# Unable to Snapshot Instance: "Image /disk is unacceptable: Unable to convert image to qcow2"

## Problem

* Unable to snapshot an instance (in any power state).
* The following logs are present in `/var/log/pf9/ostackhost.log` file on the hypervisor.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Bash" %}

```bash
2023-09-23 17:59:11.504 TRACE oslo_messaging.rpc.server nova.exception.ImageUnacceptable: Image /opt/pf9/data/instances/84277b18-00d2-44f9-bc9d-744786857d36/disk is unacceptable: Unable to convert image to qcow2: Unexpected error while running command.
2023-09-23 17:59:11.504 TRACE oslo_messaging.rpc.server Command: qemu-img convert -t none -O qcow2 -f qcow2 /opt/pf9/data/instances/84277b18-00d2-44f9-bc9d-744786857d36/disk /opt/pf9/data/instances//snapshots/tmp15vuki7h/c15b44c0dc1749f5ac739322076aafde
2023-09-23 17:59:11.504 TRACE oslo_messaging.rpc.server Stderr: "qemu-img: Could not open '/opt/pf9/data/instances/84277b18-00d2-44f9-bc9d-744786857d36/disk': Could not open backing file: Could not open '/opt/pf9/data/instances/_base/f3eb8b1b8773b5bb41db6349d2170e270eb38fb5': No such file or directory<br>"
```

{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

## Environment

* Platform9 Managed OpenStack - All Versions
* Nova
* Glance

## Cause

The backing file for the instance is missing, which can occur if an instance becomes un-defined in Libvirt – for example, due to a partially failed migration. The root cause for the backing file missing may be different under certain circumstances.

## Resolution

### Option A: Copy the Backing File from Another Hypervisor

1. From a working, functional hypervisor – if an instance is scheduled with the same image as the one which is failing to snapshot, it may have a copy of the same data which you can use to copy. Check for any matching folders/files in `/opt/pf9/data/instances/_base/` .
2. Copy the directory/files to the same path on the non-functional hypervisor.
3. Attempt to re-build the instance.

### Option B: Migrate the Instance

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Warning**

**Note:** this requires the image to still be present in Glance. Check that the image still exists.
{% endhint %}

1. Migrate the instance. The image should be re-downloaded from Glance to the hypervisor.
2. Snapshot the instance.


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://platform9.com/kb/pmo/solution/unable-to-snapshot-instance-image-path-disk-is-unacceptable.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.