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Manage Backups not working

Managed backups are not running and shows: “Other kind of backup error”.

Thu, 31 Jan 2019 20:51:43
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Snapshot Pro
  • Nithin Ramdas
    • Support Wizard

    Hi Jason,

    I further tweaked the defines added via the wp-config.php file, and I’m afraid, the issue still exists. I excluded couple of files, and folders via Snapshot Settings, but it didn’t help much, nor the debug logs was helpful.

    On giving a closer look, I could notice that the memory_limit is 256M, when checked via a PHP Info page created in here:

    http://jasonkaufman.com/info.php

    I tried to increase the memory_limit by creating a php.ini file, and adding the following rules:

    upload_max_filesize = 128M
    
post_max_size = 256M
    
memory_limit = 512M
    
file_uploads = On

    But that didn’t help much, and also tried increasing the server resources via .htaccess files , but the memory_limit is still 256M.

    Seems like the server doesn’t allow overriding the values via php.ini, or .htaccess file. Could you please check with your hosting provider, and see whether they could increase the memory_limit in their side for your website?

    So, that it would help us in troubleshooting this further, and see what is causing this. Looking forward to hear what you hosting provider has to say, so that we could troubleshoot this extensively.

    Have a nice day ahead. :slight_smile:

    Regards,

    Nithin

  • Jason
    • Flash Drive

    Dreamhost replied:

    Hello,

    Thank you for contacting DreamHost support. You will need to create a

    custom php.ini file for the user (in the user directory) then adjust the

    file settings in that file. These changes can not be added to a site

    config file, the .htaccess or in the site directory, it must be in the

    user directory as it is a server configuration. For full instructions can

    here:

    Overview: https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fhelp.dreamhost.com%2Fhc%2Fen-us%2Farticles%2F214200688&data=02%7C01%7C%7C02b0368f6efc4b01fc1908d6882e1dbd%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636846128975159029&sdata=kl5i079%2FbXm4KXBuUXw7D3daUSz9WDUDB%2FA9e0ZpYhU%3D&reserved=0

    For creation via ftp:

    https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fhelp.dreamhost.com%2Fhc%2Fen-us%2Farticles%2F214894037&data=02%7C01%7C%7C02b0368f6efc4b01fc1908d6882e1dbd%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636846128975159029&sdata=pT3jjcXgusOmqrNztSkVaqhUEZ1vUIy5ojt09utVDMk%3D&reserved=0

    For creation via SSH:

    https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fhelp.dreamhost.com%2Fhc%2Fen-us%2Farticles%2F214200668&data=02%7C01%7C%7C02b0368f6efc4b01fc1908d6882e1dbd%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636846128975159029&sdata=aAjSECgdqwYs2%2FlZzqAGQB3RnqGlGmi%2FtGj%2B%2FLYPyFU%3D&reserved=0

    I did check on the file and see the memory limit was configured to 265

    only:

    root@wheels:disappointed:home/jaskau11/.php/7.0# ls -la

    total 8

    drwxr-xr-x 2 jaskau11 pg9109116 46 Jan 14 07:37 .

    drwxr-xr-x 10 jaskau11 pg9109116 122 Jan 15 06:34 ..

    -rw-r–r– 1 jaskau11 pg9109116 239 Jan 30 12:32 phprc

    root@wheels:disappointed:home/jaskau11/.php/7.0# cat phprc

    memory_limit = 256M

    upload_max_filesize = 400M

    post_max_size = 505M

    max_execution_time = 1500

    max_input_time = 1000

    ; {{{ The following lines were automatically added by DreamHost

    zend_extension=opcache.so

    ; }}} That’s all from DreamHost

    So the memory was not set any higher than the 256. They might have been

    looking at the incorrect location or php version. I have adjusted that to

    512 now and am running the update. You should see the new value live in

    about 20 minutes. If you have any other questions or issues please let me

    know. We are always happy to help.

  • Nithin Ramdas
    • Support Wizard

    Hi Jason,

    Hope you are doing good today. :slight_smile:

    I gave a closer look, and ran couple more test, but I’m afraid, the issue still remains the same. I’m bringing this into our Second Level Support(SLS) teams attention, so that this could be extensively tested, in order to see what exactly is causing this.

    Please do note that SLS works on complex issues, and has a slow response time, will keep you posted once I get further feedback regarding this asap.

    Regards,

    Nithin

  • Kostas
    • Deputy CTO

    Jason ,

    I’ve made some further adjustments into your wp-config.php for Snapshot by adding

    define( 'SNAPSHOT_IGNORE_SYMLINKS', true );
    
define( 'SNAPSHOT_FORCE_ZIP_LIBRARY', 'archive' );

    You’ll see a successful managed backup that has been uploaded to our servers. This was an once-off backup for me to test so please set up a recurring one as well to your liking.

    Inform us if you find any issues in the future so we can help out!

    Regards,

    Konstantinos

  • Jason
    • Flash Drive

    That’s encouraging. Thank you. I already had automatic backups scheduled, so I checked and reconfirmed that set up.

    Dreamhost is telling me that I am constantly hitting memory limits. I have a static site that gets a few thousand visits a week, so I have no idea why I should be hitting memory limits. It feels like they are just trying to sell me VPS hosting. Did you see anything in my site that could trigger the memory overloads?

    Here’s the message they sent me:

    I was doing a routine check on your server, and I noticed you’ve hit some memory limits on your shared hosting account again. Listed below are the domain(s)/FTP/shell users on your account, along with the number of times they’ve reached their memory limits:

    jaskau11: 362

    These limits keep the CPU/Memory load balanced for all users on your shared server, and therefore cannot be changed. However, it’s important that you take some steps to make sure your site doesn’t get stopped anymore. Here are two ways you can improve your site’s performance and avoid downtime:

    Optimize Your Website

    If you’re running a WordPress website, an unoptimized WordPress plugin can often be the culprit. Learn how to diagnose problems that slow down your site and how to fix them.

    Upgrade to VPS Hosting

    You may want to look into a Virtual Private Server, as you will be able to scale your memory limits and upgrade your RAM in seconds. DreamHost VPS Hosting is the next level in performance from your current shared plan. A DreamHost VPS has isolated CPU/RAM resources, so it’s much faster and more stable than shared hosting.

  • Nithin Ramdas
    • Support Wizard

    Hi Jason,

    Hope you are doing good today. :slight_smile:

    Was the hosting provider able to pin point any plugin, or query specifically causing this? If you are looking to troubleshoot this further, maybe you could ask for the server logs which should help in troubleshooting the issue if it’s something specific within WordPress, or plugins.

    You could also remove unwanted plugins if needed, ie I could notice there are two backup plugins like Updraft, and Snapshot. In general, backup plugins are resource intensive, so switching to either one of these plugins, and making use of Hosting providers backups as secondary would be much better.

    Since you already have Hummingbird, and Smush which should help with optimising the frontend of the site. And plugins like WP DB Manager should help with optimising database, these should help with setting up an optimised site. However, in general, if there are resource intensive plugins, there are chances the memory cap would reach it’s limit, however it’s tough to say what exact is causing this without checking error logs etc

    If you host isn’t any to pin point any issues, and it’s most specifically with having a low memory, then I’m afraid, as they have mentioned, VPS could be an option. You could also check our WPMU DEV Managed Host, if you do consider switching:

    https://wpmudev.com/hosting/

    I wasn’t able to notice any specific issue with CPU/memory load while troubleshooting the Snapshot issue. I’m also checking with Konstantinos to see whether he was able to notice anything specific, and will keep you posted, if noticed.

    You might find these articles helpful, if you are looking forward to optimize your site:

    https://onlinemediamasters.com/why-is-wordpress-so-slow/

    https://onlinemediamasters.com/slow-wordpress-admin-panel/

    I hope this helps. Have a nice day ahead. :slight_smile:

    Regards,

    Nithin

  • Jason
    • Flash Drive

    Nithin,

    The hosting provider throws it back to WPMU. I told them the site is small and with little activity. I said WPMU plugins run weekly backups (until recently they didn’t work and I’m not sure they still are), and occasional snapshots and performance reports (Hummingbird and SmartCrawl, though they have not always worked properly either). I installed Updraft when Snapshot wasn’t working, but haven’t used it recently. The fact that WPMU plugins have not always updated or performed as they should — my other tickets — might be causing some problem with memory. Your colleague — was it Adam? — recently turned off the plugins one by one and said there was not an issue. I told them if they cannot pinpoint what is causing my nearly dormant website to hit memory limits, they should send the server logs so I can send them to you. I really have to correct whatever is causing this, and I cannot imagine that I need a VPS for my nearly dormant site. I already pay too much for hosting and for WPMU. You and the other agents are ABSOLUTELY GREAT, but the software has been a constant drain on my time from the beginning.

    Jason

  • Jason
    • Flash Drive

    There are three managed backups, according to the Hub, but it says a Backup is in Progress, and it has been at 0% forever. I wonder if that’s one reason I am hitting memory limits with my host.

    Also, Snapshot now says I have no Snapshots. It looks like I just installed the program, when in fact I had run a bunch. Smush is still unable to update. I am at wits end here!

    Jason

  • Nithin Ramdas
    • Support Wizard

    Hi Jason,

    Sorry for the delay in getting back to you, I do understand you, and if the site isn't much that used in general, switching to VPS doesn't sound like a good option.

    If the host could only point the issue is is related to resources, only thing we could suggest is to disable, or delete plugins in your system, which you think is not required. I'm afraid, it's tough for us to state what exact plugin, or action is causing the issue without the server logs in general.

    There are three managed backups, according to the Hub, but it says a Backup is in Progress, and it has been at 0% forever. I wonder if that's one reason I am hitting memory limits with my host.

    I don't think that would be specifically causing this. You can however cancel that process in the WPMU DEV Hub, and check with the host whether it brings any difference, there isn't much that could be tested in WordPress site regarding this too.

    Also, Snapshot now says I have no Snapshots. It looks like I just installed the program, when in fact I had run a bunch. Smush is still unable to update. I am at wits end here!

    [attachments are only viewable by logged-in members]

    The backups do look intact, when I check the Managed Backups in the plugins side. Please do advise, if I'm missing anything.

    Regards,

    Nithin