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 — 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
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 errorFollow the instructions in the Microsoft article Event ID 12347 — Volume Shadow Copy Service Operations.
Rebooting the server may resolve the issue.