Cobian Backup Cannot Access Network Drive? Try Easier Option!

User case

Cobian Backup is an excellent tool for backing up your important files and folders. It is a free and open-source backup software that can be used to create backup copies of your files and folders in various locations, including network drives.

However, sometimes you may encounter error messages when using it, stating that the engine is not found, Cobian Backup cannot access a network drive, etc. This can be frustrating, especially if you have important files stored on the network drive.

In this article, I will discuss the possible causes of Cobian couldn’t create the destination directory error and provide you with quick and easy solutions to it. As well as introduce an easier option to backup files and folders to network drive.

What Causes Cobian Backup unable to access network drive?

There are several reasons why you may encounter the error message "Cobian Backup cannot access network drive." Here are some of the common causes:

✄ Network connectivity issues: If there is a problem with your network connection, Cobian Backup may not be able to access the network drive. This could be due to a faulty network cable, router, or modem.

✄ Incorrect network settings: If the network settings on your computer are not configured correctly, Cobian Backup may not be able to access the network drive. This could be due to an incorrect IP address, subnet mask, or default gateway.

✄ Firewall settings: If the firewall on your computer is blocking Cobian Backup from accessing the network drive, you may encounter this error message.

✄ Permission issues: If you do not have permission to access the network drive, Cobian Backup may not be able to access it. This could be due to a permission issue on the network drive or on your computer.

Best Cobian backup alternative to backup files to network drive

As you can see, although Cobian Backup can do so many things for files backup, it doesn’t work always fine. Therefore, you may want to find a free and reliable Cobian Backup alternative that has equivalent, flexible and various backup features. AOMEI Backupper Standard is such free network backup software for Windows 11, 10, 8.1/8, 7, Vista, XP to backup local files to a network drive.

❂ With its File Backup feature, you can backup files and folders automatically with a schedule task to local disks, external hard drives, and removable USB flash drives, NAS or other network drive.
❂ Meanwhile, the Basic Sync feature of this software can also achieve the goal for you. You can choose according to your needs. And this article is demonstrated below with the File Backup method.

Now, download AOMEI Backupper to learn how to backup files to your network drive and follow the graphic tutorial below. 

(Note: This version only supports Windows 11/10/8/7/XP/Vista. For Server users, try AOMEI Backupper Server.)

Step 1. Here I will take File Backup as an example to backup files to network drive. Open this free backup software, click Backup and then File Backup.

Step 2. Click Add Folder or Add File to specify the data you want to backup. You can add multiple items as you like.

Step 3. Click on the small down arrow beside the destination select box, choose Select a network location. 

Tip: If you have mapped the network drive on your computer, it will work like a local drive and you can select it by clicking Select a local path.

In the popping up window, click Add Share or NAS Devices at the left bottom corner, and enter the path of your network drive. The added path can be used directly the next time.

Step 4. Then, click Start Backup to execute backup files to network drive.

✍ Considering continuous data protection, you still need to set Options, Schedule Backup and Backup Scheme optionally.

• Options: You can write a comment, set the compression level, enable email notification, etc. for your backup tasks. If you upgrade to Pro version, you can enable passwords for a backup task.
• Schedule Backup: You can run the backup task daily, weekly, monthly, event triggers, USB plug in at a specific time, date, or intervals. 
• Backup Scheme: You can change the backup method from incremental backup to differential backup and enable automatic backup cleanup methods (in higher editions). Thus you can manage storage space and ensure there are always space for new backups. 

Final words

If you encounter Cobian Backup cannot access network drive, you can refer to this article to learn some possible reasons for this issue and fix it. Also, you can try the best Cobian Backup alternative to backup files to network drive, which is the best free backup software – AOMEI Backupper.

This backup solution has embedded with many other practical functions more than backup. For example, you can use its Universal Restore feature to solve Acronis Universal Restore cannot find operating system issue. Other features such as sync, clone, restore, are waiting for you to explore!