In order to fix the Power BI Service automatic refresh not working issues, you must think about some of the most likely reasons and take some corrective measures:
Check Whether Data Sources and Gateways are Connected
First, check whether all the data sources are reachable and correctly set up. Often, automatic refresh fails due to a missing data source authorization or an established gateway connection that times out. If it’s an on-premises data source, then ensure that all the relevant data gateways for Power BI fulfill their purpose and are configured to the correct settings in Power BI. Try connecting to the data sources in the gateway settings to check that Power BI can reach every source.
Assess Dataset and Model Weight
There are restrictions to the dataset and frequency of refreshing in Power BI Service, especially when using shared or Pro workspaces. If this is the case, and your dataset is heavy, then you can optimize it by limiting the size in terms of the number of rows or by eliminating some columns. One more option would be aggregations, summary tables, or incremental refreshes (if you are working with a Premium capacity) to cut down on the level of depletion of storage space. In most cases, very large datasets cause refreshes to fail with timeout exceptions; hence, model optimization is critical for enhancing stability.
Modify Refresh Timetable and Degree
Refresh failures sometimes arise from the overlapping schedule where several datasets are set to refresh at the same or peak hours. Have a look at the refresh schedule and see if there are alternative timings to refresh the data in order to lessen the load on overused resources. It might be possible, for example, to schedule certain refreshes for night or early morning hours in order to avoid such clashes. On top of this, cut down the number of times refreshers are done, especially when the data does not need frequent changes, as conflict over resources is more when trips are taken more often.
Track and Analyze Error Responses
When a refresh action reaches an error state, in the case of Power BI, it usually includes an error notification. Verify the Power BI Service refresh history located on the dataset settings to see recorded error codes or alerts and also how far back data has been updated for users. These may indicate a wider problem, agility, and speed, like authentication, timeouts, or over capacity. Tackling these so-called simple errors allows for recognition mechanisms without waiting for feedback.
Utilising Alerts and Notifications in Power BI Service
Timely alerts for refresh failures can be enabled by turning on the notifications. This is useful as it helps mitigate the impact of refresh issues on end users. In addition, in case you have other solutions, such as Power BI’s REST API, set up such a solution to push notifications for refresh status to avoid any lapse in refresh health and be able to deal with possible issues effectively.
With more steps, the number of refresh failures can be reduced, and the Power BI users can have a better data experience.
