When you take a backup Sage 50 Accounts, the following message can appear:

'The Backup has been unsuccessful. Backup job terminated unexpectedly.'

This message can indicate an issue with the Sage Accounts Data Service or an issue in Sage 50 Accounts.  

NOTE: If you see the different error 'The Backup has been unsuccessful. Check data job terminated unexpectedly.', follow the steps in our other guide.

Temporarily turn off concurrent backups

 CAUTION: Don't use these steps as a permanent solution as this stops scheduled and concurrent backups working.

1. Go to Settings, then Company Preferences and select Parameters.
2. Clear the Enable Check Data and Backup with users logged in checkbox.
3. Click OK.

 NOTE: If the 'Backup job terminated unexpectedly' error disappears with concurrent backups off, it indicates a permissions issue or a full temp folder. To keep concurrent backups on, contact your local IT support to check the temp folder size limitations and Windows permissions, or clear the temp folder.

Check you're using the latest version

Ensure you install the latest updates for the version of the software you're using. 

Install these updates on every computer with an installation of Sage 50 Accounts.

If your Sage Accounts data is on a server without an installation of the software, install the update there as well. Contact your local IT support for any help with this.

If the issue persists, follow the Restart the data service steps below.

Restart the data service

1. On the computer holding your Sage Accounts data, press the Windows key + R.
2. Enter services.msc and click OK.
3. In the list of services find the ones for your version:

   v30	Sage 50 Accounts Service v30 Sage 50 Accounts Control v30
   v29	Sage 50 Accounts Service v29 Sage 50 Accounts Control v29
   v28	Sage 50 Accounts Service v28 Sage 50 Accounts Control v28
   v27	Sage 50 Accounts Service v27 Sage 50 Accounts Control v27
   v26	Sage 50 Accounts Service v26 Sage 50 Accounts Control v26

4. If either service shows Disabled in the Startup Type column, right-click it then select Properties.
5. Set the Startup type to Automatic, then click OK.
6. For each service, right-click it, select Stop, right-click the service again, then select Start.