Airport time capsule does not backup.

Question

Level 1

8 points

Airport time capsule does not backup.

Even though there is 2TB of free space on the disk and I can format it without any problems whenever I want, the backup does not start. It used to take regular and trouble-free backups.

Shortly after starting the backup, I get a “Backup Not Complete” message.

Do I need to replace the disk of my Time Capsule, which I have been using for about seven years?

If so, can I use a Toshiba S300 2TB Surveillance HDD?

This drive is recommended for camera recordings.

(*) Toshiba S300 2TB Surveillance HDD – 3.5”, 5400RPM, 128MB Cache, SATA III

Posted on Dec 4, 2025 12:10 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Bob Timmons

Community+ 2025

Level 10

184,610 points

Dec 4, 2025 3:06 PM in response to Bob Timmons

What operating system are you using on your Mac?

We ask because Apple has previously announced that newer operating systems will no longer support backups to a Time Capsule.

AirPort Extreme Base Station or Time Capsule

These solutions are no longer recommended, because they use Apple Filing Protocol (AFP), which won't be supported in a future version of macOS.

Or, maybe the backup file has become corrupted?

Hold down the option key on your Mac while you click on the Time Machine clock icon at the top of the screen.

Select and run Verify Backups.

The process may take some time, because the entire backup file must be checked for corruption. You will be notified when the process has completed.

Post back on your results.

Reply

Answer 2

Dec 5, 2025 12:22 PM in response to Cinquanta

Not easy to know really whether it is the Time Capsule electronics or the internal hard drive on the Time Capsule that is causing the issues.

Do you have a spare USB drive that you could format in Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and connect it to the USB port on the Time Capsule, to try set up some "test" Time Machine backups that way?

If Time Machine can back up to the test USB drive, then you know that the electronics are OK on the Time Capsule and the disk probably needs replacement.......if you want to continue to use an older device to back up the Mac.

If you cannot back up to the "test" USB drive though, the Time Capsule electronics are failing.

I have replaced hard drives in much older "flat" shaped Time Capsules, but not in the "tall" or "tower" version of the Time Capsule, so more research will be needed if you want to try replacing the disk inside the most recent version of the Time Capsule.

I would also wonder about the power supply on the Time Capsule, since it is at least 7 years old and likely older.

Reply

Answer 3

Dec 4, 2025 2:57 PM in response to Cinquanta

What operating system are you using on your Mac?

We ask because Apple has previously announced that newer operating systems will no longer support backups to a Time Capsule.

AirPort Extreme Base Station or Time Capsule

These solutions are no longer recommended, because they use Apple Filing Protocol (AFP), which won't be supported in a future version of macOS.

Reply

Answer 4

Dec 7, 2025 6:27 AM in response to Cinquanta

OK, I hooked up my old "tower" Time Capsule and erased the disk again.....even though there was nothing on the disk.

The Mac running Sequoia had no problem with Time Machine backing up to the Time Capsule.

The Mac running Tahoe would allow the Time Capsule to be selected as a backup destination, but an error message to the effect that newer operating systems will not back up using Time Machine appears a minute or two later.

So, if you are thinking about installing a new hard drive in the Time Capsule, it is only going to work on Macs running Sequoia or earlier operating systems.

Reply

Answer 5

Dec 6, 2025 8:04 AM in response to Cinquanta

My gut reaction is that it is probably time to retire the Time Capsule. I still have an idle tower version of the Time Capsule here that I will hook up to run some checks to see what it can and cannot do on Macs running Sequoia and Tahoe. (Actually, I know Time Machine won't work on the Tahoe Mac, but I'll check this anyway).

It will take me a few days to get this done, and I will post back at that time on the results.

If you need the ability to back up over the network going forward, you will need a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device to connect to your main router using an Ethernet cable connection. Synology is a popular choice, because they offer support for Time Machine. There may be other NAS products that do the same thing.

Reply

Answer 6

Cinquanta Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 5, 2025 6:13 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Thank you for your reply. Here are the answers to your questions:

macOS 15.3.1 (24D70) on MacBook Pro 13”, M2, 2022

and

macOS Monterey Version 12.7.6 on Mac mini (Late 2014)

I use Time Capsule (the tower model).

I had erased disk several times. So there is not any backup available.

I did what you said anyway. Message received: Waiting for the first backup to complete. Next backup: Automatic (weekly).

I also use an external drive via usb-c to MacBook Pro for backup which I am used to using monthly. It does not backup too. It waits other backup to complete, even though there is no ongoing backup.

Unfortunately, I also formatted this external hard drive and there are no backups left on it.

Reply

Answer 7

Cinquanta Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 6, 2025 7:38 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Hi,

I have a 2TB Seagate HDD which is usb-A attached. I was using it for direct backups of MacBook Pro by Time Machine application.

By the way direct backups of MacBook Pro is failing now, too.

I formatted it Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and connected it to the USB port on the Airport Time Capsule. Backup starts but does not complete. One hour later it repeats backup attempt. Can not complete again.

I see a file created in the external drive named sparebundle. Perhaps I have to perform this test with a brand new external disk.

Power supply of the Airport Time Capsule’s age should be more than seven years, I believe. If you need a part number or serial number of the power supply I can open the capsule and find it.

What do you advice?

Regards.

Reply

Answer 8

Dec 8, 2025 8:00 AM in response to Cinquanta

I only wonder if Time Machine application will be available for direct backups from MacBook to an external hard drive on Macs running Sequoia or higher levels

Yes it will. I have an external USB drive connected to an iMac running Sequoia and another USB drive connected to my MacBook Pro running Tahoe and everything works just fine.

Reply

Answer 9

Cinquanta Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 9, 2025 12:27 AM in response to Bob Timmons

This kind of direct backups will be sufficient for me. There is no need to use NAS devices for my personal usage.

Many thanks again for all your help.

Reply

Answer 10

Cinquanta Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 8, 2025 6:53 AM in response to Bob Timmons

I noticed a different message during automatic backup attempts:

Time Machine was unable to complete the backup to “Backup”.

The disk named “Macintosh HD” could not be backed up by Time Machine because it is almost full.

Delete some files on the disk and try again.

When I checked my MacBook Pro, it had just over 1GB of free disk space. I freed up about 50GB of space on the disk.

The next backup attempt started successfully. About 24 hours later, the MacBook Pro's backup to the Airport Time Capsule was successfully completed.

After your notification, I will no longer spend money on this Time Capsule. Your support was useful for troubleshooting issues for me.

I only wonder if Time Machine application will be available for direct backups from MacBook to an external hard drive on Macs running Sequoia or higher levels. If so there is no need to use a NAS device for backups.

Thank you very much for your all explanation and help.

Reply