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"Authentication failed, see inner exception" when doing a Bare Metal Restore from USB Recovery Media.

  • July 17, 2026
  • 8 comments
  • 318 views
S

I'm running the latest version of Windows 25H2 version, and Veeam version 13.0.3.1220.  I installed Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows Free version, and created the USB Recovery Media. I then did a test Bare Metal Restore. 

 

I immediately get the error: Authentication failed, see inner exception.

If I use old Recovery media created on an different PC, that is running an older Windows version with an older version of Veeam, the restore process works just fine. I don’t get the Authentication error.

 

I found a post on Reddit, where everyone was having this same problem. One poster said he opened a support ticket with Veeam, and they acknowledged the problem. But I can’t find any information on what Veeam is doing about this very significant bug.

 

Does anyone have an update on this bug? Is Veeam planning a fix, and where can I find a timeline? I’m not updating my Veeam version on the older PC, as I don’t want to introduce the bug on that PC.
 

Thank you.

      8 comments

      coolsport00
      Forum|alt.badge.img+23
      • coolsport00
      • Veeam Legend
      • July 17, 2026

      This is the 1st I’ve seen of this ​@Scooch . My suggestion is open a case with Veeam to log the bug (yes, still allowed to do so with Free Edition); I’d also maybe create a post over on the Veeam Forums and see if 1. it has been seen by the Veeam Product Managers there, and 2. If they have a resolution in the works.

      Best.

      Shane Williford - Veeam VMCA/VMCE+ | Veeam Legend | VUG Leader | VCP-DCV | Twitter: @coolsport00
        Chris.Childerhose
        Forum|alt.badge.img+22

        I have not seen any updates regarding this bug; however, there could be changes that address it when Veeam 13.1 releases later this month, as they tend to update the Agents as well.  Maybe hold off until then; otherwise you will need to open a case, as Shane suggested getting more details from support on the issue.

        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
          • Scooch
          • Author
          • Not a newbie anymore
          • July 17, 2026

          Thanks Shane and Chris.

          I did try and open a case, but must have been doing it wrong. I think I’ll wait until Veeam 13.1 before pushing harder. Clearly I’m a rookie on Veeam’s website, as I missed the Forum option all together. 

          Before I retired, I was in IT, and played a role in supporting Veeam for a large University in Canada. We used Veeam to backup a LOT of VMware virtual machines on Campus. When there was an issue, Veeam was all over us with support help. Mind you, the boss did write a big cheque. 

          If the problem is still there in 13.1, I’ll give opening a Support case another shot, and figure out the forums as well. I’ve cloned my USB Recovery media just in case😉

          Thanks for the help!

          Mark

           

           

            coolsport00
            Forum|alt.badge.img+23
            • coolsport00
            • Veeam Legend
            • July 18, 2026

            Sounds good ​@Scooch . Keep us posted. 

            Shane Williford - Veeam VMCA/VMCE+ | Veeam Legend | VUG Leader | VCP-DCV | Twitter: @coolsport00
            Chris.Childerhose
            Forum|alt.badge.img+22

            Sounds good and here is to 13.1 hopefully fixing it.  🤞

            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
              R
              • rmellentine
              • New Here
              • July 23, 2026

              I am seeing the same error

                C
                • c0urier
                • New Here
                • July 25, 2026

                We’ve sadly run into the exact same error.

                Windows 25H2 and Veeam 13.0.3.1220

                We tried to install an older version of Veeam (6.3.3.38) on a Windows 24H2, sadly this just gave a different error. Could you maybe point to the version you tried ​@Scooch and what Windows version you used?

                S
                • Scooch
                • Author
                • Not a newbie anymore
                • July 25, 2026

                c0urier

                I’m afraid I don’t know the Windows or Veeam version. I made the this USB Boot media quite a while back. I didn’t even expect it to work as it was made on a different PC, and I assumed the media was tied to the hardware via MAC address or something.

                But the old media worked just fine, the Auth error was gone, and the Bare Metal Restore worked perfectly. I’ve since used this same USB on another PC, and it worked as well. 

                My understanding is Veeam 13.1 is “supposed” to have a fix, and will be available “real soon now”. I find the lack of communication on the part of Veeam about this very serious bug appalling. 

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