4 ways to fix Windows System backup failed in preparing the backup image

Error

"There was a failure in preparing the backup image of one of the volumes in the backup set 0x807800c5."

Behind the given message, there is usually some additional information that supplements the failure, for example, 'the mounted backup volume is inaccessible. Please retry the operation (0x8078004F)', 'backup disk cannot be found', or 'the version does not support this version of the file format', etc.

Cause

Preparing the backup image failed with error code 0x807800c5 suggests a conflict of the identical folders named WindowsImageBackup. To put it more specifically, when you use Windows File History, the inbuilt Backup and Restore program in Windows 10, 8 and 7, to create a system image, you save the image to a WindowsImageBackup, and the folder is set to locate at a specified location, for example, volume E: that is with adequate unused space.

Some days later, you did another system backup, and try to save it to the same folder placed in the same location. Oops, system image backup failed error prompted, saying that there is a failure in preparing the backup image of one of the volumes...

Hence, in conclusion, the catastrophe is caused by obsolete backup files in the same partition.

Solutions

After figuring out the reasons behind the error, we collect 3 most applied fixing methods to help work the problem out. They are given in an ascending order from easy to complex.

Method 1. Get another free system backup solution

EaseUS Todo Backup has been serving as free backup software that enables Windows users to create a backup for operating system, files, folders, system drive, boot drive, data partition, and restore the backup image whenever the computer crashed, data inaccessible, disk formatted, Windows reinstalled. Best of all, it can be used as an instant remedy as soon as Windows Backup and Restore program failed to backup due to various error messages including preparing the backup image failure, or some other third-party backup utilities you're currently using encountered backup problems.

To get rid of the error message while creating system backup, download and install EaseUS Todo Backup, and follow the wizard to accomplish the system backup without hassle.

Method 2. Rename the old backup folder

Step 1. Open the control panel in Windows 8 or 10, locate File History.
Step 2. Double click on the backup and restore program, you'll clearly see where your backup image is located. Follow the path and find the folder called WindowsImageBackup. e.g. the path is E:\WindowsImageBackup.
Step 3. All you need to do is to change the folder name to WindowsImageBackup.old. To distinguish it from the newly created backup.

Method 3. Recreate a new partition or format drive for Windows system backup

If the destination partition or target USB/external hard drive become inaccessible or corrupted, Windows system backup won't complete. In order to make the process to complete successfully, it's highly recommended to create a new partition or format the USB/external hard drive for Windows system backup.

Method 4. Delete the previous system restore point and turn on Windows system protection

1. Press Win + S > Type: System > Select System;

2. Click System protection > Configure > Disable system protection;

3. Click Delete to delete previously created system restore points;

4. Repeat step 1 > Click on System protection > Configure;
5. Select Turn on system protection > Apply > OK;
After this, restart PC and you shall be able to create Windows system in your PC again.