloud backup and incremental backups.

Preventing Future Backup Failures

Once you’ve fixed the immediate problem, take these steps to avoid future headaches:

Keep your backup drive connected: If you use an external drive, leave it plugged in and powered on. If you use a network drive, ensure it’s always accessible.
Monitor disk space: Regularly check the free space on your backup drive. A good rule of thumb is to have at least 1.5 times the size of the data you’re backing up.
Set up backup notifications: Windows can send you a notification if a backup fails. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Backup and turn on “Get notifications from File History” (if available).
Test your backups: Periodically try to restore a file from your backup to ensure the data is actually recoverable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my backup say “Windows Backup failed” with no error code?

This often happens due to a temporary glitch or a full backup drive. Try running the backup again after restarting your PC. If it still fails, check the Event Viewer for more details (Event Viewer > Windows Logs > Application, look for warnings from the “Backup” source).

Can I backup to a network drive?

Yes, Windows Backup and File History support network drives. However, the drive must be mapped to a drive letter (e.g., Z:), and the network must be reliable. If the network drive disconnects, the backup will fail.

How do I fix “The backup drive is not available” error?

This error means Windows can’t see the drive. Reconnect the drive, try a different USB port, or check if the drive is formatted with NTFS (FAT32 is not supported for backup). Also, make sure the drive is not in a power-saving mode.

Does Windows Backup work if my PC is off?

No. Windows Backup only runs when your PC is on and not in sleep mode. If your PC is off at the scheduled time, the backup will be skipped. You can set the backup to run when the PC is next turned on.

What is the difference between File History and Backup and Restore?

File History is designed to back up personal files (Documents, Pictures, etc.) continuously to an external drive. Backup and Restore (Windows 7) creates full system images and can back up the entire system, including installed programs. Windows 11 still includes Backup and Restore, but it’s being phased out in favor of File History and cloud backup.

Is my backup encrypted?

Windows Backup does not encrypt the backed-up data by default. If you need encryption, you can use BitLocker on the backup drive (if you have Pro or Enterprise editions of Windows), or use a third-party tool that offers encryption.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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