How to Fix Generic Volume Shadow Copy Error?

Question

Good morning,

For my problem I first contacted the Microsoft Support Community. Their method not having succeeded, they advised me to contact you. Here are my exchanges with them:

My question:

"Good morning,

My PC, an HP laptop, is running Windows 11 family version 23H2

Recently, it has been impossible for me to create a restore point or create an image of my C drive on another medium: the PC grinds indefinitely and does nothing.

I then consulted the device manager and found the following error:

generic volume shadow copy error.

How do I fix this error that prevents me from saving my system?

Thank you in advance for helping me."

Their first response:

"Hello, G. Brauer

Welcome to the Microsoft community

Thank you for your feedback. I have read the information you provided. You mentioned that you encountered a common volume snapshot error while backing up your system.

Common volume shadow errors are usually related to the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS), which is a service used by Windows to create restore points and system backups. You can try the following methods, which may solve your current problem.

1. Check and restart the Volume Shadow Copy service

Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.

Type services.msc and press Enter.

In the list of services, find the “Volume Shadow Copy” service.

Right-click on the “Volume Shadow Copy” service and select “Restart”.

If the service is not running, select “Start”.

2. Make sure there is enough free space on the system drive (usually the C drive), because the Volume Shadow Copy service requires a certain amount of disk space to create snapshots. Check the free space on the C drive and make sure there is enough space (at least a few GB).
3. Use System File Checker to repair possibly corrupted system files.

Press Win + X and select Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).

Type the following command in Command Prompt and press Enter:

sfc /scannow

Wait for the scan to complete and fix any issues found.

4: Use the disk check tool to scan and repair disk errors.

Press Win + X and select Windows Terminal (Admin)

Type the following command in Command Prompt and press Enter:

chkdsk C: /f /r

You may be prompted to run a disk check on the next reboot. Type Y and press Enter, then restart your computer.

5: Re-register VSS components

Press Win + X and select “Windows Terminal (Admin)”

Enter the following command and press Enter:

net stop vss

Enter the following commands one at a time, pressing Enter after each command:

regsvr32 /s ole32.dll

regsvr32 /s oleaut32.dll

regsvr32 /s vss_ps.dll

regsvr32 /s msxml3.dll

regsvr32 /s msxml4.dll

regsvr32 /s msxml6.dll

regsvr32 /s vssapi.dll

Enter the following command and press Enter:

net start vss

I hope this information helps you. If you have any questions, please let me know and I will be happy to help."

My response, following all this advice:

Good morning,

I scrupulously applied the 5 methods which did not detect any fault, but the problem is not resolved.

2 remarks:

1. When I launch CHKDSK, it first tells me it will run for around 1h30, but after 20 minutes it's already over. And I only have the mention: "Analysis and repair of disk C 100% complete.

No activity reporting as it should be.

2. When I started the PC, I displayed the device manager, and there: no errors. I leave it displayed and at the same time start creating a restore point, and that's exactly when the generic volume shadow copy error with the exclamation mark appears, and the PC does not does nothing at all.

And when I look at the Generic Volume Shadow Copy properties, I read: "Windows cannot start this hardware device because its configuration information (in the Registry) is incomplete or corrupt. (Code 19)".

I also point out the circumstances of the appearance of this error. I had given my PC for repair because I could no longer launch Windows: blue screen each time and the proposed repair methods did not work. The PC was returned to me supposedly in good working order. However, the first thing I did when I got home was to want to create a restore point, which did not succeed and revealed this famous error. I went back to the repair shop to explain it to them. They turned a deaf ear by saying that everything is OK and blaming me for this malfunction.

Thank you again for your help.

Best regards. Gérard BRAUER."

Following my response, I was advised to contact you.

Thank you in advance and best regards. G. Brauer.

Answer 1

Hi Brauer,

Hope you're doing well.

1. Sometimes, third-party software, especially backup or antivirus programs, can interfere with VSS. Try disabling or uninstalling any such software temporarily to see if it resolves the issue.
2. A clean boot can help identify if background programs are causing the problem.
3. Check Event Viewer for Detailed Errors: Navigate to "Windows Logs > Application". Look for any errors related to VSS and note down the details. Just send us the screenshots.

Best Regards,

Ian Xue

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Answer 2

Hello Sir, thank you for your reply.

I followed all your suggestions, but it did not work.

I also noticed a slow connection to my NAS.

Attached are screenshots of the vss error as requested.

Thanks again for helping me.

Best Regards, G. BRAUER.

Answer 3