M
186
Moderate
MongoDB · Database Server & Atlas
MongoDB server reported: Cannot Backup.
Quick Answer
Error code 186 on your MongoDB Database Server & Atlas means: MongoDB server reported: Cannot Backup.. This is usually fixable — see the step-by-step guide below.
Affected Models
Likely Causes
  1. MongoDB returned code 186 (CannotBackup) while processing this request path.
  2. A file-level or persistence-layer operation failed during execution.
  3. Repair/backup state or disk conditions blocked the requested change.
How to Fix It
1
Review logs/telemetry for code 186 (CannotBackup) and capture the exact command and parameters that triggered it.
2
Check disk health, free space, and filesystem-level errors on relevant nodes.
3
Validate backup/repair/index-build state before executing mutating operations.
4
Re-run after storage-layer alerts are clean and durability settings are confirmed.
5
Add monitoring for recurring CannotBackup events so future incidents are detected and triaged faster.
Pro Tip
This fix requires some technical knowledge. If you're unsure about any step, consider contacting support or a qualified technician.
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