Backup error troubleshooting for Laura Hartley

Laura Hartley Homepage

Small Business | Support, Improve | 2024, 15 days | Website Link

Project Overview: 

I solved a website backup error that prevented site migration for Laura Hartley by reducing the database size by 98%; from 337GB to 6GB. Laura Hartley, founder of Public Love Enterprises, coaches changemakers and activists who are navigating through the challenges of capitalism.

Table of Content:

Introduction:

Laura needed help tackling a timeout error happening whenever she tried to back up her website using Duplicator. This error failed the site backup process and therefore blocked her from migrating the site from Bluehost to Hostinger.

Website status before the troubleshooting:

  • On Bluehost, the site’s disk usage was 336.75 GB. 
  • The “_archive.daf” backup file contained backup failing errors.

Assumption:

The website was too large to run a successful backup and took too long. Therefore, the browser gave out a timeout error.

Troubleshoot plan:

  1. Find out what caused the site to be so large. 
  2. Decide whether to keep or clean up those files. 
  3. Test out if the site can be backed up after the cleanup.

1st Finding & troubleshooting:

  • Finding: 169 core dump files, possibly generated by PHP code or a tool running PHP on the server crashed after attempting to execute something. These files cluttered the database.
  • Troubleshooting: I deleted most of the core dumps and kept only three recent files for reference.
  • Result: The disk usage was reduced by only 8.78 GB, or around 2.6%.

2nd Finding & troubleshooting:

  • Finding: Two unidentifiable files in the home directory with a combined size of 74.77 GB, a 50 GB backup “.tar” file in public_html, and multiple backups by Duplicator Pro in its folder with a combined size of 184.88 GB.
  • Troubleshooting: I backed up those files and removed them from the database.
  • Result: The disk usage was reduced from 327.97 GB to 5.73 GB. When backing up the site to test, it was successful.

Final result after all troubleshooting:

  • The site’s disk usage was reduced to 5.73 GB from 336.75 GB (around 98%).
  • The backup process was successful. When inspecting the backup file, it had no errors. Laura was able to migrate the site to Hostinger successfully.

Testimonial:

“Gift is one of the best web support experts I have worked with. I hired Gift to help fix a back-up error I was receiving, that was preventing me from changing web hosts. I’d long managed my own WordPress page, but needed some extra help with these issues and couldn’t be happier with the outcome. Gift was prompt, respectful and explained everything throughout the process. I’d spent weeks going around in circles, and she found the solutions quickly and easily, as well as giving me good advice for my site going forward. I’m incredibly grateful to have found Gift and highly recommend her to anyone looking for support or guidance. I’ll undoubtedly use her support again!”

Laura Hartley – Leadership Coach, Public Love Enterprises