Contact Us

Veeam Backup & Replication Error: Failed to Open Storage for Read/Write Access / File Does Not Exist

When a backup job fails with the errors “Failed to open storage for read/write access” or “File does not exist,” it typically indicates that Veeam was unable to access or write to the backup repository. These issues are often caused by connectivity problems, permission misconfigurations, insufficient storage, or file locks that prevent normal access.

Common Causes and Resolutions

Cause 1: Repository or Storage Connectivity Issues

If Veeam cannot reach or communicate properly with the repository, it will fail to open the backup file for read/write operations.

Resolutions:

  1. Verify connectivity between the Veeam Backup Server, proxy, and repository.
    • From the Veeam console, go to Backup Infrastructure → Backup Repositories, right-click the affected repository, and select Rescan.
    • If the rescan fails, check network access, firewall rules, and DNS resolution.
  2. Test access from the repository server itself.
    • Try opening or creating a test file in the repository directory to confirm read/write permissions.
  3. Check for storage dismounts or path changes.
    • Ensure the volume, SMB share, or iSCSI LUN is mounted and accessible under the expected path configured in Veeam.

Cause 2: Insufficient Free Space

When the repository runs out of space, Veeam cannot write incremental or full backup data, often producing the same error message.

Resolutions:

  1. Confirm that there is enough free disk space on the backup repository.
  2. Review job retention and chain length; delete or move older restore points if needed.

Cause 3: Permissions or Ownership Issues

If the credentials Veeam uses do not have sufficient rights on the repository, the job may fail to open or write to the storage file.

Resolution:

  • Ensure the service account configured under General Settings → Credentials & Passwords → Datacenter Credentials has full control (read/write/modify) on the repository folder or share.
  • If using a network share (CIFS/NFS), verify share permissions and NTFS-level security.
  • Re-enter credentials in Veeam and perform a Rescan to validate access.

Cause 4: File Locks or Interference from Other Software

Antivirus, backup agents, or volume snapshot tools may lock Veeam backup files (.vbk, .vib, .vrb), preventing read/write operations.

Resolutions:

  1. Temporarily disable or create exclusions in antivirus software for the repository path.
  2. Check for open handles using Sysinternals Handle or Resource Monitor → Disk to identify processes locking files.
  3. Avoid simultaneous operations (e.g., defragmentation, deduplication, or replication jobs) that might access the same files.

Advanced Troubleshooting

If the above resolutions do not resolve the issue:

  1. Review job logs under:
    C:\ProgramData\Veeam\Backup\<JobName>\Job.<timestamp>.log
    Look for lines indicating which file or repository path failed to open.
  2. Check for chain corruption: If .vbk or .vib files are missing or damaged, perform a repository rescan and remove orphaned restore points.
  3. Run a repository health check (for Scale-out Repository extents):
    • Right-click the repository → Properties → Maintenance → Perform Health Check.
  4. Restart the Veeam services (Veeam Backup Service, Veeam Broker Service, Veeam Transport Service) if file locks persist after other fixes.

Preventive Recommendations

  • Schedule periodic repository health checks and capacity monitoring alerts in Veeam.
  • Configure antivirus exclusions for all Veeam processes and backup paths.
  • Use Scale-out Backup Repositories (SOBR) to distribute load and reduce contention.
  • Regularly verify backup chains with SureBackup or Instant VM Recovery to catch file access issues early.

If you continue to experience errors after performing these steps, please contact Support@Managecast.com for assistance.

Scroll to Top