Cannot open Power BI Desktop without internet connection

[Sam88]

Hi all,

I'm facing problems trying to open Power BI Desktop without internet connection.

I've have the February update version 2.55.5010.641 64-bit  just installed.

It seems that the tool doesn't work without internet connection.

Has someone else encountered this problem?

thanks,

Samuele

[v-qiuyu-msft]

Hi @Sam88,

Based on my test with the same Power BI desktop version as yours, we can open a blank report in desktop without Internet connected.  

In your scenario, please open a blank report to test again.  By the way, is there any specific reason you want to run desktop without Internet? As many desktop features require Internet, eg: publish report, get data from Azure SQL, import custom visuals, etc. 

Best Regards,

Qiuyun Yu

[Sam88]

Hi!

I still have the error below.

Error Message:
Object reference not set to an instance of an object.

The problem was encountered by my colleague during a demo of the product to a new prospect, because he wasn't able to connect to the network.

thanks

[Newbie1]

I am also facing the same problem and same error. Its not opening even blank file. I was giving demo without internet and Power BI was simply not opening. I had to go to a cafe where internet was there and it started working. 

Any idea, if its a new requirement.

Release:
February 2018

Product Version:
2.55.5010.641 (PBIDesktop) (x64)

Regards

[v-qiuyu-msft]

Hi @Sam88@Newbie1,

I have reported this issue internally: CRI 60944167. Will update here once I get any information. 

Best Regards,
Qiuyun Yu 

[Paulus]

HI, I encounter this problem as well. Annoying. Every now and then I present at a customer's location without immediate access to internet, in which case I open a pbix file stored locally on my drive. No longer possible.  Remedy indeed is to create a internet connection, then it works.

Paul

[mussol_]

Hello, I posted the same problem and closed because I see there are other posts with the same problem.

My solution was to downgrade to the PBI Desktop issued  by January, this release works fine off line.

I hope that it will be solved in the march issue.

I hope this solution will help you also.

Regards,

Josep.

[Anonymous]

me too. still waiting for solution. 

http://community.powerbi.com/t5/Desktop/Power-BI-Desktop-does-not-open-when-computer-is-offline/m-p/...

[v-qiuyu-msft]

Hi all, 

I got information that the issue will be fixed in March release. Please test again after Power BI desktop March version is released. 

Best Regards,
Qiuyun Yu