Time Machine warning: An error occured while creating a backup folder. What to do???

If you have more than one user account, these instructions must be carried out as an administrator.
Launch the Console application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Console in the icon grid.
Make sure the title of the Console window is All Messages. If it isn't, select All Messages from the SYSTEM LOG QUERIES menu on the left. If you don't see that menu, select
View ▹ Show Log List
from the menu bar.
Enter the word "Starting" (without the quotes) in the String Matching text field. You should now see log messages with the words "Starting * backup," where * represents any of the words "automatic," "manual," or "standard." Note the timestamp of the last such message that corresponds to an abnormal backup. Now
CLEAR THE WORD "Starting" FROM THE TEXT FIELD
so that all messages are showing, and scroll back in the log to the time you noted. Select the messages timestamped from then until the end of the backup, or the end of the log if that's not clear. Copy them to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C. Paste (command-V) into a reply to this message.
If all you see are messages that contain the word "Starting," you didn't clear the text field.
If there are runs of repeated messages, post only one example of each. Don't post many repetitions of the same message.
When posting a log extract, be selective. Don't post more than is requested.
Please do not indiscriminately dump thousands of lines from the log into this discussion.
Some personal information, such as the names of your files, may be included — anonymize before posting.

Similar Messages

When I tried to back up my computer, Time Machine says 'an error occurred while creating the backup folder.' When I check the side of the partition where I manually saved old files, the folders are there, but NONE of the files are.

I haven't backed up my computer in over a year. When I tried to back it up today, Time Machine says 'an error occurred while creating the backup folder.' When I check the side of the partition where I manually saved old photos and documents (including all the pictures from the year I studied abroad/traveled a bunch), the folders are there, but NONE of the files are.
Does anyone have any idea what the problem might be, or how I could fix it? I really don't want to lose all those photos

So you were doing a time machine backup to another partition on the same hard drive? Just trying to gather some information so i can provide a helpful response.

Time machine says: An error occurred while creating the backup folder

I noticed the time machine icon showing an error in the menu bar, and it displayed the following error message: Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder.
This has happened 2-3 times. If I remount the drive the Time Machine works fine for about a day before giving me the same error again. I have Time Machine set to use one of the partitions on my 2TB external usb hard drive.
I used Time Machine Buddy to look at the logs and it says this:
Starting standard backup
Backing up to: /Volumes/TIME/Backups.backupdb
Error: (22) setxattr for key:com.apple.backupd.HostUUID path:/Volumes/TIME/Backups.backupdb/grasshopper size:37
Backup failed with error: 2

I think this is not just a problem with time machine because I had the same problem with a 4 drive raid array that was created on my MBP, then when I bought my MP i hooked it up and there were immediately problems similar to your description. First the array would spin up but was very slow to copy to. I tried to delete the array but was unsuccessful. ultimately i had to re boot the array as an incomplete (3 drives instead of 4) then zero the drives and creat a new set. I used 3 instead of 4 this time just in case it was a power issue. The new array worked fine and copied files at acceptable speeds. Then after working in itunes for about 2 hours, i started getting spinning balls which is strange for a MP 6 core with 16 gb ram and a 5870 with a striped "0" work disk. It was the raid set again. I realized that it must have something to do with conflicts between a program indirectly using the drive(mds,spotlight,time machine etc.) and the program diirectly using the drive(itunes). Anyway...this worked for me.
the instructions in the following thread fixed for the time being.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3200951?start=0&tstart=0

HT3275 what do I do when time machine says: Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder?

I am trying to back up my imac using an external storage: My passport Studio 1TB. Each time it trys to back up Time machine says: Unable to complete back up. An error occurred while creating the backup folder. Does anyone know how I can fix this problem? Thanks

Plowie,
Do a search in Discussions, "An error occurred while creating the backup folder."
Many of us are having this problem and no fix has been offered, that I could find.
Unless you call "eject the external HDD; turn off; turn back on" a fix. That's what I have to do every 2 or 3 days; I even have to "force eject", with the concomitant warning message that you could lose data, etc.

HT3275 I get the following message - "Time Machine could not complete the backup." "Unable to complete backup." "An error occurred while creating the backup folder.""

I get the following message - "Time Machine could not complete the backup." "Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder.""
This MAC is partioned with Windows 7 with only 50 gig devoted to Windows so my son can play Flight Simulator X on the machine.
I have a WD Passport External Hard Drive for the Back Up
I have spoken with WD Tech Support and they have been fantastic but I still keep getting this message. Any thought?
Maxx

Reboot the TC.. it sometimes gets lost on the network.. are you still actually using 10.6.8 as the problem is more prevalent on Lion and ML it seems is no better.
You might find reset of the TC is needed. change the names to short, no spaces pure alphanumeric.
Reset the TM to the new name.. use the A4 in Pondini's great KB.
http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html

I am trying to use Time Machine to back-up to an external hard drive and I get the following message.Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder. Does anyone know what I should do?

I am trying to use Time Machine to back-up to an external hard drive and I get the following message.Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder. Does anyone know what I should do?

Hello Drake, I suspect one or more of the Drives needs repairing, but...
Have you looked through Pondini's extensive TM help site?
http://Pondini.org/TM/FAQ.html
http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html
Can't imaging something not being covered there.

HT3275 Time machine couldn't complete the backup. an error occured while creating the backup folder

Time machine couldn't complete the backup. an error occured while creating the backup folder Why does this happen?

hello,
http://pondini.org/TM/C10.html
http://Pondini.org/TM/FAQ.html
http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html
Can't imaging something not being covered there.

Hello I bought a G-Raid GR4 4000 4 TB and used it for a backup with my new Imac27. Now this is all I get. "Time Machine couldn't complete the backup to "G-RAID". to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder.

Hello I bought a G-Raid GR4 4000 4 TB and used it for a backup with my new Imac27. Now this is all I get. "Time Machine couldn’t complete the backup to “G-RAID”. to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder."
Any idea what I should do?

If you have more than one user account, these instructions must be carried out as an administrator.
Launch the Console application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Console in the icon grid.
Make sure the title of the Console window is All Messages. If it isn't, select All Messages from the SYSTEM LOG QUERIES menu on the left. If you don't see that menu, select
View ▹ Show Log List
from the menu bar.
Enter the word "Starting" (without the quotes) in the String Matching text field. You should now see log messages with the words "Starting * backup," where * represents any of the words "automatic," "manual," or "standard." Note the timestamp of the last such message. Clear the text field and scroll back in the log to that time. Select the messages timestamped from then until the end of the backup, or the end of the log if that's not clear. Copy them (command-C) to the Clipboard. Paste (command-V) into a reply to this message.
If all you see are messages that contain the word "Starting," you didn't clear the search box.
If there are runs of repeated messages, post only one example of each. Don't post many repetitions of the same message.
When posting a log extract, be selective. Don't post more than is requested.
Please do not indiscriminately dump thousands of lines from the log into this discussion.
Some personal information, such as the names of your files, may be included — anonymize before posting.

HT3275 The error message I get with Time Machine is 'Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder.' Any idea how I solve this problem?

I am a little perplexed. The Time Machine does seem to be backing up my data but I continually get the following message displayed on my screen 'Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder.' I am using a WD My Passport for Mac portable hard disk drive.

Hi Peter,
http://pondini.org/TM/C10.html

HT3275 Time Machine Problem? Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder.

Time machine is having trouble. This is the error message... Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder.
Ideas?

Reboot the TC.. if that is not enough reboot the whole network.. from off, restart in order.. modem.. TC.. clients 2min gap.

Time Machine Error: Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder.

Hi,
I'm using time machine to do my backups but now is not working.
I'm getting the following error:
Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder.
Thanks for your help

See #C10 in Time Machine - Troubleshooting.

How do I solve the problem that states: An error occurred while creating the backup folder" on Time Machine

How do I solve the problem that states: An error occurred while creating the backup folder" on Time Machine

Please carefully read and also book mark:
Time Machine Troubleshooting
Time Machine FAQs

TS1550 Time Machine worked fine w. new HD for 16 backups, but started giving this mssg: [TIME MACHINE COULDN'T COMPLETE THE BACKUP TO "TOSHIBA EXT" ...An error occurred while creating the backup folder]

Time Machine worked fine w. new HD for 16 backups, but started giving this mssg: [TIME MACHINE COULDN'T COMPLETE THE BACKUP TO "TOSHIBA EXT" ...An error occurred while creating the backup folder]

Make sure your hard drive is formatted properly for the operating system installed. Go to Apple menu -> About This Mac to determine what it is. You posted to the 10.5 forum, but your signature says you have 10.9. Here is the tip on what formatting supports what operating systems:
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3003

Error: Time Machine couldn't complete the backup to Time Capsule - Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder.

error: Time Machine couldn't complete the backup to Time Capsule - Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder.

If you have more than one user account, these instructions must be carried out as an administrator.
Launch the Console application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Console in the icon grid.
Make sure the title of the Console window is All Messages. If it isn't, select All Messages from the SYSTEM LOG QUERIES menu on the left. If you don't see that menu, select
View ▹ Show Log List
from the menu bar.
Enter the word "Starting" (without the quotes) in the String Matching text field. You should now see log messages with the words "Starting * backup," where * represents any of the words "automatic," "manual," or "standard." Note the timestamp of the last such message. Clear the text field and scroll back in the log to that time. Select the messages timestamped from then until the end of the backup, or the end of the log if that's not clear. Copy them (command-C) to the Clipboard. Paste (command-V) into a reply to this message.
If there are runs of repeated messages, post only one example of each. Don't post many repetitions of the same message.
When posting a log extract, be selective. Don't post more than is requested.
Please do not indiscriminately dump thousands of lines from the log into this discussion.
Some personal information, such as the names of your files, may be included — anonymize before posting.

Time Machine: Error occurred while creating the backup folder

Mac Mini 2.53 GHz, 8 GB DDR3
OS X 10.8.4
Time Capsule 1 TB, connected via ethernet
Airport Utility 6.3.1 (631.4)
"Time Machine Error. Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder."
I believe my Time Capsule is out of space and isn't removing older backups to create space for itself. Time Machine preferences says only 98 MB available on the 1 TB volume. I have used Pondini's superb troubleshooting page with the following results:
A1: Time Machine Buddy Widget. Partial log from backup attempt:
Backing up to: /Volumes/Time Machine Backups/Backups.backupdb
Failed to create progress log file at path:/Volumes/Time Machine Backups/Backups.backupdb/Macmini-34159E18D208 (4)/2013-04-04-223516.inProgress/.Backup.400571203.603238.log.
Event store UUIDs don't match for volume: Macintosh HD
Error: (Error Domain=NSCocoaErrorDomain Code=640 "You can’t save the file “598C5622-100E-456A-89AF-DEBC87A6CA89” because the volume “Time Machine Backups” is out of space." UserInfo=0x7f88a330cef0 {NSFilePath=/Volumes/Time Machine Backups/Backups.backupdb/Macmini-34159E18D208 (4)/2013-04-04-223516.inProgress/598C5622-100E-456A-89AF-DEBC87A6CA89, NSUnderlyingError=0x7f88a33056a0 "The operation couldn’t be completed. No space left on device"}) Creating directory 598C5622-100E-456A-89AF-DEBC87A6CA89
Failed to make snapshot.
Backup failed with error: 2
Ejected Time Machine disk image: /Volumes/Data/Macmini-34159E18D208 (4).sparsebundle
Ejected Time Machine network volume.
A4: Full reset of Time Machine. Done, did not change error from occurring on next backup attempt.
A5b: Verify backups on Time Machine. Done, successful (no problems).
C10: Also attempted switching out ethernet cable and tried different ports on the Time Capsule, to no effect.
I have no exceptions listed in Time Machine preferences (under Options) and the box for "notify when deleting old backups" is UNchecked.
Any suggestions would be most appreciated!!

grifftastic wrote:
I believe my Time Capsule is out of space and isn't removing older backups to create space for itself. Time Machine preferences says only 98 MB available on the 1 TB volume.
"You can’t save the file “598C5622-100E-456A-89AF-DEBC87A6CA89” because the volume “Time Machine Backups” is out of space."
Yes, it's so full it can't get started -- not even far enough to start deleting old backups.
If you have other data there (not usually a good idea), move some of it elsewhere temporarily, and try again.
If not, manually delete a couple of old backups, and "compact" the sparse bundle, per Time Machine - Frequently Asked Question #12.

Time Machine warning: An error occured while creating a backup folder. What to do???

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