Time Machine Stuck on Backup on Mac: Why Does It Stop & How to Fix It?

If you find that your Time Machine backup is stuck at the preparation stage, it could be due to several reasons such as:

• A damaged or outdated backup drive
• An outdated macOS version
• Large file sizes
• Interference from other apps using the external disk
• A previously failed Time Machine backup
• Presence of viruses or malware on your drive
• An unstable Wi-Fi network
• Improper ejection of the backup disk
• Incorrect shutdown of your Mac.

To determine if Time Machine is indeed stuck, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to System Preferences > Time Machine.
2. If the backup preparation seems to take an eternity, it's likely that it has failed.

This article will guide you through the solutions for when Time Machine gets stuck during the preparation phase. Ensure you confirm there's an issue with the backup preparation before attempting any fixes.

How to Resolve Time Machine Backup Preparation Issues

You might wonder how long Time Machine typically takes to prepare a backup. Generally, it should not exceed 10 minutes. If it takes longer, consider the following quick fixes before delving into more detailed solutions:

1. Allow some time if it's your first use of Time Machine, as initial backups can take longer.
2. Be patient if it's been a while since your last backup; you might have many files to back up.
3. Cancel the ongoing backup and restart it.
4. Delete the ".inProgress" file from the Time Machine backup drive.
5. Restart your Mac with the Time Machine backup drive connected to initiate the reindexing process.

If these quick fixes don't work, try the following detailed solutions:

1. Halt the current Time Machine backup.
2. Verify your network connection.
3. Exclude Time Machine from antivirus scans.
4. Skip large files during the backup process.
5. Prevent Spotlight from indexing the Time Machine backup volume.
6. Locate and delete the ".inProgress" file.
7. Restart your Mac and attempt a Time Machine backup again.
8. Update your macOS.

Halting the Current Time Machine Backup

If the current backup is stuck, waiting won't help. Here's how to stop it:

1. Go to System Preferences > Time Machine.
2. Click the X on the progress bar to stop the backup. Once the bar disappears, the backup is canceled.
3. If Back Up Automatically is enabled, turn it off and proceed with the steps below.

Verifying the Network Connection

An unstable internet connection can disrupt your backup. Check your Wi-Fi connection by clicking the Wi-Fi icon at the top of your screen.

Excluding Time Machine from Antivirus Scans

Antivirus scans might interfere with Time Machine. Exclude the Time Machine backup volume from your antivirus scans. If this isn't possible, exclude the backup file directly from the volume. Ensure your antivirus is run beforehand to safeguard your files.

Skipping Large Files

Large files can slow down Time Machine. Here's how to exclude them:

1. Navigate to Time Machine > Options > .
2. Select the large files to skip and click Exclude.
3. Confirm your selection by clicking Save.

Preventing Spotlight from Indexing Time Machine Backup Volume

If Spotlight is indexing your backup volume, it may cause issues. Exclude it with these steps:

1. Go to System Preferences > Spotlight > Privacy.
2. Click , select the Time Machine backup drive, or drag it into the Spotlight window and click Choose.

Locating and Deleting the Progress File

After canceling the backup, delete the progress file to start anew:

1. In Finder, select the backup disk in the left pane.
2. Navigate to Backups.backupd., find the ".inProgress" file, delete it, and move it to Trash.

For guidance on deleting old backups, see how to delete Time Machine backups.

Restarting Mac and Retrying the Backup

Before trying again, restart your Mac:

1. From the Apple menu, select Restart.
2. Once restarted, attempt the backup once more.

Updating macOS

An outdated macOS can affect Time Machine. Update it to a newer version like Mojave, High Sierra, Catalina, or Big Sur. Ensure you have sufficient space; learn how to free up space on your Mac.

To update macOS:

1. Go to System Preferences > Software Update.
2. If updates are available, click Software Update > Update Now/Restart Now.

For information on restoring from Time Machine, refer to how to restore from Time Machine.

Resolving Time Machine Backup Problems on Mac

It's common for MacBook applications to freeze. If your Time Machine backup is stuck, follow this guide to troubleshoot and resolve the issue. Restarting your Mac and updating macOS are often effective solutions for fixing common Mac issues, which is why they're included here.

Before tackling backup problems, scan your Mac with MacKeeper's Antivirus tool to ensure your data's security. Keep the antivirus running to perform regular scans and protect your information automatically while your Mac is in use.

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