Issue with Data Source Connection in Power BI Service

[AndreaCBS]

Hi Power BI Community,

I'm experiencing an issue with a report in Power BI Service that I'm hoping someone can help me resolve. The error message states, "The report was unable to access the data source. Contact the author to correct the error."

Here are the steps I've taken so far to troubleshoot the issue:

1. Checked Permissions: The user accessing the report has the necessary permissions for both the workspace and the OLAP cube (data source).

2. Configured Data Gateway: The data gateway is connected and online.

3. Verified Connection: The connection to the data source is active and functioning.

4. Updated Power BI: While the issue is with the online service, I've ensured that I am using the latest version of Power BI Desktop as well.

5. Author Verification: I am the author of the report and I've tried to correct the error, but I can't identify the root cause.

Interestingly, I recently created another report with similar settings and didn't encounter this issue.

Additionally, when I connect to Power BI Service, I can see everything correctly, but the client is experiencing the mentioned issue.

Could anyone provide insights or suggestions on what might be causing this error and how to fix it?

[v-mdharahman]

Hi @AndreaCBS,

As we haven’t heard back from you, so just following up to our previous message. I'd like to confirm if you've successfully resolved this issue or if you need further help.

If yes, you are welcome to share your workaround and mark it as a solution so that other users can benefit as well. If you find a reply particularly helpful to you, you can also mark it as a solution.

If you still have any questions or need more support, please feel free to let us know. We are more than happy to continue to help you.
Thank you for your patience and look forward to hearing from you.

[AndreaCBS]

Nope, still there. And I'm frustrated like no one!

[v-mdharahman]

Hi @AndreaCBS,

If you are still unable to solve the issue you can reach out to Microsoft Support by raising a ticket with them.

Please refer below link on how to raise a contact support or support ticket.
How to create a Fabric and Power BI Support ticket - Power BI | Microsoft Learn

Best Regards,
Hammad.
Community Support Team

If this post helps then please mark it as a solution, so that other members find it more quickly.

Thank you.

[v-mdharahman]

Hi @AndreaCBS,

Thanks for reaching out to the Microsoft fabric community forum.

It looks like facing issue with your report being unable to access the data source. Usually PowerBI Service throws this error when it cannot establish a successful connection with the expected data source. As you have already mentioned you have taken some troubleshooting steps related to connection, version and permissions. This shows the issue is specific to report rather than a configuration issue.

As @3CloudThomas already asked about the mode of semantic model as it is important to know because Power BI handles data connections differently based on the mode.

As you also said there's another report with similar settings which works fine. Then the issue could be related to:

* Dataset configurations (such as parameters or transformations),

* Gateway mapping specific to the report,

* Caching issues in Power BI Service,

* User roles and row-level security (RLS),

* Differences in report-level filters or query load patterns.

I would also take a moment to thank @3CloudThomas, for actively participating in the community forum and for the solutions you’ve been sharing in the community forum. Your contributions make a real differe

If I misunderstand your needs or you still have problems on it, please feel free to let us know.  

Best Regards,
Hammad.
Community Support Team

If this post helps then please mark it as a solution, so that other members find it more quickly.

Thank you.

[AndreaCBS]

The report uses a live Connection to an OLAP cube.

"As you also said there's another report with similar settings which works fine." 
I had other report connected with different cubes, but settings are the same.

There is only one user, with admin role that use this report.

[v-mdharahman]

Hi @AndreaCBS,

Thanks for confirming that your report uses a Live Connection to an OLAP cube. Since another report connected to a different cube works fine, the issue is likely related to that particular cube's connection rather than the general setup.

Thank you.

[AndreaCBS]

"the issue is likely related to that particular cube's connection rather than the general setup".

No, as I said I can see the report correctly but the client no, so it's not a problem of connection, I guessed permissions, but the client had the same settings of other cube and she have only problem with report connected with this one.

@3CloudThomas talked about a cleaning permission option from power bi desktop. I didn't find this option. I asked for more details but I'm still waiting his answer.

[v-mdharahman]

Hi @AndreaCBS,

Thanks for the clarification, since you can see the report correctly but the client cannot, the issue is likely user-specific and related to either permissions, caching, or how the authentication token is being handled.

@3CloudThomas might be referring to clearing cached credentials in Power BI Desktop. Your client can do it by going to Power BI Desktop then click on File -> Options and Settings -> Data Source Settings. There they have to locate the connection to the OLAP Cube and click Clear Permissions and re-enter credentials.

After that, make the client reopen Power BI Service and try accessing the report again.

Also make sure the client have effective permissions on the Cube. Even though the client has the same permissions as in other cubes, SSAS (OLAP) security can be schema-specific. They can check it by going to SSMS -> Connect to SSAS Instance -> Security -> Roles. Also make sure the client is explicitly listed with "Read" or "Full Control" access on this cube. 

And also test the client’s access in incognito mode as sometimes, PowerBI Service caches authentication tokens, which can cause permission issues.

Best Regards,
Hammad.
Community Support Team

If this post helps then please mark it as a solution, so that other members find it more quickly.

Thank you.

[3CloudThomas]

What mode is the Semantic Model? Import? DirectQuery? or Direct Lake?

[AndreaCBS]

Live Connection to an OLAP cube

[3CloudThomas]

If you are in the Desktop, try to Clear Permissions. This is in the Data Souce Settings of the desktop. Sometime, the desktop gets stuck using one set of permissions for a similar connection, and you just need to reset it. 

[AndreaCBS]

I tried to find the option but i didn't find it. Could you send me a screenshot?

I guess it's an option not available if you are live connected to an OLAP cube but I'll wait your answer!

Thanks in advance!

[v-mdharahman]

Hi @AndreaCBS,

If you are using Direct Query, there are few troubleshooting steps you can follow and see if this resolves your issue.

* You can check if the gateway mapping is correctly configured in the Power BI Service. Go to manage

   gateways and there check the Data sources for mapping of the report.

* Confirm that the user has permissions on the data source itself.

If I misunderstand your needs or you still have problems on it, please feel free to let us know.  

Best Regards,
Hammad.
Community Support Team

If this post helps then please mark it as a solution, so that other members find it more quickly.

Thank you.

[AndreaCBS]

Live Connection to an OLAP cube