Backup failure due to Microsoft SQL Server VSS Writer in a failed state after updating Microsoft Azure AD Connect

Written By Tami Sutcliffe (Super Administrator)

Updated at March 31st, 2021

Impacted Axcient products

  • Axcient x360Recover
  • BDR for Veeam
  • Backup for Files
  • BDR for Shadow Protect.

 

Symptoms

Backups fail to complete with errors due to failure to create VSS snapshots.

  • Event ID 8229 is recorded in the Application Log with error 0x800423f4

Description

A recent update to the Microsoft Azure AD Connect Agent can cause the Microsoft SQL VSS Writer to be left in a broken state. This will prevent any VSS-aware backup solution from completing a successful backup.

There are several fixes for the 0x800423f4 error, but the easiest fix is to repair the LocalDB SQL instance which is provided below.

If you have experienced this error, please follow the steps below to resolve:

  1. Go to, “Add/Remove Programs”
  2. Select, “Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Express LocalDB”
  3. Select, “Repair”
  4. Once the repair is completed, please reboot the affected server.