SQL Server Reporting Service Failed to Initialize the Report Server [HTTP 500 Network Error]

Question

Hi, I'm running into an issue while trying to launch the SQL Server Reporting Service (SSRS) from my local machine. The error highlights it is unable to open the source file App_global.asax.pddxk8z6.0.cs from the c:\\Program Files\\Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services\\SSRS\\reportserver\\RSTempFiles\\reporting\\0de1224a\\5ba1101c\\App_global.asax.pddxk8z6.0.cs.

https://i.stack.imgur.com/pJYLb.png

Here's the full stack trace:

Failed to initialize the AppDomain:ReportServer_SSRS_0

Exception: System.Web.HttpCompileException

Message: (0): error CS1504: Source file 'c:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services\SSRS\reportserver\RSTempFiles\reporting\0de1224a\5ba1101c\App_global.asax.pddxk8z6.0.cs' could not be opened ('Unspecified error ')

StackTrace: at System.Web.Compilation.AssemblyBuilder.Compile() at System.Web.Compilation.BuildProvidersCompiler.PerformBuild() at System.Web.Compilation.ApplicationBuildProvider.GetGlobalAsaxBuildResult(Boolean isPrecompiledApp) at System.Web.Compilation.BuildManager.CompileGlobalAsax() at System.Web.Compilation.BuildManager.EnsureTopLevelFilesCompiled() at System.Web.Compilation.BuildManager.CallAppInitializeMethod() at System.Web.Hosting.HostingEnvironment.Initialize(ApplicationManager appManager, IApplicationHost appHost, IConfigMapPathFactory configMapPathFactory, HostingEnvironmentParameters hostingParameters, PolicyLevel policyLevel, Exception appDomainCreationException) at System.Web.Hosting.HostingEnvironment.Initialize(ApplicationManager appManager, IApplicationHost appHost, IConfigMapPathFactory configMapPathFactory, HostingEnvironmentParameters hostingParameters, PolicyLevel policyLevel) at System.Web.Hosting.HostingEnvironment.Initialize(ApplicationManager appManager, IApplicationHost appHost, IConfigMapPathFactory configMapPathFactory, HostingEnvironmentParameters hostingParameters, PolicyLevel policyLevel) at System.Web.Hosting.ApplicationManager.CreateAppDomainWithHostingEnvironment(String appId, IApplicationHost appHost, HostingEnvironmentParameters hostingParameters) at System.Web.Hosting.ApplicationManager.CreateAppDomainWithHostingEnvironmentAndReportErrors(String appId, IApplicationHost appHost, HostingEnvironmentParameters hostingParameters)

Please note that asax cs files are generated dynamically with a distinct name every single time. Hence, there's no way we can simply create a brand new source file with a similar name and expect that to work. Also, this file currently does not exist in the directory mentioned above. I've tried several approaches in an attempt to resolve this issue so far:

• Delete everything under RSTempFiles directory and restart the SSRS.

Give full admin permission to the SSRS directory in case the permissions weren't allowing the application to create the source files.

Enabled relevant .NET Framework options (.NET Framework 3.5, .NET Framework 4.8 Advanced Services -> ASP NET 4.8 and WCF Services) under 'Turn Windows features on or off'.

Checked Windows Firewall to ensure it is not blocking anything.

Repair/Reinstall .NET Framework

Please note there's no Visual Studio project involved. I saw many troubleshooting tips that were related to VS projects during my research about this issue.

Any tips are welcome at this point!