sql vss writer is missing: databases will be backed up in crash consistent state

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sql vss writer is missing: databases will be backed up in crash consistent state

Dilan Nanayakkara 1,111

Hi All,

when ran Veam Back up there is a warning message "SQL VSS Writer is missing: databases will be backed up in crash-consistent state". I have tried the below troubleshooting methods but there is no luck yet.

appreciate the help.

*Checked if there are any database name with spaces.
*Restart the SQL VSS Writer service
*Grant the SQL VSS writer user a sysadmin role in SQL.
*SQL VSS write Service account is a domain user (not running under local system).
*Add SQL VSS writer user to a local administrator group

Thanks,
Dilan

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Answer 1

tibor_karaszi@hotmail.com 4,316

According to the documentation for the SQLVSS Writer service, the account need to be LocalSystem. Not a domain account. I understand that you might want to know why that is, but sometimes we just have to accept that MS documents some requirements and we will have to follow those requirements.

You can of course send a request to MS and ask them to relax this requirement and/or be more specific in the documentation, but I doubt you will have much success, to be honest.

The question is why you insist to not use Localsystem ? Is there a problem with using LocalSystem in your environment?

If Veeam suggest that you should use something else than what is supported by SQL Server, then that Veeam article should be corrected.

Dilan Nanayakkara 1,111 Reputation points

2020-11-09T13:39:34.15+00:00

Thank you very much for the confirmation from your sire.

Regards,
Dilan

Answer 2

tibor_karaszi@hotmail.com 4,316

The only supported service account for the SQL VSS writer service is LocalSystem, as documented here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/database-engine/configure-windows/sql-writer-service?view=sql-server-ver15

Dilan Nanayakkara 1,111 Reputation points

2020-11-09T13:20:25.257+00:00

Thank You very much for the reply.

But I have added my domain user account to the local administrator group of the machine. You mean is that not enough?

or also do you know any other way that I can run veeam backups with the local system account.

further, I have followed below article from Veeam.

https://www.veeam.com/kb2095

Thanks,
Dilan

Answer 3

Monalv-MSFT 5,926

Hi @Dilan Nanayakkara ,

Could please share the result of checking if there are any database name with spaces?

May I know if you remove the spaces from the database names?

Please refer to SQL VSS Writer is missing: databases will be backed up in crash-consistent state and transaction log processing will be skipped

Best Regards,
Mona

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Dilan Nanayakkara 1,111 Reputation points

2020-09-30T08:26:59.167+00:00

Hi Mona,

Thanks for the reply.

I have ran the below command and there I can't see any databases with space. Please correct me if I am wrong.

select name from sys.databases where name like '% '

Thanks,
Dilan
Monalv-MSFT 5,926 Reputation points

2020-10-02T09:43:36.31+00:00

Hi @Dilan Nanayakkara ,

May I know if you can run the query select name from sys.databases where name like '%' ; ?

Best Regards,
Mona
tibor_karaszi@hotmail.com 4,316 Reputation points

2020-10-02T11:10:03.273+00:00

That would return all database names. I think you meant LIKE '% %'
Dilan Nanayakkara 1,111 Reputation points

2020-10-16T02:38:45.857+00:00

Hi Mona,

Sorry for the delay.

Below is the result and it will display all the databases. here I have SQL 208 R2.

Thanks
Dilan
tibor_karaszi@hotmail.com 4,316 Reputation points

2020-10-16T07:48:24.063+00:00

Monalv-msft wasn't very clear on what she was asking:

She suspects that the VSS writer is erroring because you have a space somewhere in the database name. I don't know if the VSS writer will actually error on that, but lets play along. Unfortunately Mona posted two queries, but both of them are incorrect. Use the one I suggested two weeks instead and that will show you the databases with space in the names. I.e.:

select name from sys.databases where name like '% %'

The query you ran returned all database names and that information isn't useful for us. Sure, we might have been able to spot a space somewhere in the name, but you mask the information (understandable) so we can't see if there are any space in the name. Remember that the space (if there is) can be in the beginning or the end, making it hard or impossible to spot by only looking that the name. Hence the query suggestion above.

I doubt that this really is the problem, but we'll see.
Dilan Nanayakkara 1,111 Reputation points

2020-11-08T01:23:16.07+00:00

Hi All,

Finally SQL VSS writer listed after we have moved on to local system account from a domain one.

but not sure about backups as we still run the next backup schedule. fingers crossed.

Thanks all,
Dilan

Answer 4

Dilan Nanayakkara 1,111

Hi All,

Is there any reason to won't be listed if I run a SQL VSS writer under the domain administrator account?

it will be listed without an issue when I ran the service under the local system account.

Thanks,
Dilan

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sql vss writer is missing: databases will be backed up in crash consistent state

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