Windows Backup Error Code 0x8078002a: How to Fix It Easily

Windows Backup Failed - Error Code 0x8078002A

This occurs if I attempt a system image or a full backup. Windows has never successfully completed a backup. I'm running Windows 7 and backing up to an external HD. Any help is greatly appreciated.

What is backup error 0x8078002a? It is usually a system-generated error that occurs when you try to access specific files on your local drive or external USB. Then, what are the reasons that cause this error? How to get rid of the Windows backup error 0x8078002a? If you are troubled by these questions, keep reading this post to get clear answers.

Why Does Windows Backup Fail?

The Windows backup error code 0x8078002a can be caused by various factors, and pinpointing the exact cause may require some troubleshooting. Here are some common reasons that may trigger this error:

• Corrupted system files: Corruption in the system files of your operating system can cause Windows backup keeping failed and backup errors like 0x8078002a.
• Improper external hard drive: If you are trying to create a system image or take a Windows backup on a large sector (greater than 4 KB) external hard drive, you may encounter this error due to compatibility issues.
• Incorrect or failed Windows installation: If your Windows installation is corrupted or it is outdated, the backup will be hard to perform.
• Improper system shutdown: A forced system shutdown due to a system crash can trigger the 0x8078002a.

How to Fix Windows Backup Error Code 0x8078002a in 7 Ways

Before delving into advanced troubleshooting techniques, here are a couple of quick fixes you can attempt:

• Power cycle your PC.
• Disconnect and then reconnect the external HDD if there is one.

If these initial steps do not resolve the 0x8078002a backup error code, proceed with the following solutions for a more comprehensive resolution.

👉 Solution 1. Check Windows Backup and Volume Shadow Copy Services Status
👉 Solution 2. Format Your External Hard Drive
👉 Solution 3. Repair Corrupted Disk with CHKDSK Command🔥
👉 Solution 4. Try System File Checker
👉 Solution 5. Restore Windows Health using DISM Command
👉 Solution 6. Create Backup with a Different Drive🔥
👉 Solution 7. Reinstall Windows
👉 More Flexible and Error-free Way to Backup Windows🔥

Solution 1. Check Windows Backup and Volume Shadow Copy Services Status

To ensure the successful creation of your backup, certain essential services, including Windows Backup and Volume Shadow Copy services, must be enabled on Windows. You can follow the steps below to check their status:

#1. Check Volume Shadow Copy, also called Volume Snapshot Service or VSS, which allows you to take backup copies or snapshots of computer files or volumes.

Step 1. Open the Run dialog box by pressing the Win + R keys and input services.msc to enter the Services window.

Step 2. Scroll down to locate Volume Shadow Copy and double-click on it.

Step 3. Ensure the Service status is running and the Startup type is set as Automatic; if not, click Start under Service status and choose Automatic.

Step 4. Click on Apply and OK.

#2. Check Windows Backup, which provides Windows Backup and Restore capabilities.

You can head to the Services window likewise, locate Windows Backup and repeat the same steps to make sure its Service status is running. If not, click Start to run it.

Solution 2. Format Your External Hard Drive

Another potential solution for resolving 0x8078002a on Windows 10 is to format your external hard drive. Follow these steps to give it a try:

Step 1. Plug in your external hard drive and open File Explorer by pressing the Win + E keys.

Step 2. Locate your external hard drive in File Explorer, right-click on it, and choose Format from the drop-down list.

Step 3. Choose the type of file system and assign a name to your external drive under the Volume label.

Step 4. Ensure the Quick Format box is checked, click Start, and confirm it to initiate the format process. Wait for the format to complete.

Solution 3. Repair Corrupted Disk with CHKDSK Command

To address the Windows backup error code 0x8078002aon Windows 7/8/10/11, which may be caused by a glitchy or corrupted hard drive, you can use the CHKDSK tool to analyze hard drive errors and run repairs automatically. Follow these specific steps to run this tool.

Step 1. Type cmd in the search box, right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator to open the command prompt.

Step 2. Type chkdsk F: /f/r/x and press Enter. Replace the F: with your backup target drive letter.

Step 3. If you are told that the CHKDSK cannot run because the volume is in use by another device, type y to confirm you want to schedule this volume at the next system startup.

Step 4. Restart your computer, and it will automatically scan the system drive for bad sectors, conduct disk inspection, and perform necessary repairs.

Solution 4. Try System File Checker

SFC(System File Checker) can analyze your system files. This method will work if the backup failed due to corrupted system files.

Step 1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.

Step 2. Type sfc /scannow and hit Enter to execute.

Step 3. This process may take several minutes to scan or repair the corrupted system files. Please wait patiently and then restart your computer for these changes to take effect.

Solution 5. Restore Windows Health using DISM Command

If the SFC command fails to fix a corrupted file, the DISM command (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) may help them recover.

Step 1. Run Command Prompt as an administrator.

Step 2. Execute DISM commands by inputting the following commands and pressing Enter after each of them.

• DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
• DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
• DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Step 3. Then you can restart your computer and check if the error code 0x8078002a has been resolved.

Solution 6. Create Backup with a Different Drive

According to reports, most users encounter the 0x8078002a backup error while they are using a Seagate external backup drive. It is possible that the Windows backup tool doesn’t support the 4K logical disk sector size. To address this, consider specifying an alternative storage location if you have another storage device available for backup purposes. For example, you can choose to backup Windows to a network drive or another disk on your computer.

Solution 7. Reinstall Windows

If none of the aforementioned methods successfully resolve the Windows backup error code 0x8078002a, reinstalling Windows may be the last resort. However, it's crucial to note that reinstalling Windows can result in data loss. Therefore, it's strongly advised to backup files before proceeding. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to reinstall Windows 10:

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Step 1. Go to Start -> Settings -> Update & Security -> Recovery.

Step 2. Click on Get started under Reset this PC.

Step 3. Choose Keep my files.

Step 4. Then, it will inform you the items that will be removed, tap on Reset.

Step 5. Then your PC will restart, and your Windows will be reinstalled.

More Flexible and Error-free Way to Backup Windows

If, unfortunately, the 0x8078002a Windows backup error cannot be resolved with the foregoing solutions, you can try the reliable and free Windows backup software - AOMEI Backupper Standard to create Windows backup error-free.

This software allows you to backup system, disk, partition and files or folders per your needs instead of backing up files while including system image. And you can restore backups to get the operating system and data back quickly when your computer runs into a serious issue. Some notable advantages of this backup solution include:

🏆 Auto backup - You can set backup frequency at daily, weekly, monthly, event triggers, and USB plug in for continuous data protection.
🏆 Incremental backup - By default, it utilizes Incremental Backup to backup only changed data, greatly reducing backup time and disk space. (It also offers Differential Backup in the Pro version)
🏆 Multiple backup locations - Compared to Windows native Backup and Restore, it supports backing up not only to local and external hard drives, CDs, and network drives, but also to NAS and cloud storage services like Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox.

It is widely compatible with Windows 11/10/8/7 and previous Windows XP/Vista. You can download it on your computer, and back up your Windows easily now.

Step 1. Launch AOMEI Backupper, and select System Backup under the Backup tab. You can also use Disk Backup to create a backup for all your target drives.

Step 2. It will choose all system partitions required to start your computer automatically, and you only need to specify a location as your destination path.

Notes:✎...

You can use the Schedule Backup feature to backup data automatically by choosing a specific backup mode.

Additionally, it enables you to set incremental or differential backup methods, and automatically delete old backup images to save backup disk space under Backup Scheme (most features here are available in Pro or higher version).

Step 3. Finally, click Start Backup to back up Windows with ease.

Summary

If you are looking for solutions to resolve 0x8078002a backup error during Windows backup, the solutions on this page may be helpful to you. If you don't want to spend too much time on this issue, you could turn to AOMEI Backupper directly, a free Windows Backup alternative. It has many powerful features that Windows built-in tool does not have, like incremental backup, image file compression, etc.

If you want to protect unlimited computers in your company, opt for AOMEI Backupper Technician. And it allows you to create a portable AOMEI Backupper on a removable device, like a USB flash drive, then you can use it on any target PC without the need for installation.