Symantec Backup Exec - Snapshot Technology Initialization failure FIX

Error Description:

Backup Success with Exceptions

Backup
- Snapshot Technology: Initialization failure on "" Snapshot technology used: Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS).

V-79-10000-11226 - VSS Snapshot error. The Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) snapshot technology selected returned: "Unexpected provider error". Ensure that all provider services are enabled and can be started. Check the Windows Viewer for Details

Window Event Viewer

Volume Shadow Copy Service error: Error calling a routine on a Shadow Copy Provider {b5946137-7b9f-4925-af80-51abd60b20d5}. Routine details EndPrepareSnapshots({740e902c-ec91-446e-9c98-4fbc083864a5}) [hr = 0x80042302, A Volume Shadow Copy Service component encountered an unexpected error.
Check the Application event log for more information.
].


The Fix

All steps may not be needed.

1. Ensure that VSS Volume Shadow Copy Service is set to Manual startup type so that Backup Exec can initiate it when needed.

start - run - services.msc

2. Set Backup Exec to use the Volume Shadow Copy Service instead of letting it decide automatically

- Right click your Backup job and goto Edit
- Click Edit under the Backup Subheading
-  Under Advanced Open File , select snapshot provider as System - Use Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider.

3. Unplug any USB hard drives currently plugged into the Backup Server

This will most likely be the solution for 90% of ppl having this issue. If you have any usb harddrives currently plugged into the server that are not being used or are being used for other jobs for some reason these are interferring with the volume shadow copy service initializing.

Unplug the drive and give it a try it will most likely give you backup success without exceptions.