Why does my backup software report Media is write protected when I try to perform a backup using a Dell PowerVault DLT1 tape drive?

Summary: Software reports a “Media is write protected” error on a Digital Linear Tape (DLT) 1 with DLT4000 tape; the DLT1 can only read, not write; causing a write failure seen as protection.

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Symptoms

Restart the backup process
 

Restart the backup process using a blank cartridge or one previously written in DLT1 format.

 

 

 

Backup Software reports Media is Write Protected

 

The following error message is displayed even though the write protect LED on the drive is not on and the write protect tab on the media cartridge itself is not enabled:

Media is write protected

You will get this message if you are trying to write to a media cartridge that has previously been written in DLT4000 format. The DLT1 can only read but not write DLT4000 formatted tapes. If you try to do a backup to the media, the drive will report to the backup software that it cannot write to the tape.  The backup software interprets this information as a write protect error and displays that message accordingly.

 

 


Cause

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Resolution

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Affected Products

Entry Level & Midrange
Article Properties
Article Number: 000127362
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 09 Dec 2025
Version:  5
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