Troubleshooting VSS Writer Error

Symptoms

If the backup fails with Exit Code -311, check the <Unixtime>.log file in the installation path's logs folder. If you see an error related to VSS Writer, it's likely that the snapshot couldn't be created.

Error sample

—- log excerpt —-
07/13/2017 04:37:54.439 VssStart()
07/13/2017 04:37:54.538 Using Common Provider
07/13/2017 04:40:43.790 com exception caught(0x8000ffff) in VssStart
07/13/2017 04:40:43.957 [07/13/2017 13:40:43.787] OUTPUT:
ERROR: Selected writer ‘System Writer’ is in failed state!
   – Status: 9 (VSS_WS_FAILED_AT_FREEZE)
   – Writer Failure code: 0x800423f2 (<Unknown error code>)
   – Writer ID: {e8132975-6f93-4464-a53e-1050253ae220}
   – Instance ID: {ab13e0da-0a8b-48c4-ab4f-eabe2b3d01fe}
——————

The error code 0x800423f2, also known as VSS_E_WRITERERROR_TIMEOUT, indicates that a timeout occurred while trying to create a snapshot. This is a common error for VSS Writers.

0x800423f1 :
VSS_E_WRITERERROR_OUTOFRESOURCES

MessageText :
This indicates that the writer failed due to a lack of memory, handles, or other resource allocation issues.

0x800423f2 :
VSS_E_WRITERERROR_TIMEOUT

MessageText :
Indicates that the writer failed due to a timeout between freeze and thaw.

0x800423f3 :
VSS_E_WRITERERROR_RETRYABLE

MessageText :
Indicates that the writer failed due to an error that might not occur if another snapshot is created.

0x800423f4 :
VSS_E_WRITERERROR_NONRETRYABLE

MessageText :
Indicates that the writer failed due to an error that most likely would occur if another snapshot is created.

Workarounds

– 0x800423f1

This is caused by not having enough resources. Please address the resource shortage. 

1) Perform backup after OS reboot

2) Upgrade to AIP2018. It's been updated to fix this error. If you can't resolve it with the upgrade or the previous method, check the Windows event log for the root cause. 

– 0x800423f2

Writer timeout (default 60 seconds) happens due to heavy disk I/O, low memory, or high CPU usage.

1) Please schedule the backup during low disk I/O

2) Upgrade to AIP2018. It's designed to fix this error. If timeouts persist, try backing up during periods of lower activity. 

– 0x800423f3

Because of the Writer's retry error, try backing up again periodically or after rebooting the operating system.

1) Retry backup

2) Perform backup after OS reboot

3) Upgrade to AIP2018. It's updated to fix this error. If the problem persists, check the Windows event log to find the root cause. 

– 0x800423f4

Because of the Writer's non-retry error, you need to investigate the root cause in the Windows event log.

Target Product

– ActiveImage Protector 3.5 / 2016 /2018 Windows
– ActiveImage Protector 4 / 5

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