[Issue] Backup or copy fails with the error “VSS: can’t read volume data”

Scenario: you’re backing up or copying a disk, The operation fails, and you get a dialogue window with “VSS: can’t read volume data”

Known cause #1: filesystem or disk errors. This usually results from subtle errors in filesystem data. Windows does a good job in ignoring them, but our programs can’t always do that. You need to correct them with the Windows checkdisk tool.

#1. Launch an elevated command prompt. On Windows 7: Start > All Programs > Accessories > find Command Prompt and right click it > Run as administrator. On Windows 8: right click the faux Start button area > Command Prompt (Admin).

#2. Run:

chkdsk [volume letter]: /f /r

Where [volume letter] is substituted with the letter of one of the volumes involved in the intended operation. The flags /f /r tell the program to look for filesystem and disk errors and correct them. The program may require restart, in this case input Y > Enter and reboot the computer.

#3. Repeat #2 for every other volume involved in the operation.

Afterwards, run the operation again and see if this helped.

Known cause #2: outdated version of the program. Under some conditions, this could occur in older versions of our software (prior to generation 12). If you’re using one of those, and solution #1 doesn’t help, upgrading should solve the problem.

If you’re still encountering the issue, please send the following additional information to our Support Team:

• Run Command Prompt (Administrator), type:
  

  vssadmin list writers
  vssadmin list providers

  Send the output (either copy text or make a screenshot).

• Open Registry Editor (regedit),
  navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE – SYSTEM – CurrentControlSet – Control – Class – {71A27CDD-812A-11D0-BEC7-08002BE2092F}
  Specify the value set in UpperFilters parameter (if present).
• Please run the process again, wait until it fails, then navigate to Home – Log Saver to save the log files. Send them to Support Team.