Possible memory leak?

[jgores77]

Hello,

I'm running a DirectQuery to a database using 4 tables from the same database.  When I try to add latitude and longitude columns from one of the tables, it adds them fine, but creates an average of the values.  Then when I tell Power BI "Don't Summarize" these columns it cranks for a little while and does it, but then the memory usage climbs until all memory is used and remains there for a long time.  Very often I simply have to close Power BI and wait for the memory usage to drop back down and then start over.  I have experienced this with other columns and other tables in this database, every time it is the msmdsrv.exe process that is eating up the memory.  (See attached screen shot.)

What is happening?  How do I fix this?

 

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

HI @jgores77,

I think your table contains huge amount of records, right?

When you cancel summary method, power bi will expand summarized records and re-analysis and calculation formulas on them.(these operation will cost huge amount of memory if your table contains large amount records, complex measure calculation, nested loop functions)

BTW, power bi will generate analysis instance to store your data when data model generated. So 'msmdsrv.exe' will cost lot of memories when power bi calculation these process.

Reference:

What is msmdsrv.exe?

Spoiler

The process known as Analysis server or Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services or SQL Server Analysis Services (MSSQLSERVER) or OLAP server or Microsoft SQL Server (version 2005 Analysis Services) 

belongs to software Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services or Microsoft SQL Server(version 2005, 2005 Books Online, 2005 Tools, 2005 Backward, 2005 Analysis Services) or Microsoft SQL Server Native or Microsoft SQL Server OLAP Services 

Regards,

Xiaoxin Sheng

[jgores77]

Hi @Anonymous/Xiaoxin,

I thought this might be the case as well, so I limited the data to a single year using the Page Level Filter (reducing my rows of data from 600K to about 14K) and deleted all calculations.  Power BI still does the same thing.

Any other thoughts?

[Anonymous]

HI @jgores77,

If you only drag that column to visual and do same operate it, do this issue appears?

If your create new report or test with other device, did these operations spend less memory?

Regards,

Xiaoxin Sheng

[jgores77]

Hi @Anonymous,

If I create a map with the same fields in the tooltip, I can add everything I want without any issues.  However, in the spreadsheet view, the memory issue happens over and over.  My manager tried the file on his machine with the same results.  Here's a screenshot from his machine:

His memory also goes to 94%+ as well.

I've uninstalled and reinstalled Power BI as well and have tried an earlier version on Power BI and the issue occurs each time.

I'm happy to share the file if that would be of help.

Thanks!

Jim

[Anonymous]

HI @jgores77,

I also not sure why this appears, please submit a support ticket to get more support from power bi team.

submit a support ticket

Regards,

Xiaoxin Sheng

[jgores77]

Hi @Anonymous,

I'm not a Pro user and thus I can't submit a support ticket.  I won't be able to become one for a few more months since I work for a government agency and we are in the process of moving to Office 365.  I've found a workaround outside of Power BI, so I'll hold onto this issue for now.  Maybe future updates will fix it, if not, I'll submit a ticket when I become a Pro user.

Thanks!

Jim