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Power BI Refresh Error:
DF-Synapse-DBNotExist

What does this error mean?

The database in the Synapse Analytics linked service does not exist, or the SQL pool has been paused, deleted, or renamed.

Common causes

  • 1The database name in the linked service or dataset is misspelled — Synapse database names are case-sensitive
  • 2The Synapse dedicated SQL pool was paused to save costs and is no longer accepting connections
  • 3The dedicated SQL pool was deleted and recreated with a different name, but the linked service was not updated
  • 4The linked service points to the serverless endpoint but the database name refers to a dedicated pool that does not exist under that endpoint

How to fix it

  1. 1Open the Synapse Analytics linked service in ADF Studio and check the Database name field.
  2. 2In the Azure portal, go to Synapse workspace and open Synapse Studio — under the Data hub, verify the exact name of the dedicated SQL pool.
  3. 3If the pool is paused, resume it: Azure portal > Synapse workspace > SQL pools > select pool > Resume. Wait 2-5 minutes for it to come online.
  4. 4Verify the linked service server endpoint matches the pool type: use <workspace>.sql.azuresynapse.net for dedicated pools, not the serverless endpoint.
  5. 5Test connection the linked service after correcting the database name or resuming the pool.
  6. 6If the pool was deleted, recreate it or update all linked services and datasets pointing to the old name.

Frequently asked questions

Why would the database suddenly not exist if it was working before?

The most common cause is that the Synapse dedicated SQL pool was auto-paused or manually paused. Resume the pool in the Azure portal and the pipeline will succeed.

How do I tell if the pool is paused vs deleted?

In the Azure portal, go to Synapse workspace > SQL pools. A paused pool shows a 'Paused' status badge and has a Resume button. A deleted pool no longer appears in the list.

Is the database name case-sensitive in Synapse?

Yes — Synapse dedicated SQL pool database names are case-sensitive at the connection level. 'SalesDB' and 'salesdb' are treated as different databases. Copy the exact name from Synapse Studio to avoid mismatch.

Will downstream Power BI datasets be affected?

Yes — if the Synapse pool is unreachable, no data is written and dependent datasets serve stale figures.

Official documentation: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/data-factory/data-flow-troubleshoot-guide

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