Is your backup failing with the rsync input/output error(5)?

Unfortunately, it is a common error while executing rsync commands. This error mainly occurs due to disk defects, insufficient permissions and so on.

At Bobcares, we often receive requests to fix the rsync input/output error(5) as part of Server Management Services.

So today, let’s get deep into this error and see how our Support Engineers fix it for our customers.

What is the rsync input/output error(5)?

As we all know, rsync is popular for its faster file copying capability. It is preferred mainly due to the large variety of options it provides while copying data.

Recently, one of our customers approached us with a rsync error. He was running a daily backup scrit with rsync.

But, a few days back, during backup, one of his files throwed the error.

rsync: read errors mapping "/home/folder/file.ext": Input/output error (5)

In general, this error indicated the impossibility of rsync to read or write a file.

This error occurs due to many reasons. Let’s discuss some top reasons that cause this error and see their respective fixes too.

Causes and fix Rsync input/output error

Finding the ultimate reason that causes the rsync input/output error(5) can be a bit tricky. From our expertise in managing servers, our Dedicated Engineers see that it occurs mainly due to disk defects, insufficient privileges, etc. Let’s take a detailed look on each of them.

1. Disk defects

In general, disk defects in the source or target directory can cause this rsync error.

To check whether these disk defects cause the error, we try to copy the files manually. If the files copies successfully, then we can make sure that the source of error is disk defects in the source directory.

We repeat this operation at a later time. This time we will write into a different section of the disk and this will resolve the error.

Also, if we have a bad sector in our SRC directory, we exclude it using the command.

rsync -av --exclude='/home/my_name/directory_with_corrupt_files/*'

Here, the rsync process skips the copying of the files specified in this directory.

2. Insufficient privileges

Similarly, the wrong privileges on the files or folders can also cause this error. In such cases, our Support Engineers always recommend using the root account on both SRC and TGT machines.

In case if we don’t have the root access, we check whether the rsync files are accessible for us. If not, then we modify the permissions and ownership of the files. This gives adequate peivileges to the user performing the rsync operation.

3. File lock by anti-virus programs

The input/output error in rsync can also occur due to file lock by anti-virus programs.

An anti-virus locks files for some time. Thus, Rsync may not be able to access the file. This can also cause the input/output error.

Retrying the same command after sometime resolves the error in most cases. Or, we may have to disable anti-virus program temporarily or even skip directories in use by antivirus.

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Conclusion

In short, the rsync input/output error(5) occurs mainly due to disk defects, insufficient privileges and so on. Today’s write-up discussed this error in detail and we also saw how our Support Engineers fix it for our customers.