Step one: From the Time Machine preference window, uncheck the box next to Back Up Automatically to turn off Time. Step two: Next up, open the Spotlight preference pane on your Mac and then select the Privacy tab. Manually Empty Trash when Time Machine Backup Files are Stuck This requires the use of force delete through the Terminal, which makes it a bit more advanced. If you don’t know what you’re doing or are not comfortable with Terminal you may want to skip this entirely and just wait out the incredibly lengthy Trash deletion through Finder instead.
- Updated on 2019-12-10 to Mac Data Recovery
For Mac OS X users, Time Machine is not strange. It is a backup software application that keeps a copy of all your files, and allows you to restore the whole system or specific files whenever you need. Recently, however, we found that many users are discussing on forums about Time Machine backup error and failure. Are you wondering why Time Machine failed to backup? This article contains answers to many common issues about Time Machine backup and troubleshoots to alert messages while time machine could not complete the backup.
Troubleshooting-Time Machine Failed to Complete Backup
If you lost files due to backup failure, UltFone Mac Data Recovery can help you recover with no worries. It supports to recover videos, photos, documents, app data and more after deletion or format.
Solution to First Backup Failure
If this is your first backup, or the first time to a new external drive/partition, the most common cause might be that the drive has not been formatted properly. Follow the steps to set up using Disk Utility.
- Open Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities folder.
- Select Startup drive, it usually names Macintosh HD on the second line of the side bar. On the bottom you will see detailed information of this HD.
- In Format it is Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
- Select the line for your external drive that you set up to backup files. If you are not sure, please check in Time Machine Preferences.
- The format of this drive should be the same as your Startup drive. If they are not the same, you need to erase the partition and select the format to the same as Startup drive.
If Time Machine is still unable to complete a backup, please note the alert message it sends. If you missed it, you can open Time Machine preferences, and click the red 'I' icon for more info.
Solutions to Specific Alert Messages When Time Machine Failed to Complete the Backup
Regardless of what warning message it appears, firstly you should make sure your software is up-to-date.
Messages you may receive while Time Machine failing to complete a backup:
Message 1: The backup volume is read only
- Turn Time Machine Off: Launch System Preferences >Time Machine, move the slider to OFF.
- If your backups are on an external HD, please eject the drive from your computer and disconnect it for a while. And then restart the Mac to connect the drive again.
Message 2: Time Machine could not complete the backup.
The entire alert message like this: Iconkit 4 2 – icon resizer for app development.
Usually this problem can be resolved after you restart the Mac. If this does not help, please format your external HDD and create a new partition for your backups.
Message 3: An error occurred while copying files.
This message occurs for no specific reason. Restart and then try the backup once again should fix it.
Message 4: The backup disk is almost full
When the backup is disk full and lock of enough space, the Time Machine will delete old backups to make room for new ones. If you are not willing to remove old backups, please open Time Machine preferences to set up a new backup disk.
Message 5: No volumes to be backed up were available.
Open System Preferences, in Time Machine preferences pane, click Options. Please check and confirm you have not excluded all available volumes.
Conclusion
We wish you can fix the Time Machine backup issues disturbing you. If the problems you are having do not include here, write on the comment and we will respond as soon as we can. If you lose files on Mac, the Mac Data Recovery aims to help you recover deleted files.
Time Machine system requirements
Before using Time Machine, you need an external storage solution, sold separately:
![Mac Won T Backup To Time Machine Mac Won T Backup To Time Machine](https://homebasesoftware.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/wpid2090-pastedgraphic-2.png?w=540&h=386)
- External hard drive connected to a USB, FireWire or Thunderbolt port on your Mac
- Time Capsule or macOS Server on your network
- External hard drive connected to the USB port of an AirPort Extreme Base Station (802.11ac) on your network
If your back-up drive isn't connected using one of these methods, Time Machine may not work. Check with the device manufacturer for compatibility and connection information.
If your setup meets these requirements, but you still can't use Time Machine, check these things:
Check your Mac
- Make sure that your Mac software is up to date.
- Restart your Mac and see if the issue continues.
Check your AirPort base station
- If you're using an AirPort Time Capsule or a drive connected to an AirPort Extreme Base Station, make sure that your AirPort firmware is up to date.
- Restart your base station and see if the issue continues. To restart, unplug the base station from AC power for 5 seconds, then plug it back in.
Check your network connection
If you back up to a server, AirPort Time Capsule or drive connected to your AirPort Extreme Base Station, make sure that your Mac is connected to the same network as your back-up drive. You can select your wireless network from the Wi-Fi status menu.
Check your back-up
If you back up to a server, AirPort Time Capsule or drive connected to your AirPort Extreme Base Station, make sure that your current Time Machine back-up doesn't have any issues that could prevent further back-ups:
- While holding down the Option key on your keyboard, click the Time Machine menu in the menu bar, then choose Verify Backups.
- If Time Machine finds an issue with your back-up, it displays a message with details. Follow the on-screen instructions.
Mac Won't Backup To Time Machine
Check your drives
- If you're using a drive connected to a port on your Mac or AirPort Extreme Base Station, make sure that the drive is turned on.
- If you're using a USB hub or a similar device, try connecting the drive directly to your Mac or base station.
- If you're backing up to an external third-party drive, check with the drive manufacturer to make sure that the drive's firmware is up to date.
- If you're backing up to an external drive, check the formatting of the drive. Time Machine requires that an external drive be formatted like a Mac startup disc: Mac OS Extended (Journaled) with a GUID Partition Table (GPT). If you select a differently formatted drive for use with Time Machine, your Mac automatically prompts you to erase it for Time Machine.
Reformatting a disc erases all data stored on the disc, so you may want to move important files to another disc first.
If your drive is already formatted correctly, turn off Time Machine, then check it for problems:
- To check the drive of an AirPort Time Capsule, follow the steps to verify an AirPort Time Capsule drive.
- To check an external drive connected to your Mac, open Disc Utility from the Utilities folder of your Applications folder. Then use the First Aid feature in Disc Utility to verify your disc. Do this for your startup disc as well.
Mac Time Machine Not Working
![Mac Mac](https://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/time-machine-verifying-window.png)
Time Machine Backup Troubleshooting
You can turn Time Machine back on after your drives are verified or repaired successfully.