Overview
The CrashPlan console displays the message “contacting backup server” if your archive is in maintenance or if port 4285 is blocked. Use the steps below to diagnose the cause of the message and resolve the issue.
Affects
Restores from the CrashPlan console
Before you begin
- To allow restores from the CrashPlan console, ensure that port 4285 is open.
- View our connectivity documentation on IP addresses and ports used by CrashPlan to see which ports must be open for use and which IP addresses must be allowed through your firewall.
- Check that your backup is not currently undergoing archive maintenance.
Diagnose
To determine whether or not you have a port conflict that is preventing restores from the CrashPlan console, you must test connectivity with the destination. To troubleshoot a connection, you need to know the storage server address you are attempting to connect to. If you do not know the addresses and ports for your CrashPlan app, contact your CrashPlan administrator or contact our technical support team.
You can check in the
Destinations section of the app.log at /Library/Logs/CrashPlan or C:\ProgramData\CrashPlan\log and find private=[server.address] for the server address.When troubleshooting your network connection, it is important to test all of the addresses and ports used by your CrashPlan app to connect to the storage server.
Go to Test your network connection and follow the steps to test your connection to port 4285 with one of the tools listed. If you can connect, see Connected to port. If you are unable to connect, see Cannot connect to port.
Connected to port
If you can connect to port 4285, your backup is likely undergoing archive maintenance. During the process of archive maintenance, access to the archive is restricted and restores from the CrashPlan console are disabled. Once maintenance is complete, restores from the CrashPlan console are re-enabled.
If you have access to the CrashPlan app, the status for archive maintenance is visible when you open the app.
Cannot connect to port
Solution
If there is a port conflict on port 4285, download the CrashPlan app to restore your files. The CrashPlan app can be used to perform restores on any computer.
If you are using a shared computer, uninstall the CrashPlan app after completing the restore.
Alternative solutions
If you are unable to connect to port 4285 using the Telnet test, a router or firewall may be blocking the port, or another application is using it. You can resolve this issue by adjusting the software firewall, enabling port forwarding, or moving to a new Internet connection:
-
Software firewall: Create a firewall rule to allow outbound connection on TCP port 4285.
Consult the software manufacturer for detailed instructions on how to create firewall rules. -
Antivirus: Some firewall and antivirus applications are capable of blocking connections on a per-application basis.
Make sure the CrashPlan app has an exception configured in your security software. -
Port forwarding: If creating a firewall rule didn't resolve the issue, you may need to enable port forwarding for port 4285 on your router.
Consult the manufacturer of your router or instructions from Port Forward. - New Internet connection: If possible, move to a different Internet connection to perform your restore.
External resources
- Port Forward: How to Enable Port Forwarding
- Telnet
- Netcat
- PowerShell