Roon stuck on "snapshotting databases for backup" screen (ref#0GXYPF)

[jboyes99]

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What’s happening?

I'm having trouble playing music

When I launch Roon, it gets stuck at a screen that says "snapshotting databases for backup...". I'm using a MacBook Pro for my Roon Core, and a Bluesound 'vault' for my library. I see several directories in the Library folder on my Mac which relate to Roon or RoonServer. I think the issue began when I downloaded and installed a new Roon app from the website. Not sure how to get the latest app to rebuild a new database for my library of audio files on the Bluesound device.

[Mark_Sealey]

What’s the longest you have (ever) waited?

As your library increases in size, so will the time it takes for Roon to backup successfully… in the last few months, as I’ve added more and more music to Roon, I’ve noticed that the backup can indeed take more time that I was used to.

But it does always finish - even after, say, ten minutes. There seems to be a good chance that the next backup will be < 60 seconds.

Patience (however nerve-wracking that may be )?

[jboyes99]

Hi Mark, thanks for your reply. Unfortunately, even waiting for hours (and overnight), the status message does not change.
I think it’s unable to find the database (?)

[Mark_Sealey]

@jboyes99 - sorry to hear that. It’s too long. Something does seem wrong, I agree.

If you can run Roon, then it has for sure found its database. I suspect that if it couldn’t, it would complain at the Select Location step.

Might a little more detail on your Bluesound vault help, please? Path, permissions, network setup?

Which version of Roon; operating system?

[jboyes99]

I have a few screen shots to help. My vault is accessible from the Bluesound Player, so I don’t think it’s a network or connectivity issue.

I’m seeing a number of folders on my Mac that make me think something has gone amiss with installing a new version of the Mac desktop app.

[jboyes99]

I meant to include this screen shot of the Roon app on my desktop; seems to recognize the basic setup and have some sense of history, but my library does not show up, and nothing plays.

[Mark_Sealey]

Jim,

Yes, it looks as though there may be multiple version(s) of files of which there should only be one.

Given that you do have choices for where to back up to, what does your folder selection for the Blusound look like (screenshot), please? Settings > Storage?

But I appreciate that it’s more important for you to get your Roon Library back before backing up again. I’m sure that’s not going to be difficult.

[jboyes99]

Hi Mark; thanks for looking into this with me.
<< what does your folder selection for the Blusound look like >>
The Bluesound device is essentially a network attached drive; I have assigned it a static IP address and the audio files are all stored in a folder called “Music”.
Are there other Roon storage settings that I should be looking at?
Thx - Jim

[Mark_Sealey]

Jim,

@jboyes99

Hi Mark; thanks for looking into this with me.

You’re welcome

Bluesound… network attached drive… static IP address…stored in a folder called “Music”.
Are there other Roon storage settings that I should be looking at?

Understood. Thanks.

I think - and others will, I hope, chime in - that there may be two separate but related issues here: an incomplete or otherwise ‘compromised’ installation of Roon itself; and some setting amiss with your backups.

When you navigate: Settings > Backup before starting the database backup, there are three options/buttons:

1. View
2. Backup
3. Browse

What do you see (screenshots) for each of these? Presumably, you have been choosing ‘Backup’ when you get the error described in your first port?

[jboyes99]

@Mark_Sealey

<< Presumably, you have been choosing ‘Backup’ when you get the error described in your first port? >>

No, I’ve never intentionally created a backup (yes, I know that is bad practice!) I’ve enclosed screen shots as you suggested. The good news, is that there does appear to be a backup folder, but I’ve no idea how valid it is.

[Mark_Sealey]

Jim,

@jboyes99

…there does appear to be a backup folder, but I’ve no idea how valid it is…

Thanks for those screenshots.

They confirm that you have (and/or have had) Roon database backups in at least these two locations:

1. in ~/Documents/RoonBackup/RoonBackups (which appears to be the one that’s stalling: the ‘Stop’ legend in its button); this appears in your first and third screenshots
2. at the SMB (shared) location, 192.168.1.100… Roon is offering that as a location it appears to know in both your second (could that be your Bluesound ‘vault’?) and third screenshots.

Is that how you see and understand it, Jim, please?

If so, a good next step would be to navigate to each location in turn in the Finder and see what’s there.

Particularly important are the modification dates and sizes of (any) Roon database there.

Let’s try that next, please.

After that, a pragmatic approach would be simply to backup to a new location altogether - from Roon’s Settings > Backups > Backup button, the vertical middle of the three. Assuming that works, then to delete (any) backup(s) which are ‘misbehaving’ as invalid.

But before continuing with backups, may I confirm, please, that - apart from backing up - Roon does appear to be functioning as you would expect: that you can play, browse and import music etc?

That may not be the end of the story, though: as you said, there may be inconsistencies because of different upgrade ‘events’.

[jboyes99]

Hi Mark;
<< before continuing with backups, may I confirm, please, that - apart from backing up - Roon does appear to be functioning as you would expect: that you can play, browse and import music etc? >>
No, Roon is not working at all.
In a previous screenshot you can see a mostly blank home screen; it just indicates the number of songs, artists, etc. I’m unable to play anything from the Roon app.
There are mostly a series of empty folders in the backup location. One folder contains a number of files.

I’m wondering if I should delete all the Roon folders and start from scratch. Will the app simply build a new database if I do a fresh install?
Thx - Jim

[Mark_Sealey]

Jim,

@jboyes99

…Roon is not working at all…I’m unable to play anything from the Roon app…

Which really means that trying to fix the backups probably won’t get us very far.

There are mostly a series of empty folders in the backup location.

Mostly empty is possible, but not necessarily what’s to be expected.

One folder contains a number of files.

Yes, that’s normal. Those are typical Roon database files.

But there’s real doubt as to which backup is the most recent, and which other(s) may be corrupt or incomplete etc. So I don’t think there’s much point in pursuing the backup yet.

I’m wondering if I should delete all the Roon folders and start from scratch. Will the app simply build a new database if I do a fresh install?
Thx - Jim

Before deciding on that (and it does have its appeal, I agree - but it needs to be done properly), please make sure that your music library, your FLAC etc files, are all intact, safe and accessible, and in a fit state to be used for any new Roon library, which - Yes, Roon will rebuild once everything else is sorted out. But any changes (tagging, playlists, genres, manual identification of Albums, other customization etc will be lost. That’s because those are kept in your Roon database.

If that’s important, then we need to think again; and see if you can still use the/an existing Roon database.

Are they all backed up - at least once? If not, do that now - ideally to a separate external hard drive or thumb drive? Both even.

I’d expect them to occupy less than a Terabyte. Is roughly 962 Albums in the Finder what you see?

But I wouldn’t simply delete all Roon files from your Macintosh Hard Drive. You may leave unseen dependent ones there, which could interfere with a future installation.

Suggest using a piece of software which will remove everything like Remove-it. You may be able to copy everything which Remove-it suggests it’s going to delete before you actually delete it. That way, if anything does go wrong…

Then you can install from scratch using the instructions here.

Hope that seems like a good step forward to you, Jim. Any questions, before you actually start deleting files, please do come back here. And it’s vital you have at least one copy of all your music files.

If all goes well, you’ll be able to clean-install the latest Roon version, have it scan your library (which may take some time) and then start backing up again.

[jboyes99]

Thanks Mark;
I’ll try to do a manual backup and then do a new install of the Roon app. I won’t get to it until the weekend, at which time I’ll let you know how it goes.
BTW, my music files are all safe on the external storage device from Bluesound. I can play them from the Bluesound app.
If the Roon backup doesn’t work, I will lose all my ‘favourite’ tags, which is a drag. We’ll see what happens.
Cheers - Jim

[Mark_Sealey]

Jim,

@jboyes99

Thanks Mark;

You’ve very welcome. Am pinging @support here in case they can see anything beside-the-mark in my suggestions and/or have a better solution.

I’ll try to do a manual backup

Of your music files (on BlueSound)? Yes, that’s essential - and really vital going forward no matter what; especially if that’s the only location which contains your music data!

and then do a new install of the Roon app.

Good. I feel that will help. A new build was launched today (Tuesday, 20). Make sure you get that, won’t you.

I won’t get to it until the weekend, at which time I’ll let you know how it goes.

Understood; thanks; I’ll be here …

BTW, my music files are all safe on the external storage device from Bluesound. I can play them from the Bluesound app.

Good. A second copy is also advisable - but I’m sure you know that

If the Roon backup doesn’t work, I will lose all my ‘favourite’ tags, which is a drag.

It’d be if you had to build a new Roon Library as a result of having to rescan your BlueSound location which would necessitate losing your customizations.

Good luck!

[jboyes99]

Hi Mark;
One more question before I proceed; I see several Roon-related folders in the Mac “Library” in Finder.

• Roon
• RoonGoer
• RoonServer
  (I also see RoonMounts, but the purpose of that one is obvious)
  Are these the normal default folders that I should expect to see when I do a fresh install?
  Thx - Jim

[Mark_Sealey]

It depends to some extent on what else you might have installed. But, Yes

Strongly suggest copying these into a safe place - just in case.

And letting Remove-it do the hard work because it will be able to read which files Roon ‘thinks’ are part of its installation using ‘BOM’ files. IOW I’d caution against trying to delete what looks like a Roon file manually… there may be hidden and linked files; I don’t know. But you really want a clean install.

This thread might be helpful. Good luck, Jim!