Time Machine hangs on "Prepare backup" - you can do that
If your time machine hangs when "preparing backup", there can be various reasons. In this practical tip, you can read which they are and how to proceed in this case.
Time Machine depends on "Prepare backup" - possible causes
There are several reasons why a Time Machine backup can take a few hours. Read here which are:
- The first backup usually takes a long time because the Mac copies all the files. From the second backup, only the files that have changed are copied.
- Extensive changes: If you take the first backup after a long time or use large disk images, for example, the preparation takes longer than usual. This is often the case even after a macOS update.
- Network speed: If you are backing up over a WiFi network, make sure you are near the router.
- Antivirus software: Outdated antivirus software in particular can impair the backup. Therefore, deactivate the software during the backup or exclude Time Machine from the check.
- Check drives: Open the hard drive utility and check all drives with "First Aid" to identify errors.
- Despite all these problems, a backup can take no more than 12 hours. If this is the case, read on in the next section.
Cancel Time Machine Backup - this is how you proceed
If your Time Machine hangs in the "Prepare backup" state for more than 12 hours, proceed as follows:
- First close the Time Machine settings window in the system settings. This stops the backup attempt.
- Now open the backup drive in the Finder and click on the "Backups.backupdb" folder.
- Then click on the folder named after your Mac and delete the .inProgress file there.
- Now restart the Mac and leave the drive connected.
- After the restart, wait until the Spotlight search finds the drive.
- Then start the backup again.
Read more practical tips for backing up with Time Machine in the next practical tip.