iCloud Photos Failed to Archive Existing Files? 8 Quick Fixes

Content at a glance:

• iCloud Photos Failed to Archive Existing Files, Please Help!
• Why iCloud Photos Failed to Archive Existing Files?
• 8 Ways to Fix iCloud Photos failed to Archive Existing Files
• Backup Tip: Backup iCloud Photos to Another Cloud in Advance
• Write in the End

iCloud Photos Failed to Archive Existing Files, Please Help!

If you are stuck on the problem "iCloud Photos failed to archive existing files" just like the user above, it could be frustrating. Many users report that the error message occurred in Windows 11, or Windows 10 computer. Don’t worry, here you can find the best solution to fix it. And find another way to protect your iCloud Photos in advance.

Why iCloud Photos Failed to Archive Existing Files?

The error message "iCloud Photos Failed to Archive Existing Files" usually occurs when iCloud Photos is unable to back up or move existing photo files to a designated archive location. This can be due to different reasons:

After knowing the possible reasons for iCloud Photos failed to archive existing files, you can find the proven fixes in the following part. Try to resolve this problem.

8 Ways to Fix iCloud Photos Failed to Archive Existing Files

To fix this problem when using iCloud Photos on Windows 11, or Windows 10 computer, try the following solutions below one by one until you fix it.

Solution 1. Delete iCloud Photos Folder on your Computer

This way you might need to try first, because many users report it’s working. Here it is:

1. Please open the Windows File Explorer, then click the Pictures folder.

2. Right-click the iCloud Photos, and choose Delete to delete this folder.

3. Log in to your iCloud Photos app and then set up to sync iCloud Photos to your computer.

4. Then check if iCloud Photos failed to archive existing files is persist.

Solution 2: Check your iCloud Storage and Device Storage

If your iCloud storage space is full, iCloud Photos might stop working and can’t sync files anymore. So, check your iCloud Photos storage space, how much space in iCloud Drive, and other available space first. If the storage is almost full, free up space by deleting unnecessary files or upgrading your iCloud storage plan if needed. 

Solution 3. Enable iCloud Photos

Sometimes, the iCloud Photos glitches might cause the iCloud Photos archive problem. Try the following steps:

• Go to your device’s settings and ensure iCloud Photos has permission to access files and photos.
• On a Mac, for example, you can check under System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Files and Folders.

Solution 4: Check Your Internet Connection

Ensure you have a stable internet connection, and try reconnecting to Wi-Fi or restarting your router. Then try to use iCloud Photos to sync photos on your computer.

Solution 5. Deal with Problematic Files

Try identifying any problematic files by syncing smaller batches of photos at a time. Remove or back up the problematic files manually if necessary.

Solution 6. Update Windows and iCloud Photos

Make sure your Windows version and iCloud Photos version are up to date. Or some bugs might cause the "iCloud Photos failed to archive existing files and cannot start" problem. Updating may resolve bugs or compatibility issues.

Solution 7. Turn Off iCloud Photos and Enable Again

Try turning iCloud Photos off and on in your settings. This can refresh the connection and often resolves minor syncing issues.

Remember to back up your files before making changes to avoid any accidental data loss.

Solution 8. Contact Apple Support

If these steps don’t resolve the issue, consider contacting Apple Support, as there may be a deeper issue with your iCloud account or the iCloud Photos service.

Backup Tip: Backup iCloud Photos to Another Cloud in Advance

In case of data loss, it’s highly recommended to backup iCloud Photos before troubleshooting iCloud Photos failed to archive existing files problem. To backup iCloud Photos effectively, here comes the professional web-based multiple cloud storage manager - MultCloud to help you out.

Professional. MultCloud is designed to migrating files between clouds directly without taking up space on local disk.

Exclusive. It provides the exclusive features, like cloud to cloud backup, transfer, sync, or other to move files between clouds, just try and enjoy.

Secure. MultCloud offers 256-bit AES encryption, a standard OAuth authorization system to safeguard your files.

Flexible. It allows you to configure useful features, like filter, schedule, email, transfer methods, sync modes, and so on.

So, how to backup iCloud Photos with MultCloud, here we will going to show you how to sync iCloud Photos to Google Photos with simple clicks, just check it out:

1. Create a free MultCloud account and log in to MultCloud Dashboard.

2. Hit Add Cloud > iCloud Photos, then follow the guide to add. Then add Google Photos accordingly.

3. Select Cloud Sync, choose iCloud Photos as the source and a directory in Google Photos as the destination.

4. Press the Sync Now button to sync iCloud Photos to Google Photos directly.

• Smart Share: Share cloud files via public, private, or source mode.
• One-key Move: Quick data transfer, sync, and backup among clouds.
• Email Archive: Protect emails to other clouds or local disks.
• Remote upload: Effectively save web files to clouds via URL.
• Save Webpages as PDF/PNG: Keep them locally or online.
• Safe: Full-time 256-bit AES and OAuth authorization protections.
• Easy: Access and manage all clouds in one place with one login.
• Extensive: 30+ clouds and on-premise services are supported.

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Write in the End

Until now, you might have fixed iCloud Photos failed archive existing files issues. To protect your iCloud Photos files, MultCloud is a wise choice. Just protect iCloud Photos now. Besides, you can learn how to access iCloud Photos on PC, recover iCloud Photos even permanent deleted, etc.