Forum Discussion
Can't refresh semantic model in Service
- 1 year ago
Hi joelmsherman - The error indicates that the Power BI Service is unable to refresh the semantic model because the connection to the Fabric Lakehouse SQL endpoint is not properly configured with explicit credentials.
Step 1: Understand the Problem
Default Data Connection Issue: The semantic model uses the default connection settings, which rely on credentials not explicitly provided in the cloud or via a gateway.
Authentication Method: When selecting "Basic" authentication, you need the correct credentials to connect to the SQL endpoint.
Step 2: Verify the SQL Endpoint Credentials
Fabric Lakehouse SQL Endpoint:
By default, Fabric SQL endpoints use Azure Active Directory (AAD) authentication for access.
If the "Basic" option is asking for a username and password, ensure you are not using your Power BI username/password but rather the credentials for an AAD user with access to the Fabric workspace.
Test Locally:
Use a SQL client like SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) or Azure Data Studio to connect to the SQL endpoint using the same credentials. This will confirm whether the credentials are correct.
Step 3: Configure the Semantic Model Connection
Go to the Power BI Service.
Open the Settings for the dataset/semantic model.
Under Data source credentials, configure the connection:
Authentication Method: Use OAuth2 (recommended) or AAD account if available.
If OAuth2 is not supported, use a Basic authentication method only if the SQL endpoint has a dedicated username and password configured.
Step 4: Set Up a Gateway (if needed)
If the SQL endpoint is not accessible directly via the cloud, you might need to configure a Data Gateway:Install and configure an On-premises Data Gateway.
Add the data source for the Lakehouse SQL endpoint in the gateway settings.
Configure the Power BI dataset to use the gateway.
Step 5: Test and Refresh
After updating the credentials, trigger a manual refresh in the Power BI Service.
Monitor for any errors during the refresh.Please check the above detailed information.
Hi,
Since July 30th 2025, my semantic models in Power Bi service are not being refreshed.
I refresh the reports through Power Bi Desktop, which are linked to a local SQL server, and then publish in Power Bi Service. There is no direct connection, or gateways.
I now get the below message.
Can anyone help resolve this issue ? I'm unable to find a solution.