Backup Failure exit code 40 - VSS snapshot settings has been manually disabled in master.ini file

SUMMARY

This article will discuss the steps to recover from a "VSS snapshot settings has been manually disabled in master.ini file" error exit code 40

ISSUE

File level and SQL backups fail with "exit code 40" and produces warnings stating "VSS snapshot settings has been manually disabled in master.ini file".
 

RESOLUTION

1. Uninstall the old agent following How to manually reinstall the Windows Agent.
2. Ensure the MS SQL writers are enabled.
3. Run a new full backup.
4. Subsequent backups should complete successfully.

CAUSE

This issue may occur following a failed agent push update.