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MSMQ VSS error

S
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Version 13.0.1

I am backing up to LTO 4 tape drives.   I have one job that backs up drive M: and N: backups.   One backup I get this error on drive M: and the next time on drive N:.   

5/31/2026 7:27:36 AM Warning : Failed to create a VSS snapshot for M: Details: Writer 'MSMQ Writer (MSMQ)' is failed at 'VSS_WS_FAILED_AT_PREPARE_BACKUP'. The writer's timeout expired between the Freeze and Thaw events. --tr:Failed to verify writers state. --tr:Failed to create VSS snapshot. --tr:Failed to perform pre-backup tasks. (0:00:15)

I changed the VSS timeout to 20 minutes
I ran chkdsk and analyze and optimize on both drives.  No errors.   Windows 10 does it weekly.   More than 50% available on both drives.   I have rebooted the tape server.   I restarted the services.   The jobs are not big.  M: is around 50GB.   N: is 350GB.   I never had this issue on 11A. 

Still get these errors.
 



 

Best answer by Link State

hi ​@SCSIraidGURU 

 

  • After job fail check Event Viewer Application ans System logsand post here error.

try this step:

  • Check whether Message Queuing 
dism /online /get-features | findstr MSMQ

Restart MSMQ service

If MSMQ is installed but not used by any application

Remove-WindowsFeature MSMQ
  • Try Restart VSS

check error

vssadmin list writers

net stop vss
net stop swprv
net start swprv
net start vss

  • Verify shadow storage
vssadmin list shadowstorage

Extend shadow storage

vssadmin resize shadowstorage /for=M: /on=M: /maxsize=20%

and try ti start the backup jobs

    10 comments

    Chris.Childerhose
    Forum|alt.badge.img+21

    You will need to investigate the VSS writer for SQL based on the error.  If that turns up nothing then support is the next best route.

    Chris Childerhose (Enterprise Architect) - VMCE+ | VMCA | VMCE | VMCE-SP | Veeam Vanguard 8* | Veeam Legend 5* | VUG Canada Leader | vExpert 7* | Toronto VMUG Leader | VCAP-DCV/VCP-DCV/VCP-VVF | Object First Ace | Cisco Champion | Twitter: @cchilderhose | Blog Site – https://just-virtualization.tech
      Marcel.K
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      • Marcel.K
      • Veeam Legend
      • June 1, 2026

      Hi,

      looks like the issue is with VSS writers as ​@Chris.Childerhose wrote.

      Did you try to reinstall MSMQ?

       

       

      Marcel Kačmár | VCSP Partner 2022 | VMCE 2024 | VMCA 2024 | Veeam Legend 2025 |
        dips
        Forum|alt.badge.img+7
        • dips
        • On the path to Greatness
        • June 1, 2026

        Try running the following to check if any of the writers are in an error state:

        vssadmin list writers

        Dipen N. K. | IT Security Specialist | Veeam Legend 2022 - 2025 | Former Cyber Security Space VUG Leader
          Link State
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          • Link State
          • Veeam Legend
          • Answer
          • June 1, 2026

          hi ​@SCSIraidGURU 

           

          • After job fail check Event Viewer Application ans System logsand post here error.

          try this step:

          • Check whether Message Queuing 
          dism /online /get-features | findstr MSMQ

          Restart MSMQ service

          If MSMQ is installed but not used by any application

          Remove-WindowsFeature MSMQ
          • Try Restart VSS

          check error

          vssadmin list writers

          net stop vss
          net stop swprv
          net start swprv
          net start vss

          • Verify shadow storage
          vssadmin list shadowstorage

          Extend shadow storage

          vssadmin resize shadowstorage /for=M: /on=M: /maxsize=20%

          and try ti start the backup jobs

          Veeam: VMCA | VMCE | VMXP | Veeam Legend - Microsoft: MVP | MCITP | MCP | MCSA | 2008 R2 | 2012R2 | 2016 | MCSE Core Infrastructure | MCSE Cloud Platform - Azure: AZ900 | AZ104| AZ500|AZ305 - AWS Cloud Practitioner - VMWare: VCP-DCV Vsphere 7.x - Cisco: CCNA (Expired) | ‪@linkstate.bsky.social‬
            S
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            • SCSIraidGURU
            • Author
            • Comes here often
            • June 1, 2026

            M:  Are Ubuntu VMs only one of them has MariaDB on it, my web server.  N: is Family pictures and installation files.  No databases.   I upgraded to 13.0.2 last night.  Will test it again soon.  I will check what you posted.   

              S
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              • SCSIraidGURU
              • Author
              • Comes here often
              • June 1, 2026

              I disabled MSMQ and will see what happens.   From what I read I don’t use it. 

                Chris.Childerhose
                Forum|alt.badge.img+21

                I disabled MSMQ and will see what happens.   From what I read I don’t use it. 

                Sounds good, keep us posted.  Hopefully, this addresses the issues.

                Chris Childerhose (Enterprise Architect) - VMCE+ | VMCA | VMCE | VMCE-SP | Veeam Vanguard 8* | Veeam Legend 5* | VUG Canada Leader | vExpert 7* | Toronto VMUG Leader | VCAP-DCV/VCP-DCV/VCP-VVF | Object First Ace | Cisco Champion | Twitter: @cchilderhose | Blog Site – https://just-virtualization.tech
                  S
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                  • SCSIraidGURU
                  • Author
                  • Comes here often
                  • June 2, 2026

                  No errors.   76 MB/s processing 114 MB/s throughput to LTO tape drive.

                  403Gb in 1 h 32 min.

                  Succeeded : Busy: Source 0% > Proxy 18% > Network 1% > Target 97%

                    Chris.Childerhose
                    Forum|alt.badge.img+21

                    Great to hear ​@SCSIraidGURU 👍

                    Chris Childerhose (Enterprise Architect) - VMCE+ | VMCA | VMCE | VMCE-SP | Veeam Vanguard 8* | Veeam Legend 5* | VUG Canada Leader | vExpert 7* | Toronto VMUG Leader | VCAP-DCV/VCP-DCV/VCP-VVF | Object First Ace | Cisco Champion | Twitter: @cchilderhose | Blog Site – https://just-virtualization.tech
                      Link State
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                      • Link State
                      • Veeam Legend
                      • June 3, 2026

                      ​@SCSIraidGURU 

                      Please select the answer that was most helpful to you in resolving the issue.
                      Thank you

                      Veeam: VMCA | VMCE | VMXP | Veeam Legend - Microsoft: MVP | MCITP | MCP | MCSA | 2008 R2 | 2012R2 | 2016 | MCSE Core Infrastructure | MCSE Cloud Platform - Azure: AZ900 | AZ104| AZ500|AZ305 - AWS Cloud Practitioner - VMWare: VCP-DCV Vsphere 7.x - Cisco: CCNA (Expired) | ‪@linkstate.bsky.social‬
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