Issue with Semantic Model Not Working in Power BI Service

[-arantunes-]

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 everything works as expected in Power BI Desktop, once I publish the dashboard to the Power BI Service, the visuals that rely on the semantic model data stop working. In the Desktop app, I receive a message indicating that the dashboard was published but is not disconnected. 

However, in the Service, I get an error saying there is no gateway available to access the data source of the semantic model.

Additionally, when I check the semantic model settings in the Service, I see a yellow warning:
"One or more cloud data sources for this semantic model have been deleted. Recreate cloud data sources."
When I click on "Recreate cloud data sources", nothing happens, and the same warning reappears.

I also tried to create a gateway connection and configure mapping under Gateway Connections, but I cannot apply the mapping — it does not save or take effect.

Could you please assist me in resolving this issue? I would like to understand how to correctly reconnect or reconfigure the semantic model so that the visuals work in the Service as they do in Desktop.

[v-sdhruv]

Hi @-arantunes- ,
Since we didnt hear from you. I hope you were successfully able to create the support ticket.
If you need any assistance in raising the ticket let us know.
Thank you for reaching out.

[Wikkleyn_81]

Hi @-arantunes- From your first screenshot, it doesn't look like you have a gateway installed.

You mention you have a database, excel and dataset as your sources. From that screenshot, the connection to your dataset should be sorted.

The database is that an on-prem db or is it in Azure?

The excel file, what is the path to the excel file? Is it on your laptop or to a path on a server? My recommendation would be to rather use OneDrive or SharePoint for an excel file. That would remove the need for a gateway connection.

https://support.cloudextend.io/en/articles/5473095-get-excel-data-from-a-single-file-or-entire-folde...

[v-sdhruv · Accepted solution]

Hi @-arantunes-
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!

[v-sdhruv]

Hi @-arantunes- ,

Just wanted to check if you had the opportunity to review the suggestion provided?
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

[v-sdhruv]

HI @-arantunes- 
The error message which you are getting -"Your file was published but disconnected", could be due to
Your database has no gateway assigned?
Guidance for deploying a data gateway for the Power BI service - Power BI | Microsoft Learn.

Verify that your On-Premises Data Gateway is up to date and properly configured to handle the data sources.

• In the Power BI Service, navigate to Settings > Manage Gateways.

• Ensure that the data source is added to the gateway and that the credentials are correctly entered.

  Also, check out this link where a similar issue was resolved.
  This might help you undersatnd the issue.
  Your file was published, but disconnected.
  

  
  If this post helps, please give us Kudos and consider marking it Accept as solution to assist other members in finding it more easily.
  Thnak You!
  

[-arantunes-]

Thank you for your previous response, but unfortunately, the issue persists.

[v-sdhruv]

Hi @-arantunes- ,
Just wanted to check if you had the opportunity to review the suggestion provided?
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]

Hi @-arantunes- 

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 !!

[-arantunes-]

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.