Forum Discussion

Anonymous's avatar
Anonymous
Not applicable
1 year ago
Solved

Issue with Semantic Model Not Working in Power BI Service

I am currently developing a dashboard in Power BI that pulls data from three different sources: a database, an Excel file, and a semantic model located in the same workspace as the dashboard. While ...
Need Help
  • v-sdhruv's avatar
    v-sdhruv
    1 year ago

    Hi Anonymous
    If you are still unable to publish you Semantic Model, consider checking out  the Issues forum here:

    https://community.powerbi.com/t5/Issues/idb-p/Issues

    And if it is not there, then you could post it.
    If you have Pro account you could try to open a support ticket. If you have a Pro account it is free. Go to

    https://support.powerbi.com. 
    Hope this helps!
    If the response has addressed your query, please accept it as a solution and give a 'Kudos' so other members can easily find it.
    Thank You!

johnbasha33's avatar
johnbasha33
Super User
1 year ago

Hi Anonymous 

You're hitting a common but confusing issue in Power BI when combining multiple data sources — especially DirectQuery to another semantic model (previously known as "Live Connection to dataset") — in the Power BI Service. Let’s break it down and get you a fix.

Fix Steps

🔁 Step 1: Reconnect to the Semantic Model from scratch in Power BI Desktop

  1. In Power BI Desktop, delete the existing semantic model connection.

Use this menu to re-add it properly:

Home > Get Data > Power BI Datasets > [Your workspace] > [Your dataset]

  1. Import it as DirectQuery, not Import.

  2. Save the file, re-publish the report.

This ensures the Power BI Desktop saves the correct internal ID and binding for the semantic model.

Step 2: Clear broken cloud data source references

If that warning persists:

  1. Go to Power BI Service > Dataset Settings > Data source credentials.

  2. If a cloud source looks “deleted”, remove the broken reference if possible (even though the UI doesn’t always let you).

  3. Then go to the semantic model (not the report), click “Manage permissions”.

Re-grant access or refresh credentials — especially if a personal account was used initially.

Step 3: Validate permissions & roles

  • Make sure the service principal or publishing user has:

    • Build permission on the source dataset.

Workspace Member or Contributor role.

Optional: Use the New Composite Model Experience

Microsoft is continuously updating how semantic models can be reused. If your tenant has enabled “DirectQuery for Power BI datasets and Azure Analysis Services”, it should support this — but older models or cross-workspace connections often break unless fully refreshed

Did I answer your question? Mark my post as a solution! Appreciate your Kudos !!



Anonymous's avatar
Anonymous
Not applicable
1 year ago

Thank you for your previous response. I have followed the recommended steps, but unfortunately, the issue persists. Here's an update based on my recent tests:

  • After following the steps provided, the problem remains unresolved.

  • If I create a brand-new report in Power BI Desktop and import only the semantic model, it works both in Desktop and in the Power BI Service.

  • However, when I add a table from a database to that same report, I can view the database data, but the visuals connected to the semantic model stop working again.

  • In the "Data source credentials" settings of the current report’s semantic model, I have the option to edit credentials for both data sources. When I enter the credentials for the database, I receive the following error:
    "Failed to update data source credentials. An error happened while reading data from the provider. The remote certificate is invalid according to the validation procedure."

 

 

  • Additionally, when I add an Excel file as a data source, I can no longer edit the data source credentials. Instead, I get the following warning:
    "The data source database is missing credentials and cannot be accessed."

 

Please note that my account has a Pro license.