How to VSS error code 0x8004231f in Windows?

Macrium Reflect is a known disk cloning and image utility. Some users started facing VSS error code 0x8004231f while trying to create a backup with macrium reflect. We looked into it and found some solutions to fix this error. Let’s get into it.

Check Volume Shadow Copy Services

If volume shadow copy services are disabled on your system, it can cause VSS error code 0x8004231f as relevant programs will be unable to run. It is important to check volume shadow copy services before getting into more technical solutions.

Here are the steps you can follow to check volume shadow copy services:

1. Type Services in the search bar on your taskbar and click Open.
2. Locate Volume shadow copy in the services bar and double-click on it.

3. Check service status. If it is stopped, click on start. If it is running, click on stop and then hit start to get it running again.
4. Click on Apply and hit Ok to save changes.

Once done, check if the error still persists.

Increase Shadow Storage Space

If the first solution didn’t work, it means you might have a lack of shadow storage due to which you’re getting VSS error. It is better to check your shadow storage space, then allocate more space if needed. 

Follow below steps to increase shadow storage space:

1. Press Windows key + R simultaneously on your keyboard, to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type cmd and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys to launch Command Prompt. 
3. Type the following command and press Enter to execute your command:

vssadmin list shadowstorage

4. Type the following command to increase the storage, you can increase the 10GB space to your desired amount of space.

vssadmin resize shadowstorage /For=C: /On=C: /MaxSize=10GB

5. Once completing all steps, check whether this solution worked for you.

Remove Old VSS Snapshots

Windows create restore points during operational tasks. These restore points create images to keep track of the actions and to restore the system to an earlier point. But these snapshots take up a lot of disk space.

If you’re unable to increase the shadow storage space, you can remove old VSS snapshots to free up some space. Follow these steps to remove snapshots:

1. Press Windows key + R simultaneously on your keyboard, to open Run dialog box.
2. Type cmd and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys to launch Command Prompt. 
3. Type the following command and press Enter 

vssadmin delete shadows /all 

4. Type the following command to see the list of snapshots:

vssadmin list shadows

5. Follow the following command to remove the snapshot ID. You can replace the ID name with the ID that you want to delete.

vssadmin delete shadows/ shadow={56d1345d-6160-439b-82ec-1c2ab5a72eed

Disable Your Firewall

Windows Firewall is an application that filters out the unnecessary information interfering with your system. It blocks unwanted programs to interfere with your system’s settings. That’s why it’s important to enable it, especially while browsing the web, as it keeps your system’s security intact. However, sometimes a firewall interferes with your system when it goes through an update and you face a few errors here and there like the VSS error code.

It is better to disable your Windows Firewall temporarily to get rid of error code 0x8004231f. Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to the Start menu on your task manager and select Settings.
2. Navigate to Update and Security > Widows Security.
3. Choose Firewall and Network Protection. Select a network profile.
4. Scroll down to the Microsoft Defender Firewall section and turn it off.
5. Once done, check if this fixed the error.

Disable Your Antivirus Software

Like Windows Firewall, any Antivirus Software can be doing the same thing to your system. It might be blocking your system to create backups. Disabling your antivirus software for a while can help you to get rid of VSS error code 0x8004231f. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Right-click on your Antivirus software. 
2. Choose Disable from the context menu.

If you are unable to disable your antivirus software by the above-mentioned steps, launch your software. Find the disable option from the main menu of your antivirus software.

Please let us know in the comment section below which solution worked for you?