ODBC: ERROR [HY000] [Microsoft] [ThriftExtension] (14) Unexpected response from server during a HTTP connection: connect() failed - How to Fix ODBC Error in Power BI When Connecting to Azure Databricks

🧠 Fixing the ODBC Error in Power BI with Azure Databricks

❗ The Error Message

ODBC: ERROR [HY000] [Microsoft] [ThriftExtension] (14) Unexpected response from server during a HTTP connection: connect() failed

This error typically indicates a connectivity issue between Power BI and the Azure Databricks server.

🔍 Common Causes

• 🔒 SSL Certificate Verification Failure: Untrusted certificates or blocked revocation list access.
• 🛡️ Firewall or Proxy Blocking: Tools like Zscaler may block outbound HTTP or certificate checks.
• ⚙️ Inactive or Underpowered Cluster: Cluster may be stopped or too small to handle requests.
• 🔧 Incorrect Connection Configuration: Misconfigured URLs, tokens, or SSL settings in the ODBC driver.

✅ Step-by-Step Fixes

🔁 1. Check Cluster Status

Ensure your Databricks cluster is: - Running and interactive. - Not too small for Power BI workloads.

🔐 2. Update SSL Settings

In your ODBC config file (`microsoft.sparkodbc.ini`), add:

[Driver]
CheckCertRevocation=0

This disables revocation checks that may fail due to firewall restrictions.

🧾 3. Use Trusted Certificates

- Ensure your SSL certificate is valid and from a trusted Certificate Authority (CA). - Import the CA root certificate if necessary.

🌐 4. Configure Proxy Settings

- Enable Automatic Proxy Discovery in Power BI. - Temporarily disable proxy tools like Zscaler to test connectivity.

🔑 5. Use Personal Access Token

- Generate a token in Databricks under User Settings > Access Token. - Use this token as the password in Power BI.

🔗 6. Verify Connection URL

Ensure your connection string follows this format:

https://<ServerHostname>/<HTTPPath>

Double-check all values match your Databricks cluster configuration.

🧩 Final Thoughts

Fixing the ODBC error in Power BI when connecting to Azure Databricks requires a mix of technical insight and configuration awareness. By following these steps, you’ll eliminate common connectivity issues and ensure your data flows smoothly between platforms.