Your MacBook® is trying to run a Time Machine® backup—but it’s been stuck on “Preparing backup” for way too long. You’re not alone. This common macOS® issue can happen for a few different reasons, and the good news is, it’s often easy to fix.
Asurion Experts have the know-how to help people troubleshoot backup issues like this every day, plus all other tech care issues that arise. If Time Machine is stuck on preparing a backup, here’s what to do to get it working again.
How long should “Preparing backup” take?
Normally, Time Machine spends a few minutes preparing your files—especially during the first backup or after long gaps between backups. But if it stays stuck there for over 30 minutes, it likely needs your attention.
Step 1: Stop the backup process
- Click the Time Machine icon in the menu bar
- Select Cancel Backup
- Wait for the process to stop completely
Once it’s canceled, move on to the next step.
Step 2: Delete the in-progress backup file
A corrupt or incomplete backup file can cause Time Machine to hang.
- Open Finder
- Go to your external backup drive
- Open the folder called Backups.backupdb
- Locate the folder for your Mac and look for a file ending in .inProgress
- Delete that file and empty the Trash
Step 3: Restart your Mac
Restarting can help clear any stuck processes before starting a new backup.
- Click the Apple menu
- Select Restart
Once your Mac reboots, reconnect your backup drive and try again.
Step 4: Check your drive for errors
The issue could also be with your external drive.
- Open Disk Utility
- Select your backup drive from the left-hand menu
- Click First Aid, then Run to scan for and fix errors
If First Aid finds issues it can’t fix, try using another external drive if possible.
Step 5: Exclude large or corrupted files
Sometimes, Time Machine freezes while processing certain files.
- Go to System Settings > General > Time Machine
- Click Options
- Add large folders or files to the exclusion list
- Try the backup again
Still having trouble? Explore our guide on how to back up your digital life or learn about our data backup and recovery services for MacBook.
FAQ
Why does Time Machine get stuck on preparing backup?
It may be caused by a corrupted backup file, a failing external drive, or an unusually large or problematic file being backed up.
Is it safe to cancel a Time Machine backup?
Yes. If it’s stuck, canceling it won’t damage your data. Just make sure to delete the .inProgress file before starting again.
What if my external drive fails First Aid?
You may need to reformat the drive or replace it. Always keep a backup of your important files elsewhere if your drive seems unreliable.
How can I prevent this from happening again?
Back up your Mac regularly, keep your drive healthy with Disk Utility, and avoid disconnecting your drive during backups.
