how to use private gateway connection

[neilrogers]

I have successfully installed the private gateway for my custom connector. But I can't figure out how to use the new gateway in my data source. In the videos I've see there should be a gateway connections menu item in the sematic model settings but its not visible for me.

How do I get my report to use the gateway?

 

  

[v-tsaipranay]

Hi @neilrogers ,

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Fabric Community.

The reason you're not seeing the "Gateway Connections" option is because your semantic model doesn't have any data source configured. This option only becomes visible when the report contains a supported on-premises data source that requires a gateway connection. To fix this, add a supported data source like SQL Server or API to your report, republish it to Microsoft Fabric, and then navigate to Semantic model settings. The Gateway Connections option should appear, allowing you to select your Private Gateway and apply the connection.

I hope my suggestions give you good idea, if you need any further assistance, feel free to reach out.

If this post helps, then please give us Kudos and consider Accept it as a solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

Thank you. 

[v-tsaipranay]

Hi @neilrogers ,

I wanted to check if you had the opportunity to review the information provided. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions. If my response has addressed your query, please accept it as a solution and give a 'Kudos' so other members can easily find it.

Thank you.

[neilrogers]

Hi,

Thank you, I am using a custom connector that i built. When i try and add the datasource via the online interface it says that i must use the desktop power bi to add the datasource. Which I have done then i publish the report online and it still looks like my screenshot above.

 

[v-tsaipranay · Accepted solution]

Hi @neilrogers ,

Thanks for the clarification, since you're using a custom connector, the gateway needs some extra setup to recognize it properly. First, ensure your .mez file is placed on the gateway machine under:
C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Documents\Power BI Desktop\Custom Connectors, and confirm the gateway service account has read access to the folder.

Next, open the On-premises Data Gateway app, go to Connectors, and enable custom connectors, setting the folder path to match where your connector file is. Don’t forget to restart the gateway service.

For the gateway to recognize your connector, ensure your connector's code includes a TestConnection function — this is mandatory for the gateway (even though Desktop doesn’t require it).

After that, head to Power BI Service → Manage Gateways, select your gateway, and add a new data source — your custom connector should now appear. Finally, go to Settings → Datasets, find your dataset, and under Gateway Connection, map it to the configured data source.

This setup should now make the "Gateway Connections" option visible, and your report should connect through the private gateway.

I hope this could reslove your issue, if you need any further assistance, feel free to reach out.

If this post helps, then please give us Kudos and consider Accept it as a solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

Thank you. 

[neilrogers]

thanks very much that works!