'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Fix Power BI On-Premises Gateway Data Source Connection Errors
Question details
The user is unable to establish a successful data source connection through their Power BI on-premises data gateway, despite the gateway itself showing as online.
- Product
- Power BI
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Connecting on-premises databases to the Power BI cloud service using the on-premises data gateway.
- Observed behavior
- The data gateway appears online in the Power BI portal, but individual data source connections fail. Related error logs are recorded in the Windows Event Viewer.
Ensure you have administrative access to the Windows server hosting the Power BI data gateway and the necessary permissions to read Windows Event Viewer logs.
Diagnose the Error using Windows Event Viewer
Identify the exact cause of the connection failure by reviewing the detailed error logs generated by the gateway service.
Because the gateway is online, the issue is likely localized to the specific data source credentials, network firewall rules blocking the database port, or driver configurations. The Windows Event Viewer provides specific error codes required to diagnose this.
Press the Windows key + R, type 'eventvwr.msc' into the Run dialog box, and press Enter to launch the Event Viewer.
In the left-hand pane, expand 'Applications and Services Logs' and click on 'On-premises data gateway service'.
Filter or scroll through the logs to find 'Error' or 'Warning' events that match the exact timestamp of your data source connection failure.
Click on the error event to read the description. Note any specific error codes or messages (e.g., login failed, server not found) and cross-reference them with Microsoft's official gateway troubleshooting documentation.
Consult the Microsoft Power BI Community
If the Event Viewer logs do not clearly indicate how to resolve the issue, seeking specialist assistance on the official community forums is the best next step.
Looking for a Lightweight, Free Office Alternative?
While resolving Power BI gateway configurations requires Microsoft support, managing your exported data and daily reports shouldn't be complicated. WPS Office provides a free, highly compatible suite to handle all your spreadsheets, documents, and presentations with ease.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded file and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the quick installation.
- 3. Analyze Your Data: Open your exported CSV or Excel data files directly in WPS Spreadsheet to begin formatting and analyzing your reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Power BI gateway show as online but the data source connection fails?
This indicates that the gateway service is successfully running and communicating with the Power BI cloud service, but it cannot reach or authenticate with the specific on-premises database. This is typically caused by incorrect database credentials, changed passwords, or local firewall rules blocking the specific database port.
Where can I find the On-premises data gateway logs?
The logs can be found in the Windows Event Viewer by navigating to 'Applications and Services Logs' > 'On-premises data gateway service'. Alternatively, you can open the local gateway app, go to the 'Diagnostics' tab, and click the 'Export logs' button to save them to a zip file.
Can I use WPS Spreadsheet to view data exported from Power BI?
Yes. When you export underlying or summarized data from a Power BI visual, it usually saves as a .csv or .xlsx file. WPS Spreadsheet is fully compatible with these formats, allowing you to easily open, filter, and analyze the exported data.
