How to Fix Google Drive Backup Not Working

Google has been updating its backup system to provide fast and error-free data transition via Google Drive. But it still has not come close enough to the iOS backup system. Sometimes, Google Drive backs up your data and Settings but fails to import it. And sometimes, it simply stops backing up your data. Many users have reported that their Google Drive backup is not working and shows the “Waiting to Backup” error all the time.

As shown in the screenshot below, the Back up Now button is disabled when you face the Google Drive Backup error. So, we will fix this error using ADB commands. And the best part is that you won’t need root privileges to fix this issue.

Google Drive backup not working Backup Now button disabled
Google Drive – Backup Now button disabled

Requirements to Fix “Waiting to Backup” Error in Google Drive

Before we start fixing the Google Drive backup error, here are some things that you need to take care of.

1. Enable USB Debugging in Phone

Before you start, make sure that you have enabled USB Debugging on your Android phone. If you have not enabled USB debugging already, open Settings and go to About Phone.

Here, tap on the Build Number seven times to activate Developer Options. Press the Back button once and you will see the “Developer Options” menu. Open it and scroll down to enable “USB debugging”. Click here for the detailed tutorial.

2. Setup ADB on your Computer

Secondly, ADB must be properly set up on your computer. You can check this detailed tutorial for setting up ADB on your PC. After you are done with the basics, let’s move to the process.


SEE ALSO: How to Transfer Data from old Android Phone to new Android Phone?

Fix Google Drive Backup Not Working Error using ADB Commands

In this tutorial, we have explained the step-by-step process using which you can fix the Google Drive backup not working error. So, let’s get through the process.

Step 1: Open CMD in ADB folder

First of all, connect your device to your computer and open the folder where you have installed ADB tools. Now, open the Command Prompt in the same folder. You can also simply type cmd in the Explorer’s address bar and press Enter.

Open Command Prompt in ADB folder
Open Command Prompt in the ADB folder

Step 2: Connect your Android Phone via ADB

A Command Prompt window will open in the same folder. Now, type the adb devices command to check if the computer has detected your Android device or not.

When connected successfully, you will get a prompt on your smartphone asking for permission to allow USB debugging. Tap on Allow. If the command prompt shows the serial number of your device, the connection is successful.

Connect your Android phone via ADB and allow USB debugging
Connect your Android phone via ADB and allow USB debugging

Step 3: Manually Start Backup using ADB Command

Now after you have successfully established the connection with the Android device, type the following commands one by one and press Enter. If you don’t get any errors during the process, restart your smartphone.

adb shell
bmgr run
bmgr backupnow --all
Manually start backup in Google Drive to Fix backup not working error
Manually start backup in Google Drive

Step 4: Try Google Drive Backup Again

Your Google Drive backup should start working again and the greyed out Back up Now button should be enabled now.

Google Drive backup issue fixed
The Google Drive backup issue fixed

If You Encounter Any Errors

In case, you get any kind of errors, while running ADB commands, run the following commands one by one and restart your phone. These commands will manually force Google Drive to start the backup process. Make sure you are in the ADB Shell mode already. If not, simply type adb shell command to get into ADB Shell mode.

bmgr backupnow appdata
bmgr backupnow --all
Force Google Drive backup from ADB if you face errors
Force Google Drive backup from ADB

SEE ALSO: How to Backup your WhatsApp chats to your Google Drive?

Solve Google Drive Backup Errors using ADB Commands

The above tutorial explained, how you can fix the Google Drive backup error using simple ADB commands. The backup system of Android is quite great but still faces issues like this. Hope this tutorial helped you solve the Google Drive backup issue on your Android device. If you are still facing issues, feel free to write your queries and suggestions in the comment section below.

Editorial Staff

Hi there, we are the editorial staff at WINDOSPC (former HELLPC). We are a team of funny and technical people. Feel free to get in touch with us via Contact-Us page.

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