Forum Discussion
Preventing Scheduled Refresh Pause for Semantic Model Used Only via Email Subscriptions
Hi Team,
I have a Power BI semantic model with a scheduled refresh configured. However, the refresh schedule was automatically paused due to inactivity.
According to Microsoft documentation:
"After two months of inactivity, scheduled refresh on your semantic model is paused. A semantic model is considered inactive when no user has visited any dashboard or report built on the semantic model. When scheduled refresh is paused, the semantic model owner is sent an email. The refresh schedule for the semantic model is then displayed as disabled. To resume scheduled refresh, revisit any dashboard or report built on the semantic model."
In my scenario:
Users do not access reports directly from the Power BI Service.
Reports are delivered via email subscriptions on a regular basis.
Since no direct interaction is happening with dashboards or reports in the service, the model is considered "inactive" and the refresh gets paused — even though the model is actively being used through subscriptions.
My question:
How can I prevent the scheduled refresh from being automatically paused when the semantic model is only used through email subscriptions?
Is there any workaround or best practice to keep the dataset "active" in Microsoft's terms, even without direct user interaction?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Hi SBegum ,
Thanks for reaching out to the Microsoft fabric community forum.
Workaround 1: Use a Power BI API to Simulate ActivityCreate a scheduled task or script (e.g., using PowerShell or Azure Logic Apps) to programmatically access the report or dashboard at least once every 1-2 months.
Example using Power BI REST API:
You can use the Get Reoprt In Group API to simulate a report being viewed.
-
Tool: PowerShell / Azure Function / Scheduled Logic App
-
Authentication: Service Principal or Admin account with proper API permissions
-
Frequency: Every 25–30 days (just to be safe)
-
This activity will keep the model "active" in Microsoft’s system, thereby preventing the pause.
Relevant Microsoft Docs:
Power BI REST API Overview
Reports - Get Report in GroupAuthenticate with Power BI Service
Workaround 2: Setup a Dummy Report with Auto-Refresh Access
-
Create a minimal report that uses the semantic model.
-
Embed it in a SharePoint page or website.
-
Use a scheduled script or service (like Selenium, Python, etc.) to "visit" the report's embed URL every few weeks.
Relevant Microsoft Docs:
Embed Power BI Reports Securely
Workaround 3: Create a Real or Bot Account to View the Report
-
Have a service account or bot user open the report on a schedule via browser automation (e.g., Power Automate Desktop or Selenium).
-
This counts as activity.
Relevant Microsoft Docs:
Automate user login and report viewing using Power Automate
Use service accounts and automation with Power BI
Scheduled Cloud FlowsIf the response has addressed your query, please Accept it as a solution and give a 'Kudos' so other members can easily find it
Best Regards,
Sreeteja.
Community Support Team-
6 Replies
- GilbertQ
Super User
Hi SBegum
What I have done for customers is to pray to empower automated flow where I am executing a dax query against the semantic model because this power automated flow will run under a user context. It will look as if a user is interacting with the report and stopping the pause.
Another option is to use power automate to refresh the semantic model automatically every day.
Refreshing Power BI data sources with Power Automate | by Raphael Zaneti | Medium
Hi SBegum ,
Thanks for reaching out to the Microsoft fabric community forum.
Workaround 1: Use a Power BI API to Simulate ActivityCreate a scheduled task or script (e.g., using PowerShell or Azure Logic Apps) to programmatically access the report or dashboard at least once every 1-2 months.
Example using Power BI REST API:
You can use the Get Reoprt In Group API to simulate a report being viewed.
-
Tool: PowerShell / Azure Function / Scheduled Logic App
-
Authentication: Service Principal or Admin account with proper API permissions
-
Frequency: Every 25–30 days (just to be safe)
-
This activity will keep the model "active" in Microsoft’s system, thereby preventing the pause.
Relevant Microsoft Docs:
Power BI REST API Overview
Reports - Get Report in GroupAuthenticate with Power BI Service
Workaround 2: Setup a Dummy Report with Auto-Refresh Access
-
Create a minimal report that uses the semantic model.
-
Embed it in a SharePoint page or website.
-
Use a scheduled script or service (like Selenium, Python, etc.) to "visit" the report's embed URL every few weeks.
Relevant Microsoft Docs:
Embed Power BI Reports Securely
Workaround 3: Create a Real or Bot Account to View the Report
-
Have a service account or bot user open the report on a schedule via browser automation (e.g., Power Automate Desktop or Selenium).
-
This counts as activity.
Relevant Microsoft Docs:
Automate user login and report viewing using Power Automate
Use service accounts and automation with Power BI
Scheduled Cloud FlowsIf the response has addressed your query, please Accept it as a solution and give a 'Kudos' so other members can easily find it
Best Regards,
Sreeteja.
Community Support TeamHere is how i fixed it.
Used Power BI REST API to “ping” the report
Automate using PowerShell script + Task Scheduler
MattBossertHelper II
Would you mind sharing the PowerShell script you developed? I'm having the same issue as you, except I'm displaying report metrics in a scorecard. The scorecards are heavily used, but it doesn't count towards report viewership since nobody accesses the reports directly.
Hi SBegum ,
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.
Hi SBegum ,
May I ask if you have resolved this issue? If so, please mark the helpful reply and Accept it as the solution and give a 'Kudos'. This will be helpful for other community members who have similar problems to solve it faster.
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