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6 Useful Ways to Fix File History Backup Not Working in Windows 10

Isabella Shinn
Isabella Shinn

Updated:

As a native backup tool in Windows, File History enables you to simply and automatically backup files such as documents, pictures, videos, music or offline OneDrive files to an external drive. However, File history does not back up everything and it is easy to run into errors. It does not back up your program, system and settings, and may keep stopping during backup. If you are using this tool, here you should know the reasons why File History not working and 6 common ways to fix the issue.

fix "File History stopped working" issues


Part 1: Why Does File History Backup Stop Working

It is various errors that may cause your Windows 10 File History not working. Before backup, you may encounter "File History Does Not Recognize This Drive" or "File History No Usable Drives Found" error. During backup, File History may suddenly stop and not work anymore. If you find your File History stopping and not working, here are some probable reasons you should know.

  • Outdated or damaged Windows OS: File history may stop backing up in Windows with old version or damaged system files.
  • Disabled File History service: When File History suddenly stops working, it is likely that File History service is accidentally disabled and it cannot automatically running again.
  • Encrypted drive/file: The encrypted files that won’t be backed up.by File History. If you have your drive encrypted with BitLocker or files encrypted with EFS, File History is unable to backup once it detects the encrypted files.
  • Insufficient drive space: When the free space in drive is not enough to back up your files, File History will stop backing up.
  • Unstable Network connection: If you back up Windows files to a Network drive, File History backup may stopped by a disconnected Network.

Part 2: How Do I Fix File History Not Working


Fix 1: Update Windows OS

Old Windows version with bugs may lead to File History not working stably. If you meet the issue in an outdated Windows, you can attempt to update your Windows system to fix it. Here are the steps.

Step 1: Go to Settings > Update and Security > Windows Update.

Step 2: Click Check for updates button to update Windows and check if File History works again.

update Windows

Fix 2: Restart File History Services

The most common way to fix File History not working is restarting it. You need to check if File History service is disable or manually running. If yes, please follow these steps to make sure your File History service is enabled and automatically running.

Step 1: Press Win + R and enter services.msc

Step 2: Right-click on File History Service and click Restart. Then File History will be relaunched and set into automatically running.

restart File History Service

Fix 3: Reset File History Settings

If your File History stops working during backup, one of the effective ways to fix the issue is to reset File History settings. You can try to delete the unfinished backup files in drive and start a fresh backup with the same drive or a different drive.

Step 1: Go to Settings > System and Security > Backup > More options. Scroll down and click Stop using drive.

stop using drive

Step 2: Go back to Settings > System and Security > Backup. Then click Add a drive to choose previous drive or another available drive.

add a drive

Fix 4: Run SFC Tool

If some unknown issues occurring to Windows, which leads to missing or corrupted system files, File History may stop working. In this case, you can try to use sfc tool to repair system and make your File History work again. Here are the steps.

Step 1: Press Win + X and then press A to run Command Prompt as administrator.

Step 2: Input sfc /scannow in the Run window and hit Enter button.

run sfc tool to repair system

Fix 5: Decrypt BitLocker Drive Encryption

When your Computer is protected by BitLocker drive encryption but the File History drive is not, File History may not work. Thus, turning off BitLocker may be also a chance to fix this issue. You can follow the steps below to disable BitLocker.

Step 1: Click Start menu and choose Control Panel > System and Security > BitLocker Drive Encryption.

Step 2: Locate the encrypted drive and click Unlock button next to it, entering a correct password. Then choose Turn off BitLocker.

turn off BitLocker

Wait until BitLocker is disabled, go back to check if File History can works normally.

Fix 6: Decrypt EFS Files

Sometimes, File History is not working for all files with hint “File history has found files that are encrypted with Encrypting File System”, namely, you need to decrypt the encrypted files before backing up them. Here you can follow the steps.

Step 1: Right-click the encrypt file or folder and choose Properties. Then click Advanced button.

right-click file and choose properties > Advanced

Step 2: In Advanced Attributes, make sure Encrypt contents to secure data is unchecked. Then click OK twice to finish the decryption.

decypte file

Bonus Tips: How to Backup Windows 10 without File History

Since File History has its limitation carrying various issues, it is suggested that you use an alternative backup tool such as iSumsoft Cloner. Comparing with File History not backing up everything, iSumsoft Cloner allows you to easily and rapidly make a full backup of Windows. In addition to backing up Windows, it also enables you to migrate system without reinstalling Windows and create a bootable disk fixing system failure. Now, let’s try to backup with iSumsoft Cloner.

Before begin, install iSumsoft Cloner on Computer and launch it. Meanwhile, connect your external hard drive/USB drive to Computer and format it as NTF/exFAT File system. Then follow the steps as below.

download Cloner

Step 1: Under Backup tab, choose the partition containing files you want to back up.

Step 2: Click Choose button to select a desired location to save your backup files.

Step 3: When everything is ready, click Start to start backing up files with iSumsoft Cloner.

use iSumsoft Cloner to back up Windows when File History is not working

The Bottom Line

That’s all about how to fix File History not working with 6 common ways. Actually, it is easy to deal with one issue in File History. However, you may confront different issues in File History and need to figure out corresponding solutions to address them. Hence, to make it easier to back up without so many irritating problems, it is more recommended that you back up Windows files using a professional cloning/backup tool like iSumsoft Cloner.