PowerProtect: Backup Copies Stuck at IN USE-RESTORING Status with No Active Restore Operations

Summary: PowerProtect Data Manager backup copies become stuck in an IN‑USE or RESTORING status even though no active restore operations are in progress. The affected copies cannot be expired, deleted, or used for subsequent restore operations. This is a known defect that affects all PowerProtect Data Manager versions prior to 19.22.0‑24 and 20.1.0.1‑10. Upgrading to a version that contains the fix prevents the issue from occurring on future copies but does not correct existing stuck copies. Copies already affected require cleanup through Dell Support. ...

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
Check out other resources

Symptoms

Copies are left with IN-USE or RESTORING status despite there being no restores in progress. This prevents the affected copies from being expired and deleted or used in any other restores.

Cause

A known code defect in PowerProtect Data Manager causes backup copies to remain in an IN‑USE or RESTORING state after a restore operation completes or is cancelled. All PowerProtect Data Manager versions prior to 19.22.0‑24 and prior to 20.1.0.1‑10 may be affected.

Under normal operation, PowerProtect Data Manager transitions the copy status back to IDLE after the restore finishes. The defect prevents this state transition from occurring, which leaves the copies permanently locked in the IN‑USE or RESTORING state. 

Resolution

  1. Prevent Future Occurrences
    • Upgrade to PowerProtect Data Manager 19.22.0‑24, 20.1.0.1‑10, or later. Download the latest PowerProtect Data Manager release from the PowerProtect Data Manager Drivers & Downloads page. These versions contain the fix that prevents copies from becoming stuck in IN‑USE or RESTORING status after restore operations.
    • Verify after upgrade - After upgrading, perform a test restore and confirm the copy status returns to IDLE after the restore completes.
    • Important: The upgrade prevents the issue from occurring on future restore operations. It does not automatically correct copies that are already stuck in IN‑USE or RESTORING status. Existing stuck copies require the cleanup procedure described in Step 2.
  2. Clean Up Already Affected Copies
    • Open a Dell Support service request and reference this article ID. Request cleanup of copies stuck in IN‑USE/RESTORING status.
    • Dell Support performs the remediation. Dell Support uses an approved remediation script to change the copy state from IN‑USE or RESTORING to IDLE for all affected copies.

Products

PowerProtect Data Manager
Article Properties
Article Number: 000491176
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 31 يوليو 2026
Version:  1
Find answers to your questions from other Dell users
Support Services
Check if your device is covered by Support Services.