Time Machine backup issue

[scouser75]

Guys, I'm trying to do a Time Machine backup to a drive I've used previously, but for some reason am getting the following meesage.

I can see the backup disk on my desktop so wondering what's gone wrong.

Time Machine couldn’t complete the backup to “MBP M2 Backup”
The backup disk could not be found.
Makesure the backup disk is connected or select a different backup disk.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Basic troubleshooting steps here.

If not resolved, reply with details.

 

[Fishrrman]

Want trouble-free backup?
Then... try either CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper...

 

[scouser75]

Thanks All. I tried every step on the link below but nothing seemed to work. The disk was showing on my desktop and finder, but just wouldn't work with TM. In the end, I just added it again and bang! it started to backup. I then deleted the drive that wasn't working on TM.

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/mac-help/mh15141/14.0/mac/14.0

 

[AVBeatMan]

My time machine says insufficient free space on the backup disc? I can't seem to delete to free up space? Any ideas?

 

[FreakinEurekan]

My time machine says insufficient free space on the backup disc? I can't seem to delete to free up space? Any ideas?

You either have too small a backup disk, or large files with too many changes. Or both.

For disk size, 2X your data is minimum capacity. 3X or 4X is better.

If that’s not the issue, then look for any folders with large files & frequent changes, that aren’t important enough to back up and exclude them. Examples:

• Scratch folder for video/audio editing
• Downloads folder
• VM images

Lots of other possibilities; those are just file types I’ve had to exclude on my own backups.

Once you identify and exclude those - you still have the problem with the disk space on your current backup drive. 2 choices: (1) erase the backup drive and start over (if your disk is ABSOLUTELY big enough at 3X-4X data size) or (2) buy a new backup disk (best if it’s only 2X data size).