Deployment Pipeline Error

[RonaldBalza-943]

I recently published a semantic model with reports that are connected to the Fabric warehouse. When I try to deploy from development to test, I encounter an error. However, when deploying from test to production, there are no issues. What could be causing this problem. Thanks in advance 🙂

[Nasif_Azam]

Hey @RonaldBalza-943 ,

Based on the error message, it looks like the deployment from development to test is failing because some related items most likely your Fabric Warehouse or the related semantic model dependencies are not included in the deployment or don’t exist yet in the test workspace. Since the deployment from test to production works fine, it's likely that all dependencies already exist in production, but not in test. You need to chek:

• Confirm if the Fabric Warehouse used by the semantic model exists in the test workspace.

• If it doesn’t exists add the warehouse manually to the test workspace, or Include it as part of the deployment pipeline step.

• If you're referencing shared datasets or parameters, make sure they’re available or deployed to test as well.

• Click on “Learn more” in the error to see exactly which related items are missing and please share it, so we may come with the correct answer.

For Detailed Information:

Deployment pipelines in Microsoft Fabric

Troubleshoot deployment pipeline errors

Include related items in Fabric deployment

Working with semantic models in deployment pipelines

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Best Regards,
Nasif Azam

[RonaldBalza-943]

I don't believe this is an issue. I cleared all the workspaces and published both the semantic model and report to the Dev and Test workspaces (leaving Prod empty). Now, when I try to deploy from Dev to Test, the error persists. However, deploying from Test to Prod works perfectly.

[Nasif_Azam]

Hey @RonaldBalza-943 ,

I think it could be related to workspace binding or hidden references inside the semantic model that still point to the Dev warehouse or its specific dataset ID, which might not match the one in Test.

Few things I suggest:

1. Check dataset binding inside the semantic model: Even if the warehouse is published in both workspaces, the semantic model in Dev might still be hard-bound to the Dev warehouse's internal ID. When deploying, Fabric may be unable to resolve that binding in Test.

• Open the semantic model in Power BI Desktop or XMLA endpoint.

• Look at the data source bindings and confirm they are parameterized or match the Test warehouse.

2. Check for parameters or dynamic data source settings: If your model uses parameters (like workspace name, environment, or server URI), make sure:

• The parameter values are set appropriately in each environment.

• Any referenced data source names match exactly between Dev and Test.

3. Try deploying with 'Include related items' enabled: On the deployment pipeline step:

• Click on “Include related items”.

• This ensures that any linked data source or dataset will be part of the deployment.

4. Review technical details from the error: From your screenshot, the deployment is blocked right at the semantic model (Contract To Billing Dataset). Click “Learn more” in the error pop-up it often highlights the exact dependency or missing reference. If that shows something specific, feel free to share and I’ll help dig deeper.

If you found this solution helpful, please consider accepting it and giving it a kudos (Like) it’s greatly appreciated and helps others find the solution more easily.

Best Regards,
Nasif Azam

[v-kpoloju-msft]

Hi @RonaldBalza-943,

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Fabric Community, and thanks to @rajendraongole1, @Elena_Kalina, for their valuable inputs on this thread.

Based on the message “Can't start the deployment” and the item “Contract to Billing Dataset”, the issue is likely related to missing dependent items in the Test workspace.

The semantic model you are deploying from Development to Test is connected to a Fabric data item (such as a Warehouse, Lakehouse, or Dataflow Gen2). When you deploy it, any related or linked items must also be included in the deployment, or they must already exist in the target workspace (Test).

Since you're able to deploy from Test to Production successfully, it suggests that Production already has those dependencies in place. However, the Test workspace is missing the linked items your dataset depends on which is why the deployment is blocked.

When you open the deployment pipeline and click Deploy to Test from the Development stage, a list of items available for deployment will appear. In that list, ensure that you select not only the semantic model but also any dependent items, such as the Fabric Warehouse or Lakehouse it connects to. This will allow the entire solution, including its dependencies, to be deployed together.

Manually pre-create the required dependencies in the Test workspace. If the related items are not selectable in the deployment screen (for example, if they exist outside the current workspace or pipeline), you will need to manually publish or create those items such as a Fabric Warehouse with the same name and structure in the Test workspace. Once these are in place, you can retry the deployment of the semantic model, and it should proceed successfully.

Solved thread for reference:
Solved: Pipeline deployment failing - Can't start the depl... - Microsoft Fabric Community
Solved: Deployment Pipeline error - Microsoft Fabric Community

Kindly refer to the below links for better understanding:
The Microsoft Fabric deployment pipelines process - Microsoft Fabric | Microsoft Learn

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[RonaldBalza-943]

I don't believe this is an issue. I cleared all the workspaces and published both the semantic model and report to the Dev and Test workspaces (leaving Prod empty). Now, when I try to deploy from Dev to Test, the error persists. However, deploying from Test to Prod works perfectly.

[v-kpoloju-msft]

Hi @RonaldBalza-943,

Thank you for the update, and I appreciate the clarity on your current setup. Here are a few suggestions and checks that could help.

Check for Orphaned Deployment Rules: Sometimes, if you had earlier artifacts in the pipeline and later removed or renamed them, old deployment rules may persist behind the scenes and cause deployment to fail. Navigate to your deployment pipeline settings. Open the deployment rules for Dev to Test. Make sure: There are no invalid or broken mappings (e.g., pointing to deleted datasets or parameters). All mapped datasets and parameters exist and match between Dev and Test.

Try Removing and Re-adding Dev Workspace: If Dev workspace is consistently failing to deploy forward:

• Remove the Dev stage from the deployment pipeline temporarily
• Re-add it and reconnect the same Dev workspace
• Republish the artifacts and try the deployment again

This can sometimes reset hidden metadata that causes pipeline sync issues.

Compare Artifact Names and Versions: Make sure the names and versions of the semantic model and report in Dev and Test match exactly. Even small differences (e.g., spaces or case) can confuse the deployment engine.

You might find this Microsoft documentation helpful for deployment troubleshooting:
Deployment pipelines in Power BI - Troubleshoot errors

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[rajendraongole1]

Hi @RonaldBalza-943 - Similar issue reported. please check the solved thread:

Solved: Deployment Pipeline error - Microsoft Fabric Community

Hope this helps.

[Elena_Kalina]

Hi @RonaldBalza-943 

Ah, deployment issues can be tricky! From what you're describing, it sounds like the test environment might be missing something that's already in production. The error specifically mentions the "Contract To Billing Dataset" - is that part of your semantic model?

A couple of things to check:

• Did you include all dependencies when deploying to test? Sometimes reports rely on datasets or dataflows that aren't automatically included.

• Are the warehouse connections identical between dev and test? Even small differences in configuration can cause these errors.

The fact that test-to-production works suggests production already has all the necessary components. Maybe try deploying just the dataset first, then the reports?

If this post helps, then please consider Accepting as solution to help the other members find it more quickly, don't forget to give a "Kudos" – I’d truly appreciate it! 

Thank you.

[RonaldBalza-943]

Hi Elena, thanks for taking the time to look into this. I’ve published the same semantic model and report to both workspaces, but I'm still encountering the same issue with the semantic model. The connections and settings are identical. I also just realized that I can’t create a rule for it