Corrupted Backup Repository

Product version: All

Last modified: 21 August 2025

Problem

A backup job or scheduled maintenance task fails, and system logs indicate that the Backup Repository is corrupted. An example log entry may include the following information:

The "NAME_OF_REPOSITORY" hosted on "PATH_TO_REPOSITORY" is corrupted.

The repository becomes locked, and further operations are blocked to prevent potential data loss.

Background

When NAKIVO Backup & Replication detects symptoms of the corrupted repository (such as missing or inconsistent metadata), it automatically locks the repository to protect your backup infrastructure.

This situation is more common with Forever-Incremental repositories and typically results from:

  • Abrupt power failures or forced shutdowns

  • File system-level issues

  • Manual modification or deletion of backup files

  • Unplanned interruption of maintenance jobs

  • Mounting a repository from multiple machines simultaneously

Follow the steps below for safe investigation and assistance.

Solution

  1. Do not delete anything manually. Avoid modifying or removing backup files.

  2. Manually stop and disable all scheduled maintenance for the repository.

  3. Manually stop any running maintenance for the repository.

  4. Manually stop and disable backup jobs configured to use this repository.

  5. Check if the ./NakivoBackup/lock file is in the Repository folder. If the file exists, do not delete it. Contact our Support team for further instructions.

  6. Provide the details on what operations were being performed right before the repository became corrupted (e.g., job type, maintenance, shutdown, etc.).

  7. Zip and share the entire NakivoBackup folder located in the Repository path, excluding the raw subfolder. Ensure the following hidden files are included:

    • .desc

    • .desc2

    • .shifts

  8. Create the file listings with timestamps and permissions. Include the resulting listing.log file in your response:

    • On Linux, run the following command from the repository directory:

    ls -atlR --time-style=full-iso ./NakivoBackup > /tmp/listing.log

    • On Windows (PowerShell), run the following command from the repository directory:

    Get-ChildItem -R .\NakivoBackup | Sort-Object -Property LastWriteTime -Descending |

    Format-Table -Property LastWriteTime, Name, Directory, Length |

    Out-String -Width 1000 | Out-File listing.log -Encoding utf8