cPanel backups are failing - Unable start backup script

davids355

Member
Dec 17, 2013
5
0
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cPanel Access Level
Root Administrator
I have cpanel backups configured to back up to an FTP server every day of the week, and once per month.
The FTP server is showing as active and the settings confirmed correct.

Everything was running fine until 1st December 2013.
Since then, no more backups are present on the ftp server.

Each night, when the backup runs, I get the following notification via email:

"Unable start backup script".

the only things I have tried to troubleshoot are:
checked free space on cpanel server - its fine.
checked free space on FTP server - its fine.
verified FTP backup location - fine.
Disabled and re-enabled backup on cpanel interface - makes no difference.

I am not sure what to do next??
 

cPanelMichael

Administrator
Staff member
Apr 11, 2011
47,880
2,267
463
Hello :)

Please try forcing a generation of your backups via:

Code:
/usr/local/cpanel/bin/backup --force
Once it starts, monitor the log file for the backup that is listed when running the command and let us know if you notice any particular error messages. Also, look for any error messages in:

Code:
/usr/local/cpanel/logs/cpbackup_transporter.log
Thank you.
 

davids355

Member
Dec 17, 2013
5
0
1
cPanel Access Level
Root Administrator
Hello :)

Please try forcing a generation of your backups via:

Code:
/usr/local/cpanel/bin/backup --force
Once it starts, monitor the log file for the backup that is listed when running the command and let us know if you notice any particular error messages. Also, look for any error messages in:

Code:
/usr/local/cpanel/logs/cpbackup_transporter.log
Thank you.
I run the command to force the backup.
I immediately got the following:

Code:
info [backup] Backup process currently running. Pid: 30789
Not sure if that was just indicating my command was successful, or if it was indicating that backup was already running?

Then I run the command to watch the log, and I see this:

Code:
Storing SSL domain......Done
Copying password.......Done
Copying shell.......Done
Creating Archive ..............
Done
pkgacctfile is: /backup/2013-12-01/accounts/sitename.tar.gz

size is: 4268123

homesize is: 3350528
It strikes me as being a bit strange that the path still shows 2013-12-01 - thats the day of the last successful backup.
Is the backup stuck?
Should I kill that process?
 

cPanelMichael

Administrator
Staff member
Apr 11, 2011
47,880
2,267
463
Are you viewing the log file that was presented to you when running the command to start a backup generation? If so, please check the date on your system:

Code:
date
Thank you.
 

davids355

Member
Dec 17, 2013
5
0
1
cPanel Access Level
Root Administrator
When I forced backup, it showed me log path and how to view it in real time I beleive.
That's the one I looked at.

Just run date command and it shows Tues 17th dec.

I can rerun and post the exact output of everything if it would be more helpful?
 

cPanelMichael

Administrator
Staff member
Apr 11, 2011
47,880
2,267
463
Could you open a support ticket using the link in my signature so we can take a closer look? It's likely just generating your monthly backups if you have them enabled, but we can verify that. Feel free to post the ticket number here so we can update this thread with the outcome.

Thank you.
 

cPanelMichael

Administrator
Staff member
Apr 11, 2011
47,880
2,267
463
To update, this issue was resolved by killing a previous backup process that was hanging. After killing that process, starting a new backup generation was successful.

Thank you.