Backup never completes

Hi iankg,

Blank posts happen when www.remarpro.com decides the post was spammy, and removes it – unfortunately when that happens they don’t let anyone else reply either to alert you to the problem.

Looking at the log, you seem to have a toxic combination of a lot of data to back up, and very slow web hosting. But fear not! Try this:

1) Update to the development version: https://updraftplus.com/faqs/devversion

2) Go into the expert settings, and reduce the ‘split’ size to 500Mb.

3) Try again, and please post the full log here.

David

P.S. Wait about 3 hours after starting the backup before posting the log.

Most excellent! I’ve done that, run a backup, and it’s now saying “The backup apparently succeeded and is now complete” (although strangely the line above it still says “No backup has been completed.”. Oh, hold on, it’s still doing things even as I type… Anyway, it looks promising so far, and I’ll send another log this evening.

Incidentally, I’m intrigued by your comment about very slow web hosting. Since I did the website earlier this year I’ve had the subjective impression that it was slow, but I’ve never used WordPress before so I don’t know what to compare it to, and if it is slow whether it’s because of the hosting, or the theme/plugins, or what. Is there a way to tell conclusively (a) that it’s slow, and (b) that it’s the hosting that is causing it?

Many thanks,

Ian

Oh, and one more ickle question – the time at the end of the “Last log message” line is always an hour behind local time – is there a setting somewhere, or does it always report in GMT/UTC?

Ian

Hi Ian,

I read a lot of log files, and of course they’re all UpdraftPlus on WordPress. So, I’m noticing the speed of your web hosting rather than WordPress generically. e.g.:

0254.819 (3) Created themes zip - file size is 3567.3 Kb in 122.8 s (29.1 Kb/s)

We’re more used to seeing typically from 200Kb/s upwards rather than 29Kb/s.

Note though that I’m not saying there’s sufficient data for me to say that your hosting is slow – just that it was very slow at the specific time that backup in that log file was run. But if you notice it generally, then perhaps it is.

Times: the log file records in UTC, because it’s then portable for me as a developer to read. But, since this causes a lot of confusion, the next release will show it within the “Last log message” portion in the WordPress-configured timezone instead.

David

OK, it all seems to have completed happily with the dev version and the setting you suggested. Latest log can be found here:

https://pastebin.com/5t5Arb9J

Looking at the comparable stats in this new log file to the one you quoted from the original, the speed seems to have radically increased. Maybe the server was having a bad morning… or maybe it’s just plain flaky! I’ve just realised (from the message within the automated backup status mail) that you offer your own hosting facilities – I respect the fact that you didn’t thrust that down my throat when I first mentioned my problem! We could maybe have a separate conversation about your hosting facilities – is that you, or a colleague? What’s the best way to contact?

Many thanks again for your prompt support,

Ian

Hi Ian,

Yes – that backup looks like it succeeded; and looks a lot more like normal performance. Perhaps the server you’re on is shared with other sites that have particular peak times. (Just a guess).

However, I do see a couple of quirks in there to do with new code. Would you be able to do me a favour, and update again to the development version again (which I’ve just changed), run a new backup, and post your log after an hour? https://updraftplus.com/faqs/devversion

Thanks for asking about hosting – best thing to do is drop me a line at david at simbahosting co uk.

David

Running now…

Ok, latest log here:

https://pastebin.com/yHtyLwRh

Let me know if you need another version tested.

Cheers,

Ian

Hi Ian,

Thanks, much appreciated! I can see from the log that I fixed one of the quirks, and that for the other I mixed up min() and max() in the extra line of code I’d added to fix it. Would you mind having one more go, please? (i.e. update once more: https://updraftplus.com/faqs/devversion).

BTW, I’m a Christian and Baptist – was preaching yesterday in my local church.

Best wishes,
David

Hi David,

I’m so sorry – I’ve just realised I never replied to this one! I did install that update, although I think it’s now been superceded by another release (or several…)

Latest log is here, if it’s still of use:
https://pastebin.com/c2QggD2G

Yes, I guessed you were the David of St Neots Evangelical – saw ACTS Kenya from your website and it was an easy trail from there – but decided against mentioning it on the basis that it would sound like I was some sort of stalker! ??

Cheers,

Ian

Hi Ian,

Thank you – that log shows the problem was fixed as expected.

Your sleuthing is too complicated! If you look at the top of the UpdraftPlus settings page then there’s a direct link to my homepage – on which the first link is to the church I was referring to – in Banbury! ??

David