Issue Power BI Report Server using SQL Server 2016

Question

Hi Experts,

what should do if found this message when setting Power BI Report Server (May 2025):

"This edition of Reporting Service requires that you use local SQL Server relational databases..."

high appreciation & grateful thanks for all valued answers

warm regards,

Urbel

Answer 1

If you encounter the message stating that "This edition of Reporting Service requires that you use local SQL Server relational databases" while setting up Power BI Report Server with SQL Server 2016, it indicates that the version of SQL Server you are using is not compatible with the requirements for Power BI Report Server as of May 2025.

To resolve this issue, you should ensure that you are using a supported version of SQL Server. The supported versions for hosting the report server databases include:

• SQL Server 2025
• SQL Server 2022
• SQL Server 2019
• SQL Server 2017
• SQL Server 2016
• SQL Server 2014

Since you are using SQL Server 2016, you should verify that it is properly configured and that you are using a local SQL Server instance. If you are not using a local instance, consider setting one up or migrating your databases to a supported version if necessary. Additionally, ensure that your SQL Server instance meets the necessary requirements for running Power BI Report Server, including the correct configuration and permissions.

If the problem persists, reviewing the configuration settings and ensuring that the SQL Server Database Engine is accessible and properly set up may help resolve the issue.