Troubleshooting Slow Performance in Power BI: A Personal Experience

As a professional navigating the complexities of data analysis, I recently encountered a frustrating issue that has sparked numerous questions regarding performance. While working on Power BI, I found myself struggling with exceptionally slow load times, even for relatively small data sets. With my boss expressing concern that my internet speed or computer might be the bottleneck, I decided to delve deeper into the root of the delays.

During a recent Teams call, I shared my screen with my boss to demonstrate just how long it took me to create and load my data sets. After observing the lag, he suggested that my internet connection could be the problem. To address this, I ran a speed test and was pleased to see results indicating a robust connection: 361 Mbps upload, 296 Mbps download, and a latency of only 8 ms. With those metrics in hand, he acknowledged that the internet was not likely the issue.

Next, we examined the specifications of my computer to rule out performance factors. Despite the technology being well-equipped for handling my tasks, the sluggishness persisted. This challenge remained constant, whether I was working remotely or on-site, and was particularly puzzling given that the data files I was dealing with were only around 6 MB in size.

Despite my attempts to clarify the situation, my boss kept reiterating that “no one else has these issues” and suggested that the problem must stem from my internet or machine. However, the laptop I was using had been specifically provided for this project, and my home internet service is fiber-optic, which typically ensures high-speed connectivity.

I found myself at a crossroads, feeling frustrated and uncertain about the next steps. If anyone has encountered similar challenges or has insights into possible solutions, I would greatly appreciate your guidance. It’s clear that resolving performance issues in a professional setting can be tricky, and any advice on optimizing Power BI or investigating other potential problems would be immensely helpful. Thank you in advance for your support!