This article applies to:
Product edition: inSync Client
Overview
This article explains why a Druva inSync backup fails with the error inSync cannot backup servers and describes how to identify and resolve the condition that causes it. It applies to devices that run the inSync Client and are detected as servers. Use this article when a device stops backing up and reports this error in the inSync Client or in the Druva Management Console activity stream.
Symptoms
You may observe one or more of the following:
A backup started from the inSync Client fails immediately or shortly after it starts.
The inSync Client displays the following error message:
inSync cannot backup servers. Please contact administrator.
The inSync Client log records the following error code:
#1000000cc
The affected device continues to appear as active in the Druva Management Console, but no new backup completes.
Traceback
The inSync Client log records a traceback similar to the following. Timestamps, line numbers, and file paths vary by client version.
[2026-07-19 22:14:36,692] [WARNING] Backup failed. Error: inSync cannot backup servers. Please contact administrator. (#1000000cc)
[2026-07-19 22:14:36,899] [DEBUG] Traceback (most recent call last):
File "inSyncLib\inSyncSyncer.pyc", line 4782, in sync
File "inSyncLib\inSyncSyncer.pyc", line 5332, in dosync
File "inSyncLib\inSyncRPCBase.pyc", line 776, in __call__
File "inSyncLib\inSyncRPCBase.pyc", line 1435, in _safe_request
File "inSyncLib\inSyncRPCBase.pyc", line 1441, in _issue_request
File "inSyncLib\inSyncRPCBase.pyc", line 949, in _issue_request
File "inSyncLib\inSyncRPCBase.pyc", line 991, in __wait_response
inSyncLib.inSyncError.SyncError: inSync cannot backup servers. Please contact administrator. (#1000000cc)
What the error means
The inSync backend rejected the backup request because the device was identified as a server. The inSync Client is designed to protect endpoints such as laptops, desktops, and workstations. It does not protect server operating systems or server workloads.
The error is a supportability control rather than a fault on the device. Neither reinstalling the inSync Client nor restarting the backup resolves it while the device is still detected as a server.
Cause
The inSync Client is installed on a device that is running a server operating system. Because server backup is outside the supported scope of the inSync Client, the backup request is rejected and the backup fails.
Resolution
inSync Client does not back up servers.