Windows 11 Backup Is Not Working? No Worries! Fix It Here Now - Qiling  

Why Is Windows 11 Backup Not Working on Your PC? Check the Causes and Fixes Here Instantly


Windows 11 backup is not working for some users, causing issues when trying to create a backup on their PCs. This problem is not widespread, but it's still affecting some users. The following solutions can help fix the issue. 1) Check if the backup drive is properly connected and recognized by the system.

Windows 11 Backup Not Working? What Are the Causes?

Some Windows 11 users have experienced issues with the built-in backup feature, which has not been functioning properly, leaving them without a reliable way to protect their data.

Windows 11 backup not working

If you're experiencing symptoms like freezing, crashing, or shutdowns on your PC, it means you're having a hardware or software issue that needs to be addressed. This could be due to a faulty component, outdated drivers, or a malware infection, among other possibilities.

The causes of the backup not working issue on Windows 11 are largely the same, and they include issues with the Windows Backup service, corrupted system files, disk errors, and problems with the backup software itself, such as Acronis or EaseUS. Additionally, incorrect settings or configurations in the backup software, or conflicts with other system programs, can also lead to the backup not working issue on Windows 11.

To fix the issue of not being able to create backups of files and system on Windows 11 computers, follow these steps. Firstly, check if the issue is caused by a corrupted system file or a problem with the Windows Backup and Restore feature. If so, run the System File Checker (SFC) tool and the DISM tool to scan and replace any corrupted system files.

Key Takeaways of Windows 11 Backup Not Working:

  • Windows 11 backup not working issue is fixable.
  • It's a good idea to create a Windows 11 backup using third-party backup software to ensure your files and system are safe in case of any issues or data loss.
  • Fixes for Windows 11 backup not working issue are multiple, and we suggest you follow through with the fixes one by one. To resolve this issue, you can try restarting the Windows Backup service, checking the backup settings, running the built-in troubleshooter, updating Windows to the latest version, checking for disk space issues, and resetting the Windows Backup service.

Next, let's start getting rid of the "Windows 11 backup not working" issue now.

If you're experiencing issues with your Windows 10 or older operating system, you may want to try some fixes to resolve the problem. Alternatively, you can follow the tutorial links provided for further assistance.

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How Do You Fix the "Windows 11 Backup Not Working" Issue? 7 Fixes

If you're experiencing issues with Windows 11 backup not working, you can try the following 7 fixes to resolve the problem instantly. These fixes include checking the backup drive, updating Windows, running the System File Checker, running the DISM tool, running the Backup and Restore (Windows XML) service, checking the Event Viewer, and resetting the Windows Backup service.

Note that if you are newly updated to Windows 11 or installed the latest version of Windows 11 on your PC, follow and try Method 1 at first. If the error still exists, move to the next six solutions for help.

#1. Restart Windows 11 PC

When a computer is updated to a new Windows 11 version, it's recommended to restart the computer first to ensure all changes are applied.

Step 1. Save your document files, and close all running programs.

Step 2. Click the Windows icon, and click the Power button.

Step 3. Select "Restart" and then let the computer to reboot.

After this, you can try to backup Windows 11 with Windows Backup and Restore or third-party solutions for help.

If the issue persists after restarting Windows 11, don't worry! There are more solutions to try. You can continue with the next 6 solutions for help, which might resolve the problem and get you back to using your computer without any issues.

#2. Use Backup Software to Create Windows 11 Backup

Due to the causes of Windows 11 backup not working issue being multiple, it's wise to create a backup of essential Windows 11 data and the OS in advance. Third-party backup software like Qiling Backup Home can assist in backing up Windows computer content and the OS to an external hard drive, saving storage space on your PC with ease.

Step 1. To start backup, click the File backup button.

create file backup step1

Step 2. On the left-hand side, you'll see a list of local and network files. To select the files to be backed up, simply expand the directory to choose the desired files.

File backup

Step 3. Follow the instructions on the screen and choose the location where you want to store the backup.

File backup step3

Step 4. In the Backup Options, you can click Options to encrypt the backup with a password, allowing for customizable features and tailored backup operations to suit your needs.

backup options

Specify the backup schedule, and choose whether or not to start the backup at a certain event in Backup Scheme.

schedule backup

Step 5. Backups can be stored on a local disk, in Qiling's cloud service, or on a network attached storage device (NAS).

file backup step5

Step 6. Qiling Backup enables customers to securely back up their data to either a third-party cloud drive or Qiling's own cloud storage, providing a convenient and reliable solution for data protection.

To back up your data to a third-party cloud drive, select Local Drive, then scroll down to add Cloud Device and enter your account information.

Step 7. To start a backup, click Proceed. A card will appear on the list view panel once the backup process is complete, allowing you to view the backup job in more detail by clicking on it.

File backup step7

Qiling Backup helps you smartly manage your backups to save space on your computer with its features, including scheduling, incremental backups, and automatic deletion of old backups.

After creating a full backup of your Windows 11 data, you're now safe to try the next solutions to resolve the Windows 11 backup not working issue.

Here is a video tutorial that covers the most efficient solutions listed below, and you may follow to instantly get rid of this issue from your PC:

#3. Start Windows Backup Service

If the Windows backup service is disabled, you won't be able to create a backup on Windows 11, and backup options might be missing. To fix this, you can start the Windows Backup Service using the Registry Editor by following the steps to enable it.

Step 1. To access the Services console on Windows 11, right-click the Search icon and type "services", then click on Services from the search results.

Open Windows 11 services

Step 2. To start Windows Backup, find the program, double-click on it, click "Start" on the Windows Backup Properties window, and then click "OK" to confirm.

Start Windows 11 Services

If you're unable to start backing up your Windows 11 PC, try restarting your computer and then retry the backup process. If it still doesn't work, proceed with the next step.

#4. Change RPC ( Remote Procedure Call) to Automatic in Registry Editor

When Remote Procedure Call (RPC) is not enabled as automatic, Windows computers may encounter backup issues. To resolve this, enable Remote Procedure Call & RPC Endpoint Mapper to automatic in the Registry Editor by following the steps below:

Step 1. In the search box, type "services" and click "Services" to open it.

Step 2. To enable Remote Procedure Call (RPC), double-click on it in the list, then set the startup type to "Automatic" and click "OK" to confirm.

Step 3. Find and double-click RPC Endpoint Mapper, set the startup type to "Automatic", then click "OK" to confirm.

Change RPC services

Step 4. Now, close Registry Editor and restart Windows 11 to keep all the changes.

Now, you can start backing up Windows 11 on your PC. If you've executed the methods above and they work, congratulations - you can stop here. However, if not, it may be due to internal errors on the system drives or system files, and you'll need to try additional methods to fix the computer to a healthy state.

#5. Run Error Checking or CHKDSK on C Drive

Error Checking and CHKDSK are two Windows internal features that work together to check and fix file system errors on the system drive or data partitions, ensuring the integrity and stability of the operating system and data.

Here are the steps that you may follow to fix it by using Error Checking or CHKDSK on Windows 11: Run the built-in Error Checking tool to scan your drive for errors, or run the CHKDSK tool to check and fix any disk errors, which can help resolve the issue with your external drive not being recognized by your computer. This process can help identify and repair any corrupted system files, disk errors, or bad sectors on your external drive, which may be causing it to not be recognized.

Run Error Checking on System C Drive:

Step 1. Open File Explorer, right-click C drive, and select "Properties".

Step 2. To resolve the issue, go to the Tools tab and click on "Check" under the error checking section. This will allow you to check for and correct any errors in your document.

Step 3. Click "Scan drive" and let the app check and fix all errors found on the system's C drive.

Run error chekcing on Windows 11

Run CHKDSK to Fix Internal Errors on C Drive:

Step 1. To open Command Prompt as an administrator, click the Windows icon, select "Search", type "cmd" in the search box and right-click on Command Prompt, select "Run as Administrator".

Step 2. Type chkdsk C: /f /r /x and hit Enter.

Run chkdsk

Let the process complete and after this, restart Windows 11. Then, you can try to create a backup on Windows 11.

#6. Run SFC - System File Checker

Here are the steps to use SFC command to fix corrupted system files on Windows 11:

Step 1. To open Command Prompt in Windows 11, type "cmd" in the Search box, right-click on Command Prompt, and select "Run as Administrator" to open it.

Step 2. Type sfc /scannow and hit Enter.

Run SFC command

Wait patiently to let the scanning and repairing process complete. And then, you can retry to create Windows 11 backup then.

Some of you may wonder what's the difference between SFC and CHKDSK. The two commands serve different purposes, with SFC (System File Checker) scanning and repairing corrupted system files, and CHKDSK (Check Disk) checking and fixing disk errors, including bad sectors and file system corruption. Understanding the difference between these two tools can help you troubleshoot and resolve system issues more effectively.

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SFC and CHKDSK: How to Run SFC and Chkdsk

SFC (System File Checker) and CHKDSK (Check Disk) are two tools used to detect and repair corrupted system files and disk errors, respectively. While they share some similarities, SFC is specifically designed to scan and repair corrupted Windows system files, whereas CHKDSK is used to check and repair disk errors, including bad sectors and file system inconsistencies. In other words, SFC focuses on file corruption, whereas CHKDSK focuses on disk corruption. Both tools are essential for maintaining the health and integrity of a Windows system.

imge of sfc

#7. Run DISM Command to Restore Health to Windows 11

To repair a corrupted Windows installation, you can use the SFC command, which scans and replaces corrupted system files. Alternatively, running the DISM restore health command can also be an efficient method to repair the overall computer to a healthy state. This involves running the command "DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth" in the Command Prompt as an administrator, which will scan and repair corrupted system files and components.

Step 1. To open the Command Prompt on Windows 11, you can search for "cmd" and right-click on the result to open it.

Step 2. Type `dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth` in the command prompt window, and press Enter to execute the command.

Run dism command

Wait for the process to complete and close the window when you see a success message. Then, restart your Windows 11 computer and try creating a backup again.

Essential Notes:

If you've tried all the manual methods to fix Windows 11 backup not working issue and they didn't work, you're left with two options:

1. To back up everything on Windows 11, you can run third-party backup software like Qiling Backup, which allows you to schedule automatic backups of your entire system, including files, folders, and system settings. This method provides an additional layer of protection and peace of mind, ensuring that your important data is safely stored and can be easily restored in case of any issues or disasters.

2. To revert Windows 11 to a previous healthy state or reinstall Windows 11, you can download the Windows 11 ISO from its official site. This will allow you to either revert to a previous state or completely reinstall the operating system.

Windows 11 Backup Not Working Issue Is Completes and You Can Fix It with Correct Solutions

If you're having trouble creating a backup on Windows 11, don't worry - we've got the main causes listed on this page. Whether you're experiencing issues on Windows 11 or another version, these potential problems can help you troubleshoot and get your backups working smoothly.

If Windows 11 backup not working issue persists, try restarting your PC first. If that doesn't work, create a full backup of your computer data to an external hard drive using Qiling Backup. Then, try the next 5 manual and efficient solutions to resolve the issue. With patience and the correct solutions, you can fix the problem.

FAQs About Windows 11 Backup Not Working

Here we also connected some other hot questions that are related to Windows 11, and if you have the same doubts, follow and find the answers here:

1. Windows 11 Backup Stuck at 97%, What to Do?

If Windows 11 backup is stuck on your PC, try restarting the computer first. Then, check if your C drive is full, as a full drive can cause issues with the backup process.

2. Does Windows 11 have a Backup Program?

Windows 11 has two internal backup programs: Windows Backup and Restore, which creates a system image of the OS and performs disaster recovery from OS crashes or system failure errors.

File History is a program that creates backups of files and folders on the system C drive, helping you quickly recover missing files from these backups.

3. How do I use File History in Windows 11?

To run File History in Windows 11, you can follow these steps: Go to Settings, then select Update & Security, and finally, click on Backup. From there, you can toggle File History on, choose a drive to save your backups, and select how often you want them to be saved.

Step 1. To connect an external hard drive to a Windows 11 PC when your C drive is full, first, ensure the external drive is properly formatted for use with Windows. Then, plug the external drive into a USB port on your PC.

Step 2. To access the backup settings in Windows, go to the Settings app, select System, and then click on Storage. From there, click on Backup Options.

Step 3. Click "Add a drive" under Back up using File History.

Add drive to use file history

Step 4. To enable automatic file backup, turn on the feature and then select the specific files you want to back up by clicking on "More options".

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