Fixing the UGREEN NAS "Abnormal Service" Error for Sync & Backup (macOS & Windows)

So, you've invested in a UGREEN NAS, hoping for seamless file syncing and backups between your computer and your private cloud storage. But then, you hit a snag. You launch the UGREEN NAS client on your computer, only to be greeted by this frustrating message:

The error reads: "Abnormal service. Sync & Backup is abnormal. Unable to perform sync and backup tasks with the computer, please restart the app or retry after logging out."

You try the suggested fixes – clicking "Restart service," logging out and back in, maybe even restarting the app or your whole computer – but the error persists. It's a common issue, but finding a concrete solution online, especially for Mac users, can be tricky.

Fear not! There's a less obvious fix involving resetting a specific configuration file that often resolves this stubborn problem. This guide will walk you through the steps for both macOS and Windows.

The Usual Suspects (Try These First):

Before diving into deeper fixes, make sure you've tried the basics:

1. Restart Service: Click the "Restart service" button in the error message.

2. Log Out/In: Log out of the UGREEN NAS client and log back in.

3. Restart App: Completely quit the UGREEN NAS application and relaunch it.

4. Restart Computer: A full reboot can sometimes clear temporary glitches.

5. Restart NAS: Power cycle your UGREEN NAS device itself.

6. Check for Updates: Ensure both your NAS firmware and the desktop client are up-to-date.

   
   

If none of these work, the issue might lie in a corrupted configuration file for the sync service.

Finding the Clue (Thanks, Reddit!):

While digging for solutions online, I stumbled upon a discussion that put me on the right track, even though it wasn't Mac-specific. This Reddit thread discussed the "Abnormal service" error:

https://www.reddit.com/r/UgreenNASync/comments/1isvhse/abnormal_service_when_trying_to_sync_a_folder_on/

The accepted solution and discussion there primarily detailed steps for Windows users. However, it provided the crucial insight that the problem might stem from a corrupted configuration file for the sync service (often called syncSpace internally). This was the key to figuring out the equivalent fix needed for macOS environments.

The Configuration Reset Fix:

Based on that clue, the fix involves finding and deleting the specific configuration folder for the sync service. If this data becomes corrupted, the service can fail to start correctly. Deleting this configuration forces the application to recreate it with default settings, often resolving the "Abnormal service" error.

Important: While this procedure typically only affects the settings for the sync service and is generally safe, proceed with caution. You might need to set up your sync tasks again after this. If you're unsure, consider backing up the folder before deleting it.

Instructions for macOS:

1. Quit UGREEN NAS: Make sure the UGREEN NAS application is completely closed. Check the Activity Monitor (Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor) to ensure no related processes (like syncSpace or UGREEN) are running.

2. Open Finder.

3. Click the "Go" menu at the top of the screen.

4. Hold down the Option (⌥) key on your keyboard. You'll see "Library" appear in the dropdown menu – click it. (This folder is hidden by default).

5. Navigate to the following directory: ~/Library/Application Support/

6. Look for a folder named UGREEN_Nas_Pro (or a similar UGREEN-related name). Open it.

7. Inside that folder, navigate further into apps/syncSpace/.

8. You should see a folder named .config (note the dot at the beginning, meaning it might be hidden if you haven't enabled viewing hidden files, though accessing via the Library path usually shows it).

9. Delete the entire .config folder.

10. Restart the UGREEN NAS application on your Mac.

Instructions for Windows (Based on Reddit thread & common locations):

1. Quit UGREEN NAS: Ensure the UGREEN NAS client application is completely closed. You can check the Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) for related processes like syncspace_pro.exe or UGREEN. End the tasks if necessary.

2. Open File Explorer.

3. In the address bar, type %AppData% and press Enter. This will take you directly to the hidden AppData\Roaming folder for your user profile. (Alternatively, enable "Show hidden items" in the View tab and navigate to C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Roaming).

4. Look for a folder named UGREEN_Nas_Pro (or similar) and open it.

5. Navigate further into apps\syncSpace\.

6. You should see a folder named .config.

7. Delete the entire .config folder.

8. Restart the UGREEN NAS application on your PC.

Conclusion:

After deleting the .config folder and restarting the client, the UGREEN NAS application should regenerate the necessary configuration files, hopefully clearing the "Abnormal service" error and allowing your Sync & Backup tasks to function correctly again.

This simple configuration reset, hinted at by the community on Reddit and adapted here for both macOS and Windows, seems to be an effective solution for this specific error, yet it's not widely documented in official channels. Hopefully, this guide saves you some troubleshooting headaches!

Did this fix work for you? Do you have other solutions? Share your experiences in the comments below!

If problems persist, remember to use the log generation tools within the UGREEN app ('Support -> Contact Us -> Assistive Tools -> One-Click Generate') and contact UGREEN official support via web.ugnas.com.