SQL VSS Writer not in list

Hello,

running vssadmin list writers does not show the SQL Server Writer.

SYSTEM is sysadmin (even put in local admin group to test).  under services, the service is running.

SQL Server VSS Writer Service is added to the sysadmin role

ran select ‘#’ + name +’#’ from sys.databases  - no spaces appear

tried to use the administrator account - no luck.

uninstalled sql vss rebooted and then reinstalled sqlwriter.msi  - no luck

running server 2012 R2 in a vmware vm.   SQL 2012 SP3 Std 64bit.    We do have SSL enabled for SQL.

any thoughts?

Thanks in advance.