In contrast to the microprobe-induced defects, our attempt to generate defects via FIB milling and scratching the surface with a diamond scribe were unsuccessful. Even a small exposure of the LLZO surface to the Ga + -ion beam was sufficient to completely prevent lithium metal from being deposited on the surface of LLZO, possibly due to amorphization of the surface. Macroscopic scratches resulted in significantly different lithium-plating kinetics, making comparisons between the pristine LLZO surface and the damaged surface unapplicable.