Cannot Load Data Model SQL Server Error 40

[jkouloukas]

Hello all,

I am having issues connecting to Power BI Desktop. Everytime I try to open a PBIX file, an error message reads "Microsoft SQL: A network-related or instance-specific error occurred while establishing a connection to SQL Server. The server was not found or was not accessible. Verify that the instance name is correct and that SQL Server is configured to allow remote connections. (provider: Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 - Could not open a connection to SQL Server)" Once I close that out, I am able to see the data model but I am unable to see the visualizations. I have looked online to find problems like this, but I have not found a solution that has worked. 

[d_gosbell]

This does not sound like an issue with Power BI as such but it sounds like there is a permissions or network issue with the data source for the file you are attempting to open.

You would get this sort of error if you were trying to open an existing PBIX file that has been setup with a direct query data source and you either do not have permissions to the data source or the data source is not accessible (this could happen if you are working from home and you've opened the pbix from onedrive, but are not connected to your work network). You might need to request assistance from you DBA or IT team to help resolve this.