# VSS Error: Device is not ready

The error message indicating "`Device is not ready`" is a VSS snapshot error.

It indicates that the VSS snapshot may have been destroyed while the backup was in progress. VSS snapshots can be destroyed manually by malware, or by ‘cleanup’ type programs. They can also be destroyed if the device is low on disc space, and the device uses space in the ‘shadow’ area where the snapshot is being put together.

#### Suggested solutions are:

* Check if other software is requesting a VSS snapshot operation at the same time as eazyBackup's request for a VSS snapshot.
* Run the backup again to see if the problem still persists - the issue may have been temporary.
* Check the disk space on the device - low disk space is the most cause and is outside of eazyBackup control.

***

[eazyBackup](https://eazybackup.com)


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.eazybackup.com/troubleshooting/vss-error-device-is-not-ready.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.