[SQL Server] Error 3201 - Cannot open backup device - Operating system error 5(Access is denied.)

You likely encounter this error when attempting to back up your SQL Server database.

Msg 3201, Level 16, State 1, Line 12

Cannot open backup device 'C:\AdventureWorks2022_2.bak'. Operating system error 5(Access is denied.).

Msg 3013, Level 16, State 1, Line 12

BACKUP DATABASE is terminating abnormally.

Solution :

To resolve the issue, here are two suggestions:

• The first thing is to ensure that the SQL Server service account has the correct permissions (full control) on the folder where you want to save the backup to.

• The second, if you want to save the backup directly to the root directory (like C:, for example), you can't!

  • You need to create a subfolder beforehand to avoid the error

    • You won’t encounter this kind of problem during restoration—it’s possible to restore a backup located in the root directory.

If you create a folder named Backup under C: and then restart the backup: