Fixed Windows Backup Did Not Complete Successfully

Amy Dennis

Dec 16, 2024 • Filed to: Take Data Backup • Proven solutions

Creating backup for your data to make it secure is essential and protects it from any data loss due to system crashes. Sometimes due to space issues, the backup fails to work but that can be solved by removing unimportant data. If still you receive an error i.e. windows backup will not complete then that has something to do with the storage media or the file that has targeted for backup. Virus or malware attacks, file corruption or if the file is inaccessible then the system cannot proceed with the backup process. In this article, you will get to know all the reasons behind the incomplete backup proceedings along with the efficient solutions to fix this technical issue. Here are the topics that would be discussed in detail.

Part 1: Problem of Windows Backup Did Not Complete Successfully

As mentioned above, it can be the storage media i.e. external USB or the hard drive with partition corruption or bad sectors, it can be the file/folder targeted for backup, it can be the corrupted file, it can be the inaccessibility to the particular data for backup which can cause the error i.e. windows backup will not complete or if you are working on the new backup then you can see the message i.e. the last backup did not complete successfully. All you have to do is to click on the options button and view the details of the error in the event log.

Part 2: Causes of Windows Backup Did Not Complete Successfully

As mentioned earlier, there is a certain reason that causes the last backup did not complete successfully or windows backup will not complete error. This can be due to the technicalities related to targeted storage media meant to store backup data, the data itself, or the file systems. Here are some of the possible reasons for the error message.

1. Bad sectors or partitions selected as locations for storing the backup data
2. Corrupted external hard drives
3. Timeout issues while transferring the data to USB or external hard drive
4. File targeted to be backed up is corrupted or inaccessible
5. Virus or malware attacks
6. Potential I/O device errors

All the above-mentioned reasons will hinder the process of backup and in this time if the system crashes due to any potential reason, you will face a data loss.

Part 3: How to Fix Windows Backup Did Not Complete Successfully

Once you find out the actual reason causing backup failure in your case, the next step is to find out the solution to fix the issue and to proceed with the process of backup to avoid any data loss. Here are four of the effective ways with which you can solve the problem i.e. windows backup will not complete for free.

1. Check disk and fix command on both the backup source drive and the destination drive. Run command prompt i.e. chckdsk C: /f to investigate the C drive. In C drive, select the partition and click on the option of properties> tools to go for the option of Error checking.
2. Make sure the backup drive is well connected to your computer. Any loose connection to the device will hinder the process of data transfer and leads to a timeout. This timeout will potentially stop the backup and you will receive the message i.e. windows backup will not complete. For this, you can check the status of your connected external drive in disk management.
3. Run a full scan of your computer with anti-virus software and delete the untrusted files. For this, you can use powerful anti-virus software to rule out any potential virus or malware attack corrupting the files or file systems targeted for backup.
4. Delete old backups or volume shadow copies and then try the backup again. This will release the space for the nee backup and the system will not confuse between the identical folders.

If all these fail to work, then the only solution left is to use third-party backup software.

Part 4: Alternative to Windows Backup Did Not Complete Successfully

When you left with only one option to use third-party backup software to deal with error i.e. the last backup did not complete successfully or windows backup did not complete, then UBackit data backup is your deal to crack. This software is apt in creating successful backups in no time. Here are some of the salient features related to the software.

1. It backs up Outlook files, disks, partitions, folders, and shows up with one-click backup and restore.
2. It facilitates automatic backup for files and disks i.e. backup for specified files daily, weekly and monthly basis.
3. It helps you with a facility of full incremental and differential backup for the scheduled tasks.

Now here is the stepwise procedure that could be employed for using the software to deal with backup issue i.e. the last backup did not complete successfully or windows backup will not complete.

Step 1: Download and launch the software on your device. In the main interface of the software, select the option of Create New, and Disk Backup.

Step 2: The Disk Backup will include the whole drive for backup. Now you need to select the drive you want to backup. And click Select to continue.

Step 3: Now select the destination where you want to store the backup. Click Select, then the backup process will begin.

Step 4: It will take a few seconds or minutes to complete the process, which depends on the file size and volume.

Step 5: You can find three options at the bottom of the backup once the process completes successfully. By clicking Schedule, you can set a daily, weekly, or monthly automatic disk backup as you need.

Hence, if your system fails to complete the backup, then by now you know the actual reasons behind the error. It can be anything i.e. the storage media corruption, bad sectors, file corruption, time out errors, or inaccessibility to the files targeted for backup. Sometimes I/O device errors can hinder the process. In this regard you can run the command prompt, you can check the connection of the device with the external drive selected as the destination for storing the backup data, you can run the anti-virus software to rule out the virus or malware attacks corrupting the system or you can delete the old backups to avoid the identical folder conflict. Another way is to use third-party backup software. This article introduced the UBackit data backup to fix windows backup did not complete successfully in this context. It is a powerful software that runs the backup file by file. It is a reliable software that is way faster and secure for use.