Dataflows always fail to refresh due to "internal error"

[albersd]

DataFlows recently stopped functioning for my account. I had a DataFlow that worked well for probably 6 months, but then suddenly stopped refreshing. Now I'm receiving errors for ever the simplest data flow that doesn't connect to anything - even just a basic table definition. The reports are all in the form something like:

Error: Internal error Request ID: 035178ad-d9b4-d219-f3b2-d8f4465360e0 Activity ID: 3b936db8-64ec-4bb1-9389-ff95667770c0
 
I've tried different data sources, with and without Gateways, etc., but I always get the same result.

I found some other users with similar problems that needed to be handled individually based on the account. Is there a chance this is my problem as well, or are there any other recommendations?

Thanks!

[cignum]

Experienced the issue all of a sudden after weeks of successfully completed scheduled refreshesand on-demand refreshes.
In my case, the cause was hidden in the settings / credentials.
Was difficult to spot because the "Data source credentials" section inside settings takes some time to enable.

[GilbertQ]

Hi there

I had a similar issue, do you have Multi-Factor Authentication enabled on your account?

[slindsay]

Hey @GilbertQ! I am having a similar issue (dataflow was functioning properly for months and then just started failing) and we don't use MFA. I have a bunch of other dataflows built in the exact same manner that aren't failing...so confusing! Is there a workaround you came across (other than using PBI desktop)?

[sjs210]

I've had similar problems where a dataflow suddenly started failing after working perfectly for months.  It often was a case where the something in the source data had changed (even when a field was added) and it required opening up the dataflow query and re-saving.  Unless it was re-opened, it wouldn't automatically 'find' the field for some reason (unlike in the desktop query).

[albersd]

Thanks for responding @GilbertQ! Yes, I do have Multi-Factor Authentication enabled for my Microsoft account. 

Based on your feedback I did a bit more searching and found the following article that cites MFA as the issue and gives short term and long term solutions:

why-is-my-powerbi-dataflow-refresh-failing

It appears that MFA is causing issues with Data Flows for many. I won't be able to move to a non-MFA account for what I'm doing (the short term solution), but I may able able to convert my solution in PBI desktop and upload that dataset to the service. I will try that next, but would appreciate any other solutions that are known to work in the short term.

Thanks again!

[GilbertQ · Accepted solution]

Hi there

I too had this issue that is why I published the blog post you put above.

That was the proposed short term solution from the Power BI team. They are working on a fix, which will hopefully be resolved soon.

The only other option for now, is to do it in Power BI desktop.