How to fix Error 2399 on Windows Server 2025 / Windows 11

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Why This Error Happens

Error 2399 is typically thrown by SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) when the XML metadata engine encounters an attribute in a Data Definition Language (DDL) script or ASSL (Analysis Services Scripting Language) file that does not match the expected data type defined in the schema. This usually occurs due to a corrupted or manually edited .xmla deployment script, a mismatched Compatibility Level between the Analysis Services instance and the project file, or a failed/interrupted metadata migration during an upgrade to SQL Server 2025. In most cases, the root cause is a type mismatch (e.g., a string value passed where an integer or GUID was expected) within the cube, dimension, or data source definition.

Step-by-Step Resolution Guide

Step 1: Validate the XMLA/ASSL Script Integrity

  • Open the deployment script (.xmla or .asdatabase file) in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) or a text editor.
  • Search for the specific attribute named in the error message (e.g., <ID>, <Type>, or <DataType>) and confirm the value matches the expected schema type (string, integer, boolean, or GUID).
  • Correct any manually inserted values that do not conform to the ASSL schema definitions found in C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\160\Tools\Binn\VSShell\Common7\IDE\...\Microsoft.AnalysisServices.xsd.

Step 2: Check Compatibility Level Alignment

  • Right-click the SSAS database in SSMS, select Properties, and verify the CompatibilityLevel matches your SQL Server 2025 instance (should be 1710 or higher).
  • If deploying from Visual Studio/SSDT, open the project properties and ensure the Deployment Server Edition and Compatibility Level match the target server.
  • Redeploy the project after aligning these values to avoid legacy attribute types being pushed into a newer engine.

Step 3: Rebuild the Corrupted Object Definition

  • Navigate to the specific dimension, measure group, or data source referenced in the error stack trace.
  • In SSDT, right-click the affected object and select Delete, then recreate it manually using the GUI wizard rather than copy-pasting XML.
  • Run Process Full on the object via SSMS:
  <Process xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/analysisservices/2020/engine">
    <Object>
      <DatabaseID>YourDatabaseID</DatabaseID>
    </Object>
    <Type>ProcessFull</Type>
  </Process>
  • Confirm the Windows Event Viewer (Applications and Services Logs > SQL Server Analysis Services) no longer logs Event ID 2399 after processing.

Step 4: Restart the Analysis Services Instance

  • Open Services.msc on Windows Server 2025, locate SQL Server Analysis Services (MSSQLSERVER), and restart the service to clear any cached metadata locks.
  • Re-attempt the deployment or query that originally triggered the error.

Alternative or Verification Steps

  • Verify the fix by running SELECT * FROM $SYSTEM.DISCOVER_XML_METADATA in an MDX query window to confirm the object schema now validates without throwing type exceptions.
  • If the error persists, restore the SSAS database from a last-known-good backup (.abf file) taken prior to the SQL Server 2025 upgrade, then re-apply only the verified schema changes incrementally.