[Resolved] Time Machine Failed to Complete the Backup to DiskStation.local

If you utilize Time Machine on your Mac for backups and encounter the message, "Time Machine couldn't finish the backup to DiskStation.local", it typically indicates an issue with the backup process. This may be due to connectivity problems or issues with the destination disk, referred to as 'DiskStation.local'.

You must address this error to avoid potential data loss. In this situation, you can recover all your crucial files using Data Recovery Wizard for Mac, which can restore documents, images, videos, and more on your Mac, providing an additional layer of security for your Time Machine backups.

Possible Causes: Why Time Machine Failed to Complete the Backup

There could be various reasons why Time Machine might encounter issues while completing a backup to 'DiskStation.local.' Being aware of these potential causes can assist you in identifying and resolving the problem. Here are some common factors to examine: 1. **Network Connectivity**: Ensure that your Mac is connected to the same network as the DiskStation. Check your Wi-Fi connection or Ethernet cable, and restart your router if necessary. 2. **Disk Space**: Make sure there's enough free space on the DiskStation for the Time Machine backup. If the storage is almost full, delete old backups or upgrade to a larger drive. 3. **Permission Issues**: Incorrect permissions on the DiskStation might cause backup failures. Verify the permissions settings in Time Machine preferences and ensure your Mac has write access to the backup volume. 4. **Software Updates**: Keep both your Mac and DiskStation firmware up to date. Outdated software could lead to compatibility issues. 5. **Firewall or Security Software**: Firewall settings or security software on your Mac might block Time Machine's access to the DiskStation. Temporarily disable the firewall or security software and try backing up again. 6. **Time Machine Settings**: Review your Time Machine preferences to ensure the correct disk is selected and the backup process is not paused or restricted in any way. 7. **DiskStation Settings**: Check the DiskStation configuration to ensure Time Machine is enabled and configured correctly. Also, verify that the shared folder for backups is properly set up. 8. **Hardware Issues**: Although less common, hardware issues with either your Mac or the DiskStation could be causing the problem. Check for loose connections and consider running hardware diagnostics. 9. **Time Machine Cache**: Clear Time Machine's cache by deleting the file `Backup.db` in `/var/db/time机器` on your Mac. This may resolve issues related to corrupt backup data. 10. **Support Assistance**: If none of the above solutions work, consult the official Synology support forums or contact their customer support for further assistance specific to your DiskStation model. By troubleshooting these common issues, you should be able to identify and resolve the problem preventing successful backups to 'DiskStation.local.'

• Issues with the USB connection or errors on the Time Machine disk or Mac.
• Insufficient free space on the Time Machine backup disk, causing the Time Machine to wait for the initial backup to finish.
• Corrupted files on the Time Machine backup disk or your Mac running low on free space.
• The Time Machine backup disk failed to mount properly due to errors like com.apple.DiskManagement.disenter error 0.

Once you have a general understanding of what's causing this error, you can address it in two ways: first, free up storage space on the Time Machine backup disk; second, repair any errors on the Time Machine backup disk using Mac First Aid.

Continue reading, and we'll walk you through step-by-step instructions on resolving the "Time Machine couldn't complete the backup to the 'DiskStation.local'" error.

Resolve Insufficient Storage Space on the Time Machine Disk

Here are some methods you can use to free up enough space on your Time Machine disk:

Fix 1: Delete Unwanted Time Machine Backups

To free up space on your Time Machine backup disk, you can manually delete old backups. However, it's important to note that with Time Machine using APFS (Apple File System) volumes, you cannot directly delete backups from the Time Machine app or remove individual files within a backup.

Alternatively, you can delete an entire backup from a specific time using Finder or Terminal. Just be aware that the selected backups will be permanently erased, so make sure to decide which ones to remove before proceeding.

Use Finder to delete Time Machine backups.

Step 1. Double-click the disk icon to open your Time Machine backup on the desktop.

Step 2. Locate the backup from a specific time, right-click on it, and select "Delete Immediately."

Use Terminal to delete Time Machine backups

Step 1. Press "Command + Space" to open Spotlight Search, then type Terminal and hit "Enter".

Step 2. Open the "Terminal" app.

Step 3. Enter this command: tmutil listbackups and press "Enter" to view all Time Machine backups.

Step 4. Utilize the command sudo tmutil delete -d /Volumes/volume_name -t time_stamp to permanently erase undesirable backups. For instance, sudo tmutil delete -d /Volumes/Backup -t 2023-07-05-173850.

Step 5. Enter your admin password (it won't be displayed on the screen). Repeat step 4 for any additional backups you wish to remove.

Once your Time Machine backup disk has sufficient space, attempt to back up your Mac again. If the issue persists, consider trying the alternative solutions below.

Translation into English:

Deleted Files on Mac But No Space Freed: 4 Solutions

This article explores potential fixes for the issue where deleting files on a Mac does not release storage space. Read more >>

Fix 2: Delete Large Files from the Time Machine Backup Disk

When deleting large files from your Time Machine backup disk, you need to exercise caution as it can affect your backups. To free up space on the backup disk, consider following these straightforward steps:

Step 1. Click the "Enter Time Machine" button.

Step 2. Use the timeline on the right to locate the backup date containing the files you want to delete.

Step 3. When you find the large files, select them.

Step 5. In Time Machine, locate the gear icon or action menu (typically represented by a downward arrow). Click on it and choose "Delete All Backups of [File]."

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Fix 3: Erase the Time Machine backup disk and try again

Another solution you can try is to erase all backups and start anew.

Step 1. Go to the "Applications > Utilities" folder and open "Disk Utility."

Step 2. Choose "View > Show All Devices".

Step 3. Select the physical disk of your Time Machine backup and click "Erase".

Step 4. Give the disk a name and select "APFS" as the format. Choose "GUID Partition Map" for the scheme. Click "Erase" again.

Step 5. Return to Time Machine to set up your disk again.

Now, your Time Machine backups should work properly. If you found these solutions helpful, please share this post!

Repair the Time Machine Disk with First Aid

Repairing a Time Machine disk with First Aid involves utilizing the Disk Utility application on macOS. Here's how to address issues with a non-functioning Time Machine backup due to disk errors: 1. **Open Disk Utility**: Launch the "Disk Utility" app. You can find it in the "Utilities" folder within the "Applications" folder. 2. **Select the Backup Disk**: In the left sidebar of Disk Utility, locate and select the hard drive or external storage device where your Time Machine backups are stored. 3. **Run First Aid**: Click on the "First Aid" tab at the top of the Disk Utility window. Then, click the "Run" button next to "Verify Disk" or "Repair Disk" (depending on whether you want to diagnose or fix the issue). 4. **Wait for the Process**: Disk Utility will now scan the selected disk for any errors. This process may take some time, depending on the size of the disk. 5. **Review Results**: Once the scan is complete, Disk Utility will display the results. If any issues are found, it will attempt to repair them automatically. If it reports that the disk is "Verified" or "Repaired," the process was successful. 6. **Retry Time Machine Backup**: After the repair, try running a Time Machine backup again to see if the issue has been resolved. Remember that if the problem persists, it might be necessary to consider other troubleshooting steps or seek professional assistance.

Step 1. Go to the "Applications > Utilities" folder and open "Disk Utility."

Step 2. In "Disk Utility," locate and click on your Time Machine disk in the list on the left.

Step 3. Click the "First Aid" button at the top.

Step 4. If prompted, enter your admin username and password, then click the "Run" button.

If the First Aid process fails, don't panic! First, install a recovery tool software to retrieve your saved data.

Step 5. Wait while Disk Utility scans and fixes any issues on your Time Machine disk. This process might take a while.

Upon completion, review the results. Disk Utility will indicate if any issues are found and address them.

Conclusion

From the text, you've understood that resolving issues with Time Machine not completing backups can be straightforward. Make sure your backup drive is connected to your computer. Remove unnecessary backups. If you require file recovery, we advise using the tool Data Recovery Wizard for Mac.

"Time Machine Couldn't Complete the Backup to DiskStation.local" FAQs

In this section, you'll find frequently asked questions regarding the "Time Machine couldn't complete the backup" issue.

1. Why isn't Time Machine finishing my backup?

There could be several reasons why Time Machine might not complete a backup. These include issues with the USB connection, insufficient space on the backup disk, conflicts with other programs, your Mac running out of storage, or errors on either the Time Machine disk or your Mac.

2. How do I back up Time Machine to Synology? To back up your Mac's Time Machine to a Synology NAS (Network Attached Storage), follow these steps: 1. **Connect to the Synology NAS:** Ensure that your Mac and Synology NAS are connected to the same network. You can access the Synology NAS by entering its IP address or domain name into a web browser. 2. **Install Synology DSM (DiskStation Manager):** If you haven't already, log in to your Synology NAS and install the latest DiskStation Manager (DSM) firmware. This provides a user-friendly interface for managing your NAS. 3. **Download and Install Time Machine Backup Package:** In DSM, go to the "Package Center" app. Search for "Time Machine" and install the "Synology Time Traveler" package. This will enable Time Machine support on your Synology NAS. 4. **Prepare a Volume for Backup:** Create a new volume or use an existing one on your Synology NAS specifically for Time Machine backups. Make sure it has enough storage space for your backups. 5. **Configure Time Machine on Mac:** Open "System Preferences" on your Mac, then click "Time Machine." Select "Select Backup Disk" and choose your Synology NAS from the list of available disks. 6. **Authenticate:** You may be prompted to enter your Synology NAS credentials to grant permission for Time Machine to access the backup volume. 7. **Start the Backup:** Click "Use Disk" to begin the initial backup process. This may take some time depending on the amount of data you have. 8. **Monitor and Schedule Backups:** After the initial backup, Time Machine will automatically perform incremental backups at regular intervals. You can customize these settings in Time Machine preferences. 9. **Backup Verification:** It's a good practice to occasionally verify the integrity of your backups. In Time Machine preferences, click "Options" and check the "Verify backups" box. This will ensure your data is safe and recoverable. Now your Mac's Time Machine backups are securely stored on your Synology NAS. Remember to keep your NAS firmware and Time Traveler package up to date for optimal performance and security.

To back up Time Machine to Synology,首先在你的Synology NAS上创建一个共享文件夹。然后，在Synology DSM中启用Time Machine，设置用户权限，最后在Mac的Time Machine偏好设置中选择Synology共享作为你的备份目的地，以实现无缝且可靠的数据保护。

3. Why can't Time Machine create a local snapshot?

If Time Machine is unable to create a local snapshot, there could be several reasons for this issue. You should check for insufficient disk space on your Mac, potential conflicts with third-party applications, or issues with the file system.

Ensure that your Time Machine preferences are properly set up, and address any underlying issues that might affect the creation of local snapshots.