Dataset Not Loading After Power Query Edits – Stuck on Syncing Schema

[ManoharGorantla]

Hello,

We are facing an issue in Power BI Desktop where the dataset does not refresh or load after making any changes in Power Query. Whenever we update something whether through the Advanced Editor, by creating a new column, or changing a data type the dataset should reload with the updated data. Instead, it gets stuck on a loading screen showing Syncing Schema, and the process never completes.
We have waited for more than an hour, but the data still doesn’t load.

I’m attaching a screenshot for reference, showing the problem occurring even with a single dataset refresh.

Has anyone faced this issue or found a solution? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Manohar

[V-yubandi-msft]

Hi @ManoharGorantla ,
Please review the response provided by @Shubham_rai955 , as it includes useful information. Let us know if you need any further assistance.

Thank You.

[Shubham_rai955 · Accepted solution]

Power BI Desktop gets stuck on "Syncing Schema" after Power Query changes because the semantic model cannot reconcile the updated structure (new columns, data types, or Advanced Editor modifications) with the existing model.​

Primary Solution

Close Power BI Desktop completely, ensuring no PBIDesktop.exe processes run in Task Manager (use End Task if needed), then reopen the PBIX file; this forces a clean schema sync on reload. After reopening, go to Transform Data > Refresh Preview at the Navigation step for each query, cancel any hanging refreshes, then select Refresh All until previews load, and finally Close & Apply.​

Additional Fixes

• Expand the Refresh button (Home or Data pane) and select "Sync schema only" first to update the model structure without full data reload, then refresh data separately if needed.​

• Clear data source credentials via Transform Data > Data source settings > Clear permissions, re-enter them, and check for large datasets or slow sources causing hangs.​

• If persistent, save as a new PBIX, disable auto-recovery, or update to the latest Power BI Desktop version to address known refresh bugs.

[ManoharGorantla]

Hello @amitchandak 
Thank you for your response and guidance. I followed the steps you suggested, but when I refresh Meta first, the evaluation pop-up window does not close as shown in the screenshot.

If I click Cancel, it displays an error message for each dataset, as shown below.

Not able to find the exact root cause and its very difficult to rebuild the report from scratch. 

Request everyone to suggest any other solution to fix this issue.

Thank you for your support.

Regards,

Manohar

[V-yubandi-msft]

Hi @ManoharGorantla ,
Could you please review the response shared by @amitchandak  and let us know if you need any further assistance.

Thank you.

[rohit1991]

Hii @ManoharGorantla 

Power BI gets stuck at “Syncing schema” because it cannot reconcile the new PQ structure with the existing model.

Fix that works reliably:

1. Close Power BI Desktop completely (make sure no background PBIDesktop.exe is running).
2. Clear the Power BI cache:
• File >> Options & Settings >> Options >> Data Load >> Clear Cache.
3. Reopen the PBIX and manually refresh.
4. If still stuck, open Power Query >> Tools >> Options >> Global >> Power Query >> Clear Cache, then restart again.
5. As a final fix, go to
   Model view >> Home >> Refresh >> Apply changes  this forces the model to rebuild schema.

This issue is quite common after recent updates, and a cache + metadata rebuild resolves it almost every time.

[ManoharGorantla]

Hello @rohit1991 ,

Thank you for your quick response but still im getting same issue after following above steps.

Regards,

Manohar

[amitchandak]

@ManoharGorantla , New version, In-home refresh, you have the option to refresh both meta and Data. First refresh meta and then refresh meta and data