Microsoft 365 Error Codes

How to Fix Excel Sign-In Loops and Error 16000 with Power BI

Chanuka Geekiyanage Sep 25, 2026 872 views

Question details

The user is experiencing repeated account sign-in prompts and database driver operation failures (Error 16000) when attempting to refresh Power BI data connected to an Excel workbook on SharePoint.

How to Fix Excel Sign-In Loops and Error 16000 with Power BI

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Refreshing Power BI data linked to an Excel workbook stored on SharePoint.
Observed behavior: Excel repeatedly requests account selection during data refresh, often getting stuck in a loop. If cancelled, it fails with Error 16000 and displays a 'database driver operation failed' message.

Before you start

Ensure you know the exact login credentials for the primary account that has explicit permission to access both the SharePoint workbook and the linked Power BI dataset.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear Account Conflicts in Excel and Windows Settings

Resolve authentication loops by signing out of conflicting accounts in Excel and removing unwanted cached accounts from your Windows system settings.

Multiple Microsoft 365 or work/school accounts cached on a single device can cause authentication conflicts. When Excel tries to verify permissions for SharePoint and Power BI simultaneously, conflicting tokens lead to the sign-in loop and subsequent Error 16000.

Sign out of Microsoft 365 apps

Open Excel, click on your profile picture or name in the top right corner, and click 'Sign out'. Repeat this for any other Microsoft 365 applications.

Open Windows Account Settings

Press the Windows key, click on the gear icon to open Settings, and navigate to 'Accounts'.

Disconnect conflicting accounts

Select 'Access work or school' from the left sidebar. Click on any unnecessary, old, or conflicting accounts listed there and click 'Disconnect'.

Sign back in

Restart your computer. Open Excel and sign back in using exclusively the single account authorized to access the SharePoint file and Power BI data.

Clear Account Conflicts in Excel and Windows Settings

Authentication Restored: Removing conflicting cached credentials is the most effective way to eliminate Power BI authentication loops and database driver errors in Excel.

Solution 2

Reconfigure the Power BI Data Connection

If clearing accounts does not resolve the issue, the data connection inside the workbook itself may have corrupted credentials and needs to be re-established.

Solution 3

Test with a New Local Windows User Profile

Corrupted Windows user profiles can sometimes lock credential caches, causing persistent driver operation failures. Testing a new profile isolates this issue.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Seamless Spreadsheet Experience

If Microsoft 365's persistent account loops and driver errors are disrupting your workflow, consider WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for everyday spreadsheet management without the complex credential conflicts.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your device.
2. Install the application: Run the installer and follow the quick setup wizard to install WPS Office on your PC.
3. Open your files easily: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and directly open your existing Excel workbooks without complex sign-in requirements.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel formats (.xls, .xlsx, .csv)Lightweight application with zero mandatory cloud account conflictsFree to use with a familiar, intuitive tabbed user interfaceBuilt-in PDF editing tools and powerful data analysis features

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel keep asking me to sign in when refreshing Power BI data?

This usually happens when multiple Microsoft or work/school accounts are cached in Windows. Excel gets confused about which token to use when contacting SharePoint and Power BI servers, resulting in a continuous sign-in loop.

What does 'Database driver operation failed' mean in Excel?

This error occurs when the driver responsible for querying the external database (like Power BI or SQL) encounters an authentication block, token corruption, or a dropped connection during the data refresh process.

Will reinstalling Microsoft Query fix the Error 16000 driver issue?

While the error message often suggests reinstalling Microsoft Query, the root cause for Error 16000 in this context is almost always an account conflict. Fixing your Windows account settings usually resolves it without needing to reinstall any drivers.

Microsoft Office Error Codes