Preventing Scheduled Refresh Pause for Semantic Model Used Only via Email Subscriptions

[SBegum]

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!

[v-sshirivolu]

Hi @SBegum ,
Thanks for reaching out to the Microsoft fabric community forum.

Workaround 1: Use a Power BI API to Simulate Activity

Create 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 Group

Authenticate 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:

Power BI Report URL and Embed

Embed Power BI Reports Securely

Power Automate Desktop

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 Flows

If 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 

[v-sshirivolu]

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.

[GilbertQ]

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