Airport time capsule does not backup.

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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

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Bob Timmons

Community+ 2025

Level 10

184,460 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.

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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.

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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.

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Answer 4

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.

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