Fix The Backup Disk Image Could Not Be Created [Easy]

Facing the error message the backup disk image could not be created can be frustrating. Find solutions and troubleshooting tips to resolve this issue and successfully create your backup disk image.

Encountering the "backup disk image could not be created" error can be frustrating, especially when you rely on consistent backups to protect important files. This error can happen on macOS when Time Machine fails to create a backup image on an external drive. To resolve this issue, follow the detailed troubleshooting steps provided below.

How to Fix the Backup Disk Image Could Not Be Created

If you're facing the "backup disk image could not be created" error while using Time Machine, it can hinder your backup process. Here are methods to help resolve this issue, ensuring your backups run smoothly again.

1. Method 1. Reformat the Backup Drive
2. Method 2. Reset Time Machine Preferences
3. Method 3. Check Disk Space on the Backup Drive
4. Method 4. Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM
5. Method 5. Correct Drive Permissions

Method 1. Reformat the Backup Drive

Sometimes, the drive's format isn't compatible with Time Machine. It needs to be formatted as Mac OS Extended (Journaled) or APFS for compatibility.

🙆‍♀️Note: You may lose your data performing this method, so you better back up your files first.

Step 1. Open "Disk Utility" from the Applications folder.

Step 2. Select an external drive from the list on the left.

Step 3. Click on "Erase" at the top.

Step 4. Set the format to Mac OS Extended (Journaled) or APFS.

Step 5. Name your drive and click "Erase."

This should resolve format-related issues causing the backup error.

Method 2. Reset Time Machine Preferences

The second method you can try is resetting your Time Machine preferences could fix the issue.

Step 1. Launch "System Preferences" and go to "Time Machine."

Step 2. Click "Select Disk" and remove your current backup disk.

Step 3. Restart your Mac.

Step 4. Return to "System Preferences" > "Time Machine" and select the backup disk again.

This resets the Time Machine configuration and might solve the error. This method is also workable when you encounter errors like Time Machine backups not visible on Mac.

Do remember to share this post with your friends or colleagues who are facing the same backup error:

Method 3. Check Disk Space on the Backup Drive

One of the most common reasons for this error is a lack of storage space on your external drive. Check to ensure the drive has sufficient free space to store your backups.

Step 1. Connect your external drive to your Mac.

Step 2. Right-click on the external drive icon and select "Get Info."

Step 3. In the window that appears, check the "Available" space. Ensure it's greater than the size of your backup.

Method 4. Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM

Use the SFC and DISM tools to scan your system for corrupted files and fix any issues that may be affecting system performance.

Step 1. First, log into "Windows Terminal" with administrator privileges.

Step 2. Once you're in, type the following command and press "Enter":

Step 3. Allow the scan to complete.

Once the scan is done, Windows Resource Protection will inform you if the SFC utility found any integrity issues. 

If no issues are found, you can exit the terminal. However, if you receive a message stating, "Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but could not fix some of them," you'll need to perform a Component Store repair. 

To do this, run the following command:

Method 5. Correct Drive Permissions

Incorrect permissions can prevent Time Machine from creating backup disk images. You'll need to verify and correct the permissions.

Step 1. Open "Finder" and right-click your external drive.

Step 2. Choose "Get Info" and scroll to the "Sharing & Permissions" section.

Step 3. Ensure you have "Read & Write" access. If not, click the lock icon, enter your admin password, and change the permission level to "Read & Write."

Bonus Tips: How to Recover Your Lost Backups

Losing a backup can be frustrating, which is why tools like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac exist. This tool is known for its powerful recovery capabilities and user-friendly interface. It's compatible with macOS and supports various file types. This makes it a reliable option for recovering lost backups.

This data recovery software for Mac from EaseUS has the following features:

• A high rating from users for reliable recovery.
• It is compatible with macOS and includes the latest versions.
• Features like deep scanning, file preview, and selective recovery.

To recover your lost files on Mac, follow the detailed steps below. 

Step 1. Scan for lost documents

Select the location where your important Word/Excel/PPT/Numbers/Pages documents were lost and click "Search for lost files".

Step 2. Find lost documents on Mac

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac will immediately start a scan on your selected disk volume. Meanwhile, the scanning results will be presented in the left pane. Select "Documents" and you can quickly filter the DOC/PDF/PPT/XLS files you've lost earlier.

Step 3. Recover lost/deleted documents

Select the target files and preview them by double-clicking them. Then, click "Recover" to get lost documents back at once.

It's a robust solution that ensures your important backups are not lost forever.

Possible Causes of Disk Image Not Creating Error

There are some common reasons why Time Machine fails to create a backup disk image:

• 🔴Insufficient space on the backup disk.
• 🟠Incorrect disk format (the drive must be Mac OS Extended or APFS).
• 🟡Disk errors that need to be repaired.
• 🟣Permission issues preventing access to files or folders.
• 🟢Connectivity problems with the external or network drive.

Conclusion

The "Backup Disk Image Could Not Be Created" error is usually related to disk space, format, or permissions issues. Following the steps outlined above can resolve the issue and ensure smooth backups. If you lose any backups, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac is an excellent tool to help you recover lost files efficiently.

FAQs

Here are some common questions and answers about the "backup disk image could not be created" issue. Check them out.

1. What is the backup disk image could not be created error?

This error occurs when Time Machine is unable to create a backup image on a network drive. This can occur because of the reasons like insufficient disk space, permission issues, or disk errors.

2. How to fix the backup disk image could not be created?

You can resolve this problem by ensuring that your backup drive has enough space, verifying that the drive is formatted correctly, repairing disk errors, and checking file permissions. Steps like restarting your Mac in Safe Mode or checking network settings (if using a network drive) can also help.