Macrium Reflect Error 9: Backup Failure Solutions

Macrium Reflect is a widely respected tool for disk imaging and backup solutions. It provides businesses and individuals with the peace of mind that their valuable data is safely backed up. However, users occasionally encounter error codes that can interrupt the backup process, leading to frustration and concern. One commonly reported issue is Error 9 — a failure that indicates the backup could not be completed successfully. This article explores the causes of Macrium Reflect Error 9 and offers practical, step-by-step solutions to fix it.

TLDR

Error 9 in Macrium Reflect usually points to file system issues, drive connection problems, or insufficient space on the backup destination. Fixing this error involves checking hardware connections, ensuring enough free space, and running disk checks for errors and corruption. Updating Macrium Reflect and device drivers may also resolve conflicts causing the failure. This guide walks you through effective troubleshooting methods to restore full functionality to your backup process.

What is Macrium Reflect Error 9?

Error 9: Backup Failed typically occurs when the software cannot access the data required to complete a backup. This could be due to a number of reasons such as:

• Bad sectors or file system corruption
• Hardware connectivity issues
• Incompatible drivers or outdated software
• Interruption by third-party security tools

The error message may appear suddenly, even if previous backups were completed without issue. It is important to act promptly, as backup failures leave systems vulnerable to data loss during critical failures or cyber threats.

Common Symptoms Associated With Error 9

If you’re encountering Error 9, you may also notice one or more of the following symptoms:

• Backup process stops at a specific percentage
• Slow backup speed followed by an abrupt stop
• Disk not found or not readable by Macrium
• Event Log reports I/O errors

Identifying these symptoms can help you pinpoint if the issue lies with the source disk, destination drive, file paths, or system resources.

Solution 1: Check for Disk and File System Errors

One of the primary causes of Error 9 is a problem with the file system or physical disk errors. Windows includes built-in tools such as CHKDSK that can detect and fix these problems.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
2. Type chkdsk C: /f /r and press Enter (replace “C” with the appropriate drive letter)
3. Allow the system to restart if prompted
4. After the check completes, reattempt the backup

If any unrecoverable errors are reported, it may be time to replace the drive.

Solution 2: Inspect External Drives and Connections

If you’re backing up to an external drive, ensure that the device is securely connected and functioning properly. Try the following:

• Switch out USB ports or cables to rule out hardware failure
• Connect the external drive to another computer to test its operability
• Check the format of the drive — NTFS is preferable for Macrium

Intermittent or weak connections can break a backup process mid-transfer, leading to Error 9.

Solution 3: Ensure Sufficient Free Space

Sometimes Error 9 is simply due to insufficient space on the destination or even the source drive. Backup jobs are aborted when there isn’t enough room to create shadow copies or store images.

To resolve this:

• Delete old or redundant backups from the destination drive
• Check VSS settings to ensure temporary snapshot files can be created
• Compress backups or split them into smaller image files

You can also create a retention rule in Macrium Reflect to automatically manage old image files.

Solution 4: Update Macrium Reflect

Outdated versions of Macrium Reflect might not be compatible with current Windows system services, especially Volume Shadow Copy (VSS), which is crucial for backups. Always ensure you are using the latest version of the software:

1. Open Macrium Reflect
2. Go to Help > Check for Updates
3. Download and install the latest patch or version

Newer builds often include fixes for bugs and known issues, including those that might cause backup failures like Error 9.

Solution 5: Update Device Drivers

Drivers that manage your disks and USB devices play an important role in backup operations. An outdated or incompatible driver can interrupt read/write processes, triggering failures.

To check for outdated drivers:

1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager
2. Expand Disk Drives and right-click each entry
3. Click Update Driver and select automatic search

You can also visit your hardware manufacturer’s website to download the latest drivers manually.

Solution 6: Disable Antivirus or Security Tools Temporarily

Overprotective antivirus or anti-malware tools may block background services like VSS from taking snapshot images of the drive. For testing purposes, disable your endpoint protection and try to run the backup again.

Note: Always re-enable protection after you have verified whether it’s the source of the problem.

• Add exclusions in your antivirus for Macrium Reflect’s process and folders
• Include ShadowProtect and other background services as safe

If this resolves your issue, consult your software documentation to create permanent rules that allow Macrium uninterrupted access.

Solution 7: Examine Macrium Reflect Logs and Windows Event Viewer

Macrium Reflect provides detailed logs for each backup task. These logs can offer critical insights into what caused a backup to fail.

To access these logs:

1. Open Macrium Reflect
2. Go to the Log tab
3. Open the log for the failed task and review the final entries

Also, check the Windows Event Viewer:

1. Press Windows + R, type eventvwr, and press Enter
2. Look under Windows Logs > System or Application
3. Search for warning and error entries around the time the backup failed

This information can sometimes point to a driver or a system service that triggered the failure.

When to Contact Support

If none of the above solutions work, and you’re still encountering Error 9, it may suggest a deeper system problem or a rare bug in the software itself. At this point, it is recommended to:

• Contact Macrium Support via their official support page
• Export and include your backup logs and error reports

Having detailed logs ready will expedite the troubleshooting process and avoid excessive back-and-forth communication.

Conclusion

Macrium Reflect Error 9 can be frustrating, especially when regular backups are a part of your disaster recovery strategy. Fortunately, the majority of issues stem from common system situations: file system disorders, poor connections, outdated software, or low available storage. By following the troubleshooting steps outlined above, you can resolve Error 9 efficiently and restore reliable backup functionality to your system.

Preventive maintenance—such as periodic disk checking, updating drivers, and cleaning old backups—will help you avoid reaching this situation again in the future.