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How to Fix Windows Defender Not Working in Windows 10/7

Windows

Last Updated on May 12, 2021 by Rick Darlinton

We are relying more and more on our digital devices such as PC to complete routine activities. However, it has made our data vulnerable to outside threats like malware. It is why the best strategy to tackle such dangers is enabling anti-virus software on the system. Windows Defender is a default component of Windows 8 and Windows 10, which stops malware from reaching the computer. Nevertheless, some users have found some issues trying to run the utility. Here, we will share the top 8 techniques to fix the Windows Defender not working error.

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1: Keep your Windows Updated

If you do not update your operating system frequently, then it could cause the Windows Defender not working problem. Each update brings a new set of security updates to keep up with the latest malware and to protect the device from them. If you do not install the new features, it could make the PC vulnerable or cause the default Windows Defender anti-virus to stop working.

  1. Click Start and press the Settings
  2. Under the Settings menu, click on Update & Security.
  3. Select the Windows Update option and hit Download.
  4. Once the download is complete, reboot the PC to install the new updates.

2: Check if the Security Center Service is Automatic

The Services utility on Windows lets you know the status and description of the application on the system. From there, you can also reset the apps and even change their Startup Settings. If the Windows 10 Defender not working problem still persists on your computer, you can reset the Windows Security Center. Moreover, you can change the Startup option to Automatic or enable the application.

  1. Under the Windows Search Bar, enter the msc command to launch Services.
  2. You will find a list of utilities in the Services Find Security Center.
  3. Right-click on the option and hit Restart.
  4. Moreover, double-click on Security Center and select the Startup Type tab before picking the Automatic
  5. Reboot the PC to enable the changes. That’s it!

3: Uninstall any Third-Party Anti-Virus Software

The Windows Defender stopped working will start to occur on your computer when you install another third-party anti-virus program on it. It is wise to run only one anti-virus utility on the PC, but if you still wish to enable Windows Defender, then follow the steps below to enable the app.

  1. Enter Windows Security on the Search Bar.
  2. Click on the Virus & Threat Protection
  3. Again under the Virus & Threat Protection Settings option, click on Manage Settings.
  4. Toggle on the Real-Time Protection button to enable Windows Defender.

4: Check Windows Registry

Much like any framework, Windows stores all the low-level settings of the computer on a Registry. There is a chance that Windows Defender’s AntiSpyware Key isn’t registered on the said utility. If that is the case, you can create the key by accessing the Windows Registry Editor.

  1. At the same time, press the Windows+R key from the system’s keyboard.
  2. Type regedit and click on OK to launch the Registry Editor.
  3. On the left side, click on the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
  4. From the drop-down menu, click on Software>Policies>Microsoft>Windows Defender.
  5. Click on Disable AntiSpyware on the main window and enter 0 under the Value Data
  6. Hit OK to enable Windows Defender on your PC.

5: Run the SFC Scan to Check Errors

The SFC or System File Checker, as the name suggests, scans the entire Windows OS to find potential errors or corrupted files, which are preventing Windows Defender from opening. Moreover, the command assists in repairing the files. You can run the scan using the default Command Prompt utility on all Windows versions, including Windows 7.

  1. Enter CMD on the Search Bar, next to the Start Button, and Run as Administrator.
  2. Enter the following command to check errors on the system: sfc /scannow
  3. Once errors are found, again enter a command to repair them: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  4. Close CMD and reboot the PC to check if the default anti-virus is working or not.

6: Change the Proxy Server Settings

Though Proxy Servers enable you to bypass geo-restrictions to access specific sites on the internet, it could cause Windows Defender to malfunction. However, there is no need to completely disable the Proxy Server to make the anti-virus up and running again. You only have to adjust the settings to fix the Windows Defender not working error.

  1. Run Command Prompt as
  2. Type the following command and hit Enter to enable the settings: NETSH WINHTTP SET PROXY MYPROXY.NET:8080
  3. Lastly, restart the system and launch Windows Defender upon startup to see the success of this method.

7: Check Time & Date

The default Windows applications such as the Defender won’t work if you haven’t set the right time zone on the system.

  1. Right-click on the Time right next to the taskbar and select Adjust Date/Time.
  2. Toggle on the Set Time Automatically and Set Time Zone Automatically
  3. Reboot the Windows PC to put the changes into effect.

8: Restart Your Computer

The final solution to fix the Windows Defender stopped working problem is the simplest of the lost. You only have to restart the system before doing anything, which will enable the Real-Time Protection on the computer.

Bottom Line

The recent Windows update has made the Windows Defender more potent against potential malware and spyware. The 8 solutions stated above are sure to fix the Windows Defender not working problem whenever it occurs on your computer. All the techniques are simple to implement and ensure that your PC does not remain without anti-virus protection for too long