Unable to Create Linked Server for SSAS Provider MSOLAP

Recently I ran into an odd scenario. Net new SQL servers were built in Dev, QA and Prod. I had to create Linked Servers to SSAS. All of these were on SQL 2012 enterprise Sp2 + Kb2969896. All was great till I was unable to create linked server for SSAS provider MSOLAP.

The 32-bit OLE DB provider “MSOLAP” cannot be loaded in-process on a 64-bit SQL Server. (SQL Server, Error: 7438)

I had forgotten the fact that SQL server works in mysterious ways when it wants to!

The error was self explanatory. SQL was trying to use 32-bit drivers instead of 64-bit. Please note that this is a 3 phase job:

1. Unregister DLLs
2. Register DLLs in the correct order
3. Restart SQL Services

Locate the file location for msolap110.dll and then run the following on the command prompt:

Unregister DLLs

1 2 3

regsvr32 /u "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Analysis Services\AS OLEDB\110\msolap110.dll" regsvr32 /u "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Analysis Services\AS OLEDB\110\msolap110.dll"

Register DLLs in the correct order

1 2 3

regsvr32 "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Analysis Services\AS OLEDB\110\msolap110.dll" regsvr32 "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Analysis Services\AS OLEDB\110\msolap110.dll"

Once the services were up, I tested the linked server and it was successful. If you are doing in on a cluster ensure you start with the passive node(s).