Error “TF400998: The current user failed to retrieve the SQL Server service account information” when trying to configure backup plan in TFS 2015

Question

This is a "Answer Your question" type of the post. Just hope the information here will help anyone.

Situation:

• Migrated TFS from Machine A to Machine B
• Restored the DB
• Reconfigured DBs using TfcConfigure RemapDB
• Changed service account, url, binding and etc.
• domainname\TFSService = service account to run TFS

Problem:

• Logged on as the domainname\TFSService
• Tried to setup "Scheduled backups for TFS" using a domain account used as a service account for running TFS (HOWTO)
• Back up should be stored on a remote server (accessible over UNC)
• ERROR = Error “TF400998: The current user failed to retrieve the SQL Server service account information” when trying to configure backup plan in TFS 2015

Question:

• How to setup the Scheduled Backup using TFSService account?

Answer 1

In TFS2015 simply make sure that:

1. Make sure MachineA and MachineB are in the domain and a user "yourDomain\username" is added Application Tier >> Administration Console Users

2. Take Full Backup Now throw Scheduled Backups and move the backup to MachineB network share, as a restore process might fail throw network.

3. Open TFS Admin console on MachineB and Remove Application Tier feature if exists.

4. Use SQL Managment Studio to remove Tfs_configuration and other Tfs_* databases on MachineB

5. In TFS Admin Console of MachineB, you will have only option to restore under Scheduled Backup.

6. After restoring process on MachineBLaunch the Application-Tier Onlywizard (right click on Application Tier in TFS Admin Console).In Databases, specify the new SQL Server instance(MachineB/sqlexpress`) where you restored the TFS databases

Answer 2

Solution:

• Give domainname\TFSService account local Administrator permissions on Your TFS Server
• Give domainname\TFSService account the sysadmin role in Your SQL Instance used to run TFS
• Five domainname\TFSService account Log on as a service permissions on the TFS Server (HOWTO)
• (IMPORTANT!!!) Run SQL Server Service hosting TFS DBs AS domainname\TFSService (HOWTO)
• (IMPORTANT!!!) Give 'Full permissions' for the account used to run the SQL Service on the UNC destination folder.
• Example: If SQL Server Account = domainname\TFSService, than permissions on the UNC should also be given to domainname\TFSService

Rerun the TFS "Scheduled Backup" configuration. Should resolve the error.

Sorry if this obvious or straight forward and considered as spam/flooding. Just spent over 3-4 hours. Hopefully this helps people save time and nerves.