Failed to access the shadow volume. Error (2147549183): Catastrophic failure


This error (0x8000FFFF) occurs when running a scheduled profile using the backup operator and if the VSS service has not been started or other software has caused VSS to stop working. 


Solution:

1. Restart the following services: COM+ Event System, COM+ System Application, Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider, Volume Shadow Copy

2. Change the startup type of the Volume Shadow copy service to 'Automatic' (right click on Volume Shadow Copy > Properties > set the 'Start type' to 'Automatic') and reboot the computer.

3. Open a command prompt and run the following commands:


cd /d %windir%\system32

net stop vss

net stop swprv

regsvr32 ole32.dll

regsvr32 oleaut32.dll

regsvr32 /i eventcls.dll

regsvr32 vss_ps.dll

vssvc /register

regsvr32 /i swprv.dll

regsvr32 es.dll

regsvr32 stdprov.dll

regsvr32 vssui.dll

regsvr32 msxml.dll

regsvr32 msxml3.dll

regsvr32 msxml4.dll

net start swprv
net start vss

4. Reboot the computer

5. Test the backup