My nightly backup job shows as Failed in SQL Server Agent but the message in the list is cut off. Where can I see the full error?
A SQL Server Agent job failed. How do I find out why?
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Irene Reyes October 18, 2026
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The full text is in the job history.
1. In SSMS expand SQL Server Agent > Jobs, right click the job and choose View History.
2. Tick Show step details, select the failed row and read the Message pane at the bottom. The cut off message in the top list is often an overview, and the step line holds the real error.
3. Check the step that failed. A step can also log to a file when you set an output file under the step's Advanced page.
4. Look at the SQL Server error log and the Windows Application log around the same time.
Common reasons for backup jobs: the service account has no rights on the backup folder, the disk is full, or a database was offline. Run the step manually in a query window to see the same error.
The step history showed the backup folder was full. Cleared old files. Thanks.