Having trouble making backups? Learn some basic troubleshooting steps you can take to fix backup issues.
After fixing the issue, you can wait for the new backup to run the next day, or trigger a new backup by clicking the ‘Backup now’ button on your Backup page.
First: check the website’s Jetpack Connection
A working Jetpack connection is required to get Jetpack VaultPress Backup working properly. There are times when the connection can become unstable or broken. This may be due to a misconfiguration of your site or a problem on your host server.
Before attempting any other troubleshooting steps, make sure your site’s Jetpack connection is working:
- Check your site’s connection on the Jetpack Debug page.
- Troubleshoot the connection using the Fix Jetpack Connection Issues guide.
If the Debug page says “Everything looks great!” proceed on with the other Backup troubleshooting steps:
Next: other Backup troubleshooting steps
Speak to your host
Even when everything has been set up correctly it’s still possible to see errors. This is often due to security settings at the host level, outside your control.
If you are not sure about who your webhost is, you can check using WhoIsHostingThis.com.
Reach out to your host and ask them to do the following:
- Allowlist Jetpack IPs.
- Check for any other security blocks that might be preventing Jetpack from communicating with your website.
Check for security plugins
Some security and firewall plugins may also block requests from Jetpack; adding Jetpack’s IP ranges to these plugins may be required. You could also try temporarily disabling other plugins to determine which may be blocking requests.
Add server credentials
Adding remote server credentials will make backups run more efficiently, and you will be ready to perform site restores if you ever need to.
For step-by-step instructions about adding server credentials to Jetpack VaultPress Backup, please read our Add Credentials in the Jetpack Plugin article.
Ensure your SFTP/SSH/FTP credentials have full read and write file permissions to the files listed on your Backup Warnings list.
Fix file errors
You can fix transient file errors by doing the following:
- Log into your site’s File Manager or log into your site via FTP, SFTP, or SSH.
- Create a new directory (folder) named
donotbackup. - Move the files listed on your Backup Warnings list to this folder. From now on, Jetpack VaultPress Backup will know to skip this directory automatically.
Check database errors
Ensure your database credentials have proper access to your database and your tables are not corrupt.
Still need help?
Please contact support directly. We’re happy to advise.
Jetpack 