The shadow copy provider had an unexpected error (0x8004230F)

Before making any changes to our PC, many of us first create a system restore point. This practice ensures that the system files and settings return to an earlier point in time without affecting personal files, should something go wrong. But sometimes things don't go as planned, and you might experience an error with the following message displayed as additional information - The shadow copy provider had an unexpected error while trying to process the specified operation (ox8004230F). This message can also appear when creating a Backup or  System Image.

Windows Backup failed to create the shared protection point on the source volumes. The shadow copy provider had an unexpected error while trying to process the specified operation (0x8004230F)

Windows Backup failed to create the shared protection point on the source volumes

The problem mainly occurs or is seen when the required services are not running or not responding properly. To fix it,

1. Run VSSADMIN tool
2. Check Volume Shadow Copy Service status
3. Check Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider Service status
4. Perform the operation in Clean Boot State.

The shadow copy provider had an unexpected error while trying to process the specified operation (0x8004230F)

1] Run VSSADMIN tool

The shadow copy provider is sensitive and some other disk cloning, backup, etc., software can make it stop working

Run the following command in a CMD to check if you have any 3rd-party VSS providers:

vssadmin list providers

If any are found, you might have to disable them.

If none are found, proceed.

2] Check Volume Shadow Copy Service status

Press Win+R in combination to bring up the 'Run' dialog box. Type 'services.msc' in the empty field of the box and hit the Enter key.

Then, scroll down to find 'Volume Shadow Copy' entry.

When found, double-click the entry.

After that, the Volume Shadow Copy property box that pops up, set the Startup type to 'Automatic (Delayed Start)' and click the Start button below it. The default value is Manual - but we are setting it to Automatic (Delayed Start).

When done, press 'OK'.

3] Check Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider Service status

Similarly, configure the Startup type for 'Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider' to Automatic (Delayed Start) and Start the service. Again, the default value is Manual - but we are setting it to Automatic (Delayed Start).

Finally, close Services and try.

4] Perform the operation in Clean Boot State

Maybe some 3rd-party process is interfering. Perform a Clean Boot and then try to run the operation you want.

Hope something helps.