Error codes

0x81000037

Backup failed: volume shadow copy error

What it means

Windows Backup could not create a snapshot of the files because the Volume Shadow Copy service failed.

Common causes

• A VSS writer is stuck
• Not enough free space for the snapshot
• A damaged backup target

How to fix it

1. In services.msc make sure Volume Shadow Copy and Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider are running and set to Manual; then run vssadmin list writers and restart any writer that is not stable.
2. Free at least 15% of the backup drive and retry.
3. Check Event Viewer > Application for VSS errors at the time of the failure.
4. Restart the PC and run the backup again.