This article defines the steps to troubleshoot the Data Studio configuration error and find out how to fix Google Data Studio system error, authorization and configuration error has been viral, so we are updating it to make it relevant to all the changes Google has made over the last few months on Google Data Studio.
We are also expanding the article as we noted that most errors and breaks come from the lack of best practices on how to manage and maintain a fleet of dashboards inside of a team. For weeks, we have been battling the Google Data Studio Error. We are going to explain the problem and provide the solution. If you are reading this, you are not alone, and you can go back to business as usual. The Google Data Studio community has been documenting an issue that breaks your metrics and dimensions in your report.
Ways To Diagnose The Connector Bug
- “System Error” followed by a broken card with numbers and letters.
- “Authorization Error” followed by a dashboard that looks like a disaster more cipher numerals.
- “Configuration Incomplete—Invalid Dimensions, Metrics or Filter selected.
- Inside the metrics & dimension fields, you will see “invalid, ” and the only metric or dimension you can choose is “invalid.”
- Removing the dataset defaults (name of data set) and the broken cards persist.
How To Fix The Google Data Studio Bug
The simple tweak
The first time we encounter the error, we usually just remove and reconnect the connector. It is the simplest and quickest way that does the trick.
- Go to Resource.
- Select Manage added data sources.
- Click on the action Remove.
- Add a data source.
- Select your data source.
- Click connect.
- Make sure to give it a well-labeled name easy to manage your your team.
- Click on File and Report settings.
- Select you new data source.
Note: Once again, if you follow the best practices below, this issue should not happen as all the dashboards would be configured appropriately and shared with the right authorization to the right users.
The nuclear solution
If reconnecting your dashboard to a new data source does not work, you will have to opt for the “nuclear solution.” It requires doing a hard reset of Google Data Studio and all the permissions related to your Google account.
- Go into My Account
- Click “Connected Apps & Sites.”
- Hover over “Apps connected to your account” and click “Manage Apps.”
- Search for and remove the following.
- Google Analytics
- Google Analytics Demos & Tools
- Google Data Studio
Now that you have cleared Google Data Studio permissions this reset is ready to reconnect with Google Analytics. The second part requires going into Google Drive and removing Google Data Studio permissions. Inside of Google Drive settings choose “Manage Apps, ” and you are going to disconnect it from your account. Now, the next time you log in, all you have to do is authenticate Google Analytics again and Google Drive. The cards will come back, and you are in business!
Best practices
We cannot stress out enough how vital the management part is to keep dashboards up and running, shared and accessible to your entire team at any time.
Folder and labeling structure
At Zima Media we create a master Google Drive folder for all the dashboards and connectors, we need across a department or a specific project, and trust me we generate a lot of them.
Then in each folder, we save the two files generated from the new Google Data Studio. We have one connector (C) and one dashboard (D) for a Google Data Studio report.
We label each file following these principles: . C or D based on the type of file (Connector or Dashboard). Platform or source (Google Analytics or Ads, …) . The Goal of the dashboard (performance, onboarding or revenue, …) Example: C Google Analytics Performance D Google Analytics Performance Data and dashboards have value only when shared and actively used by a large number of people. However, every team should share best practice usage and train on how to plan, build, share and manage dashboards so you avoid having to go to all the previous steps to fix a dashboard every time you open a report.
A few limitations
- Google Data Studio currently does not support Team Drive or being owned by organizations Vs. Individuals. Make sure that all your dashboards once again are all well organized into an individual master folder.
- Beta means beta. First thing first, keep in mind that Google data studio is still in beta and this is a beta product that can fail and is full of bug.
We have been using Google Data Studio at Zima Media for over two years now, and with our data background, we have been able to gain significant benefits from this free tool by building dashboards like this.
