SSRS Permissions Issue: User Unable to View Reports despite Browser Role

Swa1209 90 Reputation points
2025-04-28T08:26:50.4333333+00:00

Hello,

I’m facing an issue with SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS). I have a user who is assigned to the “Browser” role on the folder, but despite this, the user is unable to view the reports.

The user receives the error:

User's image

Does anyone have suggestions on how to resolve this, or am I missing something in the configuration?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

SQL Server Reporting Services
SQL Server Reporting Services

A SQL Server technology that supports the creation, management, and delivery of both traditional, paper-oriented reports and interactive, web-based reports.

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  1. Rukshan edirisinghe 2,365 Reputation points
    2026-10-20T04:45:01.19+00:00

    Hi @Swa1209

    Thanks for including the screenshot. "Could not load folder contents" usually means the user has Browser on the subfolder but not on the Home folder. The web portal opens Home first, the user isn't allowed to see it, and the error appears before they reach the folder they do have access to.

    1. Give the user a direct link to their folder (for example https://<server>/Reports/browse/<FolderName>). If the reports open from there, permissions on the folder itself are fine and Home is the only gap.
    2. Or grant Browser on Home. In the web portal, open Home > Manage folder > Security and add the user (or their group) with the Browser role.
    3. If other folders under Home shouldn't be visible to them, open each of those folders' Security page, select Customize security, and leave the user out. That breaks inheritance only where you need it.
    4. Check site-level access. Under Settings (gear) > Site settings > Security, add the user or group with System User. Microsoft's setup guidance is to give each user a system-level role as well as item roles.
    5. Ask the user to sign out and back in after the changes, especially if you granted access through a group.

    Does the direct link to the folder work for the user?

    If this got the user into the reports, please consider accepting it as the answer. If they still see the error after these changes, let me know and I'll be happy to keep helping.

    Reference:

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