Fixing the “Root Element is Missing” Error
If you’ve launched Jet Data Manager and received the error message:
An error occurred while reading the settings file. Root element is missing. Do you want to make another attempt reading the settings? If you answer no, be aware the application will exit and any changes cannot be saved.
This typically means the application’s settings file, Config.XML, has become blank or corrupted.
Why This Happens
This issue usually occurs if something interrupted the creation or saving process of the Jet Data Manager settings file. When trying to sign in to your Business Central Public Cloud data source, you encounter the following message:
As a result, the file is either empty or unreadable, triggering the “Root element is missing” error on startup.
How to Resolve It
Follow these simple steps to fix the error:
Close Jet Data Manager completely if it’s open.
Open File Explorer.
In the address bar, type:
and press Enter.
Navigate to:
(Replace
{version}with your current version folder.)Locate the
**Config.XML**file.Delete or rename the file.
Restart Jet Data Manager.
When prompted, re-enter your repository settings.
Once restarted, Jet Data Manager will generate a new config file, resolving the issue.
Final Notes
This fix is quick, safe, and restores full functionality without impacting your existing projects or data. Always ensure you close Jet Data Manager before modifying system files to avoid further issues.
If the problem persists even after replacing the config file, it may indicate a deeper system or permission issue—consider reaching out to Global Data 365 support for further assistance.
