Time Machine stops backing up on its own, but can be backed up manually - solution

I thought I'd post this in case others encountered the same difficulty.

My main iMac runs El Capitan (full details below avatar).

I have two Time Machines (TM) which Backup (BU) alternately on the hour. For no reason I could explain, they stopped doing this. I could BU manually, but not automatically. I also noticed that the TM icon in the menu bar went from white to a dark colour. It could have been red, but I use Dark Mode and defining a dark colour against a dark background..............

I rebooted the iMac. No change.

To cut to the solution: Opened TM preferences, switched off TM and deselected both EHDs. Rebooted iMac. Opened TM, re-selected both EHDs, switched TM slider to On. All working normally.

It's not rocket science, I know; but a simple solution to a problem which others might face in the future.

Ian

Thanks for the tip Ian!

I have a Time Capsule...and if this happend to me...it would be pretty frustrating. As you said...nice simple solution. Like many things...only seems simple after we know the solution. Sometimes it takes hours & hours to find the "simple solution" (which you found). Hopefully this particular solution didn't take hours & hours.

Thanks,

- Nick

In other words...
Did you try turning it off then on again?

cradom said:

In other words...
Did you try turning it off then on again?

Click to expand...

Yes, Craig; several times, before I did the other bit.

Ian