# 'cannot create symbolic link' error when backing up the Plex Media Server folder **URL:** \ **Category:** Plex Media Server\ **Tags:** server-linux\ **Created:** [November 25, 2022, 9:41pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cannot-create-symbolic-link-error-when-backing-up-the-plex-media-server-folder/820017 "2022-11-25T21:41:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tugb4](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/tugb4/32/293142_2.png) [@tugb4](https://forums.plex.tv/u/tugb4)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2022, 9:41pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cannot-create-symbolic-link-error-when-backing-up-the-plex-media-server-folder/820017/1 "2022-11-25T21:41:59Z")
when I am backing up the Plex Media Server folder under `/var/lib/plexmediaserver/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server`, I am getting the errors similar to the following one (with different paths) on some files under `./Plex Media Server/Metadata` folder. > cp: cannot create symbolic link ‘./Plex Media Server/Metadata/TV Shows/a/d3d4266c0f4dbb7801056a11f73a093e4cef98c.bundle/Contents/\_combined/seasons/4/posters/com.plexapp.agents.thetvdb\_5c63a7f8fe5950c250f9a0c73b5ea020ee364add’: Function not implemented Is this a big problem for the backup? ---
**Author:** ![ChuckPa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/chuckpa/32/79710_2.png) [@ChuckPa](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ChuckPa)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2022, 9:57pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cannot-create-symbolic-link-error-when-backing-up-the-plex-media-server-folder/820017/2 "2022-11-25T21:57:29Z")
Why are you using `cp` ??? You don’t `cp` symlinks. what are you trying to do ? ---
**Author:** ![tugb4](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/tugb4/32/293142_2.png) [@tugb4](https://forums.plex.tv/u/tugb4)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2022, 10:06pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cannot-create-symbolic-link-error-when-backing-up-the-plex-media-server-folder/820017/3 "2022-11-25T22:06:52Z")
I am not necessarily after copying symlinks. I am trying to backup the server data (as per the message on my question) based on the instructions here: [https://support.plex.tv/articles/201539237-backing-up-plex-media-server-data/](https://support.plex.tv/articles/201539237-backing-up-plex-media-server-data/) ---
**Author:** ![OttoKerner](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/ottokerner/32/10079_2.png) [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2022, 10:12pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cannot-create-symbolic-link-error-when-backing-up-the-plex-media-server-folder/820017/4 "2022-11-25T22:12:32Z")
> **Tip!** : In many cases, you may find it beneficial to “zip” or “tar” (or similar) the contents of the data directory. The larger your library, the more useful this may be for you as it could otherwise take a very long time to process thousands of individual small metadata files. This is Linux, so .tar is kinda the default. See [Back up/ Restore /clone your PMS metadata](https://forums.plex.tv/t/back-up-restore-clone-your-pms-metadata/212202/1) ---
**Author:** ![ChuckPa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/chuckpa/32/79710_2.png) [@ChuckPa](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ChuckPa)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2022, 10:13pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cannot-create-symbolic-link-error-when-backing-up-the-plex-media-server-folder/820017/5 "2022-11-25T22:13:15Z")
If I may suggest ? 1. Stop PMS (obviously) 2. As root – > [@Linux Tips](https://forums.plex.tv/t/linux-tips/276247/7): > > Backup, Restore, or Clone your PMS installation Backing up your PMS data involves the same steps you’ll need if you were to clone your PMS and take to a new computer, reinstall the operating system, or just want a backup for safe keeping. Making the Backup (General Steps) Stop PMS Invoke the root shell Create the backup image Copy the image to the new system, perform your OS reinstallation, or whatever task you need Restoring a backup image (General Steps) (Re)install PMS itself if on a ne… This tip shows you how to create then use the tar ball later for restore or cloning to new hardware ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2023, 10:13pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cannot-create-symbolic-link-error-when-backing-up-the-plex-media-server-folder/820017/6 "2023-02-23T22:13:54Z")
This topic was automatically closed 90 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.