Troubleshooting

A backup didn't run

When a backup set didn't run, its card in Data Backup says why — usually a condition you set, such as only on power or outside working hours, a destination that isn't connected, or a passphrase it needs. Back up now always starts one straight away.

Last updated Markdown

When a backup didn't run, the set's card in Data Backup says why in a sentence. Most often it's waiting on purpose — for power, for Wi-Fi, for your working hours to end, or for the destination drive to be connected — or it needs a passphrase from you. Back up now starts a backup straight away whatever the conditions, so it's also the quickest test.

What you might see on the card

Status or messageWhat it means
Waiting for power — you asked for backups to run only when plugged in.Plug your Mac in, or change the condition.
Waiting for Wi-Fi — you asked for backups to stay off hotspots.You're on a personal hotspot. It runs once you're back on Wi-Fi.
Waiting until … — you asked for backups to stay out of these hours.It's inside the hours you set aside.
Paused while your Mac is busy — … It picks up where it left off on its own.Storage Studio stepped aside while you needed the Mac.
Waiting for a faster connection — the upload to … is running at about …, which is too slow to finish a backup.Automatic cloud backups wait for a better connection. Back up now still works.
Set a backup passphrase for “…” before its first cloud backup.Click Set passphrase….
That backup passphrase didn't match.Click Re-enter passphrase…. Automatic runs stop trying until you do.
Couldn't reach the backup destination … Connect the drive or check your network.The drive isn't connected, or the network is down.
The last backup didn't finish — Storage Studio closed while it was running.It picks up where it left off; use Back up now when you're ready.
Not backed upIt hasn't run yet — check it has folders to back up and a trigger.

Likely causes

  • A condition you set is holding it — The Mac is plugged in, Not on a personal hotspot, or Stay out of my working hours.
  • The trigger is Only when I ask — "Nothing happens until you press Back up now."
  • The destination isn't there. For an automatic run, an unreachable drive doesn't turn the card red; it waits quietly and tries again once the drive is back.
  • A passphrase is missing or wrong.
  • The Mac was asleep or Storage Studio wasn't running at the scheduled time.
Why a backup set might not have run

How to fix it

  1. Open Data Backup (Versioned)… from the More menu and find the set.
  2. Read the sentence on its card and act on it — plug in, connect the drive, or enter the passphrase.
  3. Click Change… to review When to back up and its Only when conditions if they no longer suit you.
  4. Click Back up now to run it straight away. A manual backup ignores the power, hotspot and working-hours conditions.

Good to know

  • Missed times don't pile up. If your Mac was asleep at one or more scheduled times, they're combined into a single backup when it can next run, rather than several back to back.
  • Battery. While a backup runs, Storage Studio keeps the Mac awake if it's plugged in or the battery is above 30%. Below that, it lets the Mac sleep and the backup carries on later from where it stopped. With the lid closed on battery, macOS sleeps regardless.

See also: Data Backup · Backup schedules and triggers · What backup messages mean · The backup passphrase · Backup speed, battery and the network · Something's not working: start here

troubleshootingbackups

What links here