Forum Discussion
Missing Org Theme in Desktop
We have the latest version of the PBI Desktop pushed from IT, so auto updated the day after a new version is released.
We have published an Org.Theme via the Tenant Admin to the entire organization.
For some users this theme will show, for others it will not.
We have tried to clear cache from C:\Users\xxx\Microsoft\Power BI Desktop Store App\Cache
User is signed in, have appropriate license.
Anyone experiencing similar issue and know a fix?
Hii kdqdk
We also had this before — it’s actually a known issue with Organization Themes in Power BI Desktop where the theme doesn’t consistently appear for all users even though it’s published tenant-wide.
Checks & Fixes that usually resolve it:
-
Confirm Tenant Setup – Theme must be published in the Admin portal to the entire org, not scoped to a group.
-
Verify Sign-in – Make sure the user is signed in with their licensed org account (Desktop sometimes defaults to cached profiles).
-
Check Desktop Build – Confirm everyone is on the exact same version/build (Help → About). Store vs MSI can lag.
-
Clear Full Cache – Beyond
Cache, also clear:-
%localappdata%\Microsoft\Power BI Desktop Store App\User.zip -
%localappdata%\Microsoft\Power BI Desktop Store App\AnalysisServicesWorkspaces
Then sign out → restart Desktop → sign back in.
-
-
Sync Delay – Sometimes there’s a lag in pulling the theme down from the cloud. A sign-out/in cycle usually refreshes the token and fetches it.
Workaround: If it still doesn’t appear, export the Org theme JSON from the Service and let affected users manually import it via View → Themes → Browse for themes until sync catches up.
👉 Microsoft has acknowledged intermittent bugs here, so in stubborn cases, reinstalling Desktop (especially moving between Store ↔ MSI versions) is the only way it stabilizes.
In our cases workaround helped.
If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.
Happy to help!-
3 Replies
Hii kdqdk
We also had this before — it’s actually a known issue with Organization Themes in Power BI Desktop where the theme doesn’t consistently appear for all users even though it’s published tenant-wide.
Checks & Fixes that usually resolve it:
-
Confirm Tenant Setup – Theme must be published in the Admin portal to the entire org, not scoped to a group.
-
Verify Sign-in – Make sure the user is signed in with their licensed org account (Desktop sometimes defaults to cached profiles).
-
Check Desktop Build – Confirm everyone is on the exact same version/build (Help → About). Store vs MSI can lag.
-
Clear Full Cache – Beyond
Cache, also clear:-
%localappdata%\Microsoft\Power BI Desktop Store App\User.zip -
%localappdata%\Microsoft\Power BI Desktop Store App\AnalysisServicesWorkspaces
Then sign out → restart Desktop → sign back in.
-
-
Sync Delay – Sometimes there’s a lag in pulling the theme down from the cloud. A sign-out/in cycle usually refreshes the token and fetches it.
Workaround: If it still doesn’t appear, export the Org theme JSON from the Service and let affected users manually import it via View → Themes → Browse for themes until sync catches up.
👉 Microsoft has acknowledged intermittent bugs here, so in stubborn cases, reinstalling Desktop (especially moving between Store ↔ MSI versions) is the only way it stabilizes.
In our cases workaround helped.
If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.
Happy to help!Thanks Shivu-2000 , user confirmed this solution fixed the issue:
"...deletion of 3 files and computer restart caused instant change in my version to 2.146.1454.0 64-bit (August 2025) and resolved the issue"
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Hi kdqdk ,
this is a fairly common pain point for org themes, and there are a couple of known culprits. The most frequent causes are the Power BI Desktop store app vs MSI difference, or the org theme feature being tied to a preview/tenant setting. Here’s how to tackle it.
What’s typically happening
Some users get the Organizational theme, others don’t, even with the same admin publishing it. This often happens when:
They’re running the Power BI Desktop Store app (instead of the MSI/standalone desktop).
The Organizational themes feature is controlled by a preview/tenant setting and isn’t enabled for all users yet.
The theme cache on the client isn’t refreshed.
Recommended fixes (in order)Use the MSI/standalone Power BI Desktop instead of the Store app
The MSI version generally handles tenant org themes more reliably.
If your users are on the Store app, have IT install the MSI version from powerbi.com and disable/uninstall the Store app version.
After install, sign out/in and reopen Power BI Desktop.
Check the Organizational themes preview/setting on the client (for older builds)In Power BI Desktop, go to File > Options and settings > Options > Preview features.
Look for “Organizational themes” (or similar) and enable it if it’s available.
Restart the app after enabling.
Verify tenant admin settings and theme publicationEnsure the Admin/Tenant admin has published the org theme to the entire tenant and that there are no scope restrictions.
In the Power BI Admin Portal, confirm that organization-wide themes are allowed and that there’s no policy blocking certain users/groups.
Sign out and sign back in, and refresh cachesSign out of Power BI Desktop, close the app, then sign back in with an AAD account that’s in the tenant.
Clear relevant caches (in addition to the Store cache you mentioned, consider:
C:\Users<you>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Power BI Desktop
And for the MSI path: C:\Users<you>\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.PowerBI_*\LocalCache)
Reopen the app and check under View > Themes > Organizational themes.
Ensure connectivity and scopeThe theme is delivered from the service, so the user needs to be online and signed into the tenant.
If some users are in a different tenant or have guest accounts, confirm their access to the org theme.
If none of the above resolves itCollect and share with IT/admin:
Power BI Desktop version (Help > About)
OS version
Whether you’re using MSI vs Store
Admin portal tenant theme status (and the exact tenant-wide setting)
Whether the issue is persistent for all users or only a subset
Consider raising a Microsoft support case if it appears to be a service-side delivery problem.Please mark this post as solution if it helps you. Appreciate Kudos.
