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SharePoint 2013 Backups Fail and the OSearch15 VSS Writer is Missing

  • This article is for Windows only

Summary:

Microsoft SharePoint 2013 backups require that the OSearch15 VSS Writer be enabled and accessible. If the VSS Writer is missing, backup operations and/or backup set validation will fail with the following error: Application writer's data is not available. Please check the application writer status.

Further investigation into the LogFile.txt found in the \Debug\ folder of your installation directory will reveal the following:

4732:4844:20/6/2013:03:21:21:676::AddWritersVolumestoList : Find writer SharePoint Services Writer
4732:4844:20/6/2013:03:21:21:676::AddWritersVolumestoList : Found writer SharePoint Services Writer
4732:4844:20/6/2013:03:21:21:676::CZWCJobHandler::VerifyDependentWriter : Dependent Sharepoint search writer not found
4732:4844:20/6/2013:03:21:21:676::CZWCJobHandler : Leaving ExecuteValidateDiskListJob

Note: The time stamp will vary for each user, but the messages will be the same.

Solution:

To resolve this issue, open an elevated command prompt and enter the following command: vssadmin list writers.

After a short delay, information about the various VSS writers will be displayed. Look for the OSearch15 VSS Writer in the list.

If the Osearch15 VSS Writer is missing, follow the steps below:

  1. Open the Windows start menu and type regedit to open the registry editor.
  2. Locate the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\VSS\Diag\OSearch15 VSS Writer.
  3. Right click the key and choose Permissions...
  4. Add Full Control to the user account that launches the Sharepoint Server Search 15 service. In most cases, the Network Service account is the correct account. If you are unsure:
    1. Open Windows Services and locate the Sharepoint Server Search 15 service.
    2. Right click the Sharepoint Server Search 15 and choose Properties.
    3. Click the Log On tab. The account that launches the service will be displayed.

After adding the permissions, go back to the elevated command prompt and once again enter the command: vssadmin list writers.

The OSearch15 VSS Writer should now be listed. You will be able to test your SharePoint 2013 backups again.

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