Setting myself as the report server administrator

[tgg3]

Hi all,

I am at a loss right now. I have installed SQL Server 2019 Enterprise edition, installed SSMS, installed Power BI Report Server May 2025 with my admin account. I have configured the report server service with a gMSA and new DB in the newly installed instance. When attempting to go to the new Power BI URL on the server, it opens up but I get an "Could not load folder contents....." message box that pops up. When I clear it, I don't have the Manage Folder in the uppe right corner or Site Settings in the drop down to add myself where I need to be added for admin perms of any kind. Where do I need to add myself to be able to administer the Power BI site? I am a SysAd in the report server DB as well. 

[tgg3 · Accepted solution]

I am good now. I went into the SQL Server DB and made a few ownership and permission level changes. I am now able to Manage folders, add roles & users, and go to Site Settings to give myself Site Administration. I also made some Branding changes for our environment. 

[v-dineshya]

Hi @tgg3 ,

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Community Forum.

The error "Could not load folder contents" and missing admin options like "Manage Folder" and "Site Settings" is typically due to insufficient permissions on the root folder of the report server.

Please follow below steps to fix the issue.

1. Log in with the account that installed Power BI Report Server. This account has default administrative privileges.

2. Navigate to the Report Server Web Portal,  http://<server-name>/reports . Click on Browse to access the root folder.

3. On the top right, click Manage Folder (next to "New", "Upload"). If you don’t see this option, check whether you are logged in with an account that has admin rights. If not add Yourself to the Folder Security, In the Security tab, click Add group or user. Enter your username or AD group. Assign the System Administrator or Content Manager role.

4. Once added, refresh the portal. Now you will see Site Settings in the dropdown and be able to manage folders.

Please refer the Microsoft document and community thread.

Power BI Report Server documentation - Power BI | Microsoft Learn

Solved: Re: Could not load folder contents - Microsoft Fabric Community

I hope this information helps. Please do let us know if you have any further queries.

Regards,

Dinesh

[tgg3]

Dinesh,

Thank you so much for responding. I have tried those steps in your comment prior to posting. I am at a loss as to why I wouldn't be able to start adding roles and permissions to the web portal if I am logged in as the same admin user that installed all of the products. I've even opened Edge as an admin just in case to try entering the portal URL. But I still get the same message that I do not have the correct permissions. I may have to uninstall it all and reinstall just to ensure it's not missing something. 

[v-dineshya]

Hi @tgg3 ,

As you mentioned in your previous response, you are going to uninstall  and reinstall the Report server. Once the installation done, please check the admin options. Please do let us know if you have any further queries.

Regards,

Dinesh

[v-dineshya]

Hi @tgg3 ,

We haven’t heard from you on the last response and was just checking back to see if you have a resolution yet. And, if you have any further query do let us know.

Regards,

Dinesh

[tgg3]

Dinesh,

Apologize for the delay, I've had other projects going on as well and was unable to get back to this one until late yesterday. So I am still in the same boat as before. I uninstalled Power BI Report Server, restarted the server, logged back into the server with my admin credentials, right-clicked run as administrator (just for good measure) the May 2025 Power BI Report Server installer, clicked Close once done (versus Configure Reporting Services), & then opened SSRS to configure Power BI portal. I left basic settings as possible but created a new DB & connection. When I went to the portal URL on the server browser (logged in as the admin that installed the software) I am still getting the insufficient permissions to add roles & users. Not sure what I am missing.