Why is my Time Machine stuck on preparing backup?
Why is my Time Machine stuck on preparing backup?
I have been experiencing a persistent issue with my Mac’s Time Machine where it seems to get stuck on the “preparing backup” phase. This problem has been ongoing for a while now, and it’s becoming quite frustrating. Each time I initiate a backup, Time Machine begins the process but never progresses beyond the initial “preparing backup” step. I’ve tried waiting, thinking maybe it just needs more time, but even after several hours, there is no progress.
It appears that there is some underlying issue causing this hang-up, and I’m not sure what it could be. I haven’t made any recent changes to my system that I can think of, and my external drive has plenty of available space. Due to this problem, I am unable to back up my important files and data, which is worrying because I rely on these backups for my work. It’s crucial for me to understand why this is happening and what might be wrong with my Time Machine setup.
6 Answers
Verify that the hard drive used for the Time Machine backup is in healthy condition. Open the Disk Utility application on your Mac, then use the “First Aid” feature to check for and repair any errors on the drive. This step could resolve problems that cause the backup to get stuck on the “preparing backup” phase.
A likely cause of Time Machine getting stuck is file corruption within the backup source itself. Navigate to System Preferences > Time Machine, then use the ‘Exclude’ feature to temporarily remove extensive folders from the backup selection. These may include the ‘Downloads’ folder or extensive application data folders.
Check the Console log application for detailed insights as to what Time Machine is doing. Launch Console, filter results with ‘backupd,’ and look for frequent errors or logs that indicate hiccups in the backup process.
Reconnecting the Time Machine drive directly to MacBook, instead of through any docks or hubs, ensures a stable, high-speed connection, which sometimes alleviates the problem.
If your Mac has limited free storage, that may also be a cause. Time Machine requires temporary space on the source disk while preparing backups. Ensure ample storage is available on your Mac’s hard drive by moving some files off temporarily.
Personally, I found that Time Machine gets stuck on “preparing backup” often when there’s a spotlight indexing issue. To address it, open the Terminal application and run the command sudo mdutil -a -i off to disable Spotlight. Once done, try running the backup again.
Another effective measure is refreshing the System Management Controller (SMC) settings. Shut down the computer and then simultaneously press the (Shift-Control-Option) keys and the power button for 10 seconds. Release all keys and the power button, then turn my Mac back on.
Lastly, ensure that my Time Machine drive is not formatted with an outdated file system. My drive should be formatted as Mac OS Extended (Journaled) or APFS for optimal functionality. If not, I back up the drive contents and reformat it to the appropriate file system type.
- Restart your Mac to clear temporary data that might be causing the problem. Upon rebooting, run Time Machine again to see if the issue persists.
- Sometimes, large quantities of temporary files or system caches can inhibit the backup process. Cleaning these up could help Time Machine proceed with its task. Use a reliable Mac cleanup tool, or manually clear out old caches.
- Ensure your macOS is up to date. Go to System Preferences > Software Update and install any pending macOS updates. Sometimes, system bugs are addressed in subsequent software releases.
- Lastly, start Time Machine in Safe Mode to ensure that no other application or service is interrupting the backup process. Boot into Safe Mode by holding down the Shift key while your Mac starts up until you see the login window. Attempt the backup again while in this mode to see if it completes.
- Ensure no other applications are running. Other applications may use up system resources or accidentally lock files needed for the backup. Close all other programs before starting my backup.
- Inspect the Time Machine Preferences. Check if specific folders are excluded from the backup process. Sometimes, large folders like the system cache or iCloud Drive might slow down the backup considerably. Exclude these folders temporarily to see if the backup proceeds.
- Another trick is to manually reset Time Machine. Navigate to the Time Machine disk and delete the “.inProgress” file if it exists. This action allows Time Machine to start fresh on the next backup attempt.
- Consider the possibility of a corrupt backup. Rename the existing backup folder on your Time Machine drive to something like “Old Backups” and let Time Machine start a new backup from scratch.
- Sometimes anti-virus software or system protection tools may interfere with Time Machine. Temporarily disabling these and adding exceptions for Time Machine files might help.
- If all else fails, contact Apple Support. Their technicians can provide advanced steps and guidance tailored specifically to your Mac’s configuration.