I remember the day when I first encountered Error 0x81000036. It was an ordinary morning, and I had just settled down to complete some important work. I was planning to back up some crucial files before diving into my projects for the day. My routine was straightforward: I would run the backup utility, ensure everything was safe, and then proceed with my tasks. But this time, as I initiated the backup process, I was abruptly met with an error message that read, “Error 0x81000036: Windows Could Not Find Backup Devices.” My heart sank. I had never seen this error before, and the urgency of the situation made it even more distressing.
My initial reaction was panic. I couldn’t afford to lose any files or experience delays. I needed to find a solution quickly. I began by researching the error code online. It was clear that this wasn’t a common problem, and the lack of immediate solutions only added to my frustration. I stumbled upon several forums and articles, but the information was often technical and convoluted. I needed a practical, step-by-step guide to fix this issue.
Determined to resolve the problem, I decided to approach it methodically. The first step was to ensure that the backup devices were indeed connected and functioning correctly. I checked all the cables, ports, and connections. Everything seemed to be in place, but the error persisted. It became evident that this wasn’t just a simple connectivity issue.
Next, I decided to delve into the Windows Backup settings. I navigated to the Control Panel and selected “Backup and Restore.” I noticed that the system was unable to detect the backup device, which was why it was throwing the error. I realized that there might be an issue with the configuration or the recognition of the backup device by the operating system.
I then turned my attention to updating drivers. Outdated or corrupted drivers could often cause such issues. I went to the Device Manager and checked for any updates for my backup device. To my surprise, there were no updates available, which meant that the drivers were up to date. This left me with the option of reinstalling the drivers. I uninstalled the backup device from the Device Manager and then reconnected it, allowing Windows to reinstall the drivers automatically. After rebooting my system, I tried the backup process again. Unfortunately, the error persisted.
Frustration was starting to set in, but I knew I had to keep going. My next step was to check for any system updates. Sometimes, a pending update could affect the functionality of backup utilities. I went to Windows Update and ensured that my system was fully up to date. After installing the latest updates, I restarted my computer and attempted the backup once more. Yet again, I was met with the same error message. It was clear that this issue was more complex than I initially anticipated.
At this point, I decided to look into the Event Viewer for more detailed error information. The Event Viewer is a powerful tool that logs various system events and errors. I accessed it through the Control Panel and navigated to the “Windows Logs” section. Here, I found more specific details related to Error 0x81000036. The logs indicated that there were issues with the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS), which is crucial for creating backups. It seemed that the problem might lie with this service.
I turned my attention to the Volume Shadow Copy Service. I went to the Services application, located the Volume Shadow Copy Service, and checked its status. It was stopped, and when I tried to start it, I encountered another error message. This was a breakthrough, as it pointed me towards a potential cause of the problem.
I searched for solutions related to VSS issues and found that repairing or re-registering the VSS components might help. Following the instructions I found online, I opened the Command Prompt with administrative privileges and ran a series of commands to re-register the VSS components. I used the commands: vssadmin list writers and vssadmin list providers to check the status of the VSS components. After executing the necessary commands to fix and re-register VSS, I restarted my computer once more and attempted the backup.
To my immense relief, the backup process finally began without any errors. It seemed that addressing the VSS issue had resolved the problem. I was able to complete my backup successfully, and the error 0x81000036 was no longer a concern.
In hindsight, this experience was both stressful and educational. It taught me the importance of systematic troubleshooting and provided me with a deeper understanding of how Windows handles backup processes and services. I learned to approach such issues methodically, checking each component and service until I found the root cause of the problem.
I hope my experience and solution help others who might face the same issue. Error 0x81000036 can be a daunting obstacle, but with persistence and a step-by-step approach, it is possible to resolve it and get your backup processes back on track.