Fixes for Windows 11 Windows Defender Not Working

Windows Defender is a vital security feature in Windows 11, designed to protect your system from malware, viruses, and other threats. However, if you encounter issues with Windows Defender not working, it can leave your computer vulnerable. In this comprehensive guide windows defender not working windows 11, we will provide you with a step-by-step solution to fix Windows 11 Windows Defender not working problem in USA.

Table of Contents:

Common Symptoms of Windows Defender Not Working

Preliminary Checks

Update Windows 11

Restart Windows Defender Services

Perform a Full System Scan

Use the Windows Security Troubleshooter

Disable Third-party Antivirus Software

Check for Malware Infections

Repair Windows Defender Using Command Prompt

Reinstall Windows Defender

Restore Windows to a Previous State

Contact Microsoft Support

Conclusion

Common Symptoms of Windows Defender Not Working:
Before we dive into the solutions, let’s identify the common symptoms that indicate Windows Defender is not working:

Windows Defender icon is grayed out in the system tray.
Error messages such as “Windows Defender is turned off” or “Your PC couldn’t be scanned” appear in USA.
You can’t open Windows Security settings.
Real-time protection is disabled.
Frequent notifications about potential security risks.
Preliminary Checks:
Before you proceed with troubleshooting, ensure you’ve covered these basic checks:

Make sure your Windows 11 is genuine and activated.
Verify that the date and time settings on your computer are accurate.
Check for pending Windows updates and install them.
Update Windows 11:
Outdated Windows 11 installations can lead to compatibility issues with Windows Defender. To update Windows 11:

a. Go to Settings > Windows Update.
b. Click “Check for updates” and install any available updates in USA.
c. Restart your computer if prompted.

Restart Windows Defender Services:
Sometimes, Windows Defender services may become stuck or corrupted. Restarting these services can often resolve the issue:

a. Press Win + X and select “Windows Terminal (Admin)” or “Command Prompt (Admin)” to open an elevated Command Prompt windows defender not working windows 11.
b. Type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:

net stop WinDefend
net start WinDefend
c. Close the Command Prompt.
Perform a Full System Scan:
Running a full system scan can help detect and remove any malware that might be interfering with Windows Defender:

a. Open Windows Security.
b. Click on “Virus & threat protection.”
c. Under “Quick scan,” select “Full scan.”
d. Click “Scan now” and follow the on-screen instructions.

Use the Windows Security Troubleshooter:
Windows provides a built-in troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix issues with Windows Defender:

a. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
b. Scroll down and select “Windows Security” under “Find and fix other problems.”
c. Click “Run the troubleshooter” and follow the prompts.

Disable Third-party Antivirus Software:
If you have third-party antivirus software installed windows defender not working windows 11, it may conflict with Windows Defender. Temporarily disable or uninstall any such software to see if it resolves the issue.

Check for Malware Infections:
Malware can disable or interfere with Windows Defender. Use a reputable third-party antivirus scanner to perform a deep scan and remove any malware if detected in USA.

Repair Windows Defender Using Command Prompt:
You can try repairing Windows Defender using the built-in DISM (Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool) and SFC (System File Checker) utilities:

a. Open an elevated Command Prompt as described in step 4.
b. Type the following command and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
c. Wait for the process to complete, and then run the following command: sfc /scannow
d. Once the scan is finished, restart your computer.

Reinstall Windows Defender:
If none of the above steps resolve the issue, you can attempt to reinstall Windows Defender:

a. Press Win + X and select “Windows Terminal (Admin)” or “Command Prompt (Admin).”
b. Type the following command and press Enter: sc delete WinDefend
c. Restart your computer.
d. After restarting, Windows should automatically reinstall Windows Defender.

Restore Windows to a Previous State:
If the problem started recently windows defender not working windows 11, you can use System Restore to revert Windows to a previous state when Windows Defender was functioning correctly:
a. Search for “Create a restore point” in the Start menu and open it.
b. Click the “System Restore” button.
c. Follow the on-screen instructions to choose a restore point and restore your system in USA.

Contact Microsoft Support:
If you’ve tried all the above steps and Windows Defender still doesn’t work, it may be a more complex issue that requires assistance from Microsoft Support. Visit the Microsoft Support website or contact their customer support for further guidance windows defender not working windows 11.

Conclusion:
In this comprehensive guide, we’ve covered various solutions to fix the Windows 11 Windows Defender not working issue. By following these steps, you can enhance the security of your computer and ensure that Windows Defender functions as intended, keeping your system protected from threats in USA.