Do these 3 things before closing this tab:

1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more

Have you configured automatic backup on Discourse, forum but it is not running? Before you start looking at any other thing, try this simple fix.

Solution 1: Review Your Discourse Forum Backup Configuration

If the automatic backup is not running on Discourse forum, the first place to look is the backup configuration.

# Preview Product Price
1 Seagate 2TB Portable Hard Drive | USB 3.0 (STGX2000400) | Everyday HDD storage. Plug-and-play backup. Windows & macOS. Adobe CC trial included. 1-Year Warranty Seagate 2TB Portable Hard Drive | USB 3.0 (STGX2000400) | Everyday HDD storage. Plug-and-play... $129.99 Buy on Amazon
2 Seagate Portable 5TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PS4, & Xbox - 1-Year Rescue Service (STGX5000400), Black Seagate Portable 5TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PS4, & Xbox - 1-Year Rescue... $218.99 Buy on Amazon
3 Seagate Portable 1TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PlayStation, & Xbox, 1-Year Rescue Service (STGX1000400) , Black Seagate Portable 1TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PlayStation, & Xbox, 1-Year... $119.80 Buy on Amazon
4 Seagate Portable 4TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0, 1-Year Rescue | Everyday HDD storage. Plug-and-play backup. Windows & macOS. Adobe CC trial included. 1-Year Warranty Seagate Portable 4TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0, 1-Year Rescue | Everyday HDD storage.... $189.99 Buy on Amazon
  1. Open the Discourse Backup settings: click the menu icon -> Settings. Then, search backup.
Discourse Automatic Backup Not Running? Try This Fix - Review Your Discourse Backup Configuration
  1. Confirm that your discourse backup has been configured, as shown in the screenshot below. Below this screenshot, I have explained each section of the backup settings.
Discourse Automatic Backup Not Running? Try This Fix - Review Your Discourse Backup Configuration

1) You must check the “enable backups” checkbox. If you uncheck it, you cannot run manual backups, let alone automatic backups.
2) You must check the “automatic backups enabled” checkbox. This is what enables automatic backups to run according to the frequency you define in 3) below
3) You must include a whole number (minimum 1). This is the number of days between backup jobs.

If you set 1, Discourse automatic backups will run daily.

4) Finally, you must specify the time (in UTC) that the automatic backups run. Set the time in 24-hour format.

For example, if you want the backups to run at 11 pm daily, use 23:00.

Worth Installing

PC Slower Than It Used to Be?

Outbyte PC Repair · freeA free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Run a Free PC Scan →
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Solution 2: Run Your First Backup Manually, then Re-schedule the Discourse Automatic Backup

If you look at the Discourse forum backup configuration, there is no place to specify when you want the first automatic backup to run.

Popular on Amazon
Seagate 2TB Portable Hard Drive | USB 3.0 (STGX2000400) | Everyday HDD storage. Plug-and-play backup. Windows & macOS. Adobe CC trial included. 1-Year Warranty
Seagate 2TB Portable Hard Drive | USB 3.0 (STGX2000400) | Everyday HDD storage. Plug-and-play backup. Windows & macOS. Adobe CC trial included. 1-Year Warranty
  • Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
  • Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
  • To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
  • This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
  • The available storage capacity may vary.
$129.99
Buy on Amazon
Discourse Automatic Backup Not Running? Try This Fix - Run Your First Backup Manually

So, the assumption is that after you set this up, the first automatic backup will run the next time it is due. For example, I set the automatic backup time to 9:30 am in the screenshot above.

So, naturally, I should expect my first backup to run the next 9:30. Well, this was not my experience.

Here is the walkaround I devices.

  1. Take a manual backup. To do this, first, open the Backup page.
  1. Then, when the Backup page opens, click the Backup button to take a manual backup. Discourse will pop up a message asking you to confirm that you want to start a backup. Click Yes.
Wait for the backup to complete. Then, proceed to step 3 below.
Discourse Automatic Backup Not Running? Try This Fix - Run Your First Backup Manually
  1. When the backup is completed, check the log file. Then, note the time the manual backup was completed – mine finished at 12:54:18.
  1. Now click Settings and search backup. Then, reconfigure the time for Discourse automatic backup to run.

    I scheduled the first Discourse automatic backup job to run just 24 hours from the manual backup. Since the Discourse completed my manual backup job at 12:54:18, I will schedule the first automatic backup to run by 13:00.

    However, I strongly recommend that you wait until the current time is past the time you want to schedule. Remember to click the save button (2) after changing the time.
Based on my schedule above, my backup ran successfully after about 24 hours (by 13:03).

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where are Discourse backups stored?

You can configure Discourse to store backups on the Discourse server’s local storage or S3 (cloud) storage.

DriversCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?PerformanceWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Also popular on Amazon
Seagate Portable 5TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PS4, & Xbox - 1-Year Rescue Service (STGX5000400), Black
Seagate Portable 5TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PS4, & Xbox - 1-Year Rescue Service (STGX5000400), Black
  • Easily store and access 5TB of content on the go with the Seagate portable drive, a USB external hard Drive
  • Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
  • To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition software required
  • This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
  • The available storage capacity may vary.
$218.99
Buy on Amazon
2. How do I set up automated backups on Discourse?

Sign in to Discourse as administrator. Then, on the top right, click the Discourse forum menu and select Settings.

When the Settings page opens, type backup in the search box. Then, check the box beside “Run automatic backups as defined in backup frequency”.

Beneath this checkbox, enter the “backup frequency” in number format – the minimum value is 1 for a daily backup

3. How does Discourse automatic backup work?

When you configure automatic backup on Discourse, the forum software uses sidekiq to schedule the backup jobs.

So, when it is time for the next backup job to run, sidekiq triggers the backup job. Then, Discourse completes the backup and save the backup either on the local server’s storage or on S3 cloud storage – depending on your configuration.

4. How do I backup Discourse database only?

To make Discourse backup the Database only without backing up uploads, uncheck “Include uploads in scheduled backups. Disabling this will only backup the database“. This checkbox is beneath “backup time of day” on the Discourse Backup Settings page.

Also popular on Amazon
Seagate Portable 1TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PlayStation, & Xbox, 1-Year Rescue Service (STGX1000400) , Black
Seagate Portable 1TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PlayStation, & Xbox, 1-Year Rescue Service (STGX1000400) , Black
  • Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
  • Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
  • To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
  • This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
  • The available storage capacity may vary.
$119.80
Buy on Amazon
5. Why is Discourse forum auto backup important?

Just like any other automatic backup, Discourse Forum auto backup ensures that your backups run without you having to run it manually. This takes away the risk of forgetting to run the backup.

Moreover, Discourse forum auto backup has the option to automatically delete old backups. This ensures that you do not run our of backup storage space.

Recommended: PC Feels Slow? A Free Scan Shows What's Dragging Windows Down →Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Recommended: Crashes or Glitches? A Free Driver Scan Usually Finds the Culprit →Free scan · under a minuteRecommended: Fix Windows Errors and Clear Junk Files in Minutes - Free Scan →Free scan · no reinstall
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Conclusion

I wrote this guide when I was trying to make my Discourse forum automatic backup that was not running.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, my Discourse forum automatic backup is now running as expected.

Also popular on Amazon
Seagate Portable 4TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0, 1-Year Rescue | Everyday HDD storage. Plug-and-play backup. Windows & macOS. Adobe CC trial included. 1-Year Warranty
Seagate Portable 4TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0, 1-Year Rescue | Everyday HDD storage. Plug-and-play backup. Windows & macOS. Adobe CC trial included. 1-Year Warranty
  • Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
  • Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
  • To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
  • This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
  • The available storage capacity may vary.
$189.99
Buy on Amazon

I hope that you were able to use the steps in this guide to get your Discourse forum automatic backup working! If you did, click on “Yes” beside the “Was this page helpful” question below.

You may also express your thoughts and opinions by using the “Leave a Comment” form at the bottom of this page.

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Stop driver crashes →Fix Windows issues →
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Finally, you may find other articles in our WordPress & Websites How-Tos page helpful.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Seagate 2TB Portable Hard Drive | USB 3.0 (STGX2000400) | Everyday HDD storage. Plug-and-play backup. Windows & macOS. Adobe CC trial included. 1-Year Warranty
Seagate 2TB Portable Hard Drive | USB 3.0 (STGX2000400) | Everyday HDD storage. Plug-and-play backup. Windows & macOS. Adobe CC trial included. 1-Year Warranty
This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable; The available storage capacity may vary.
$129.99
Bestseller No. 2
Seagate Portable 5TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PS4, & Xbox - 1-Year Rescue Service (STGX5000400), Black
Seagate Portable 5TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PS4, & Xbox - 1-Year Rescue Service (STGX5000400), Black
This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable; The available storage capacity may vary.
$218.99
Bestseller No. 3
Seagate Portable 1TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PlayStation, & Xbox, 1-Year Rescue Service (STGX1000400) , Black
Seagate Portable 1TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PlayStation, & Xbox, 1-Year Rescue Service (STGX1000400) , Black
This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable; The available storage capacity may vary.
$119.80
Bestseller No. 4
Seagate Portable 4TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0, 1-Year Rescue | Everyday HDD storage. Plug-and-play backup. Windows & macOS. Adobe CC trial included. 1-Year Warranty
Seagate Portable 4TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0, 1-Year Rescue | Everyday HDD storage. Plug-and-play backup. Windows & macOS. Adobe CC trial included. 1-Year Warranty
This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable; The available storage capacity may vary.
$189.99

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.