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Fix: Windows Defender not Scanning on Windows [Full Guide]
Follow the steps below to solve the Windows Defender scan problem
8 min. read
Updated onMarch 25, 2024
updated onMarch 25, 2024
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Key notes
Running an antivirus program it’s essential for your system’s security.Windows 10andWindows 11come with a built-in antivirus, Windows Defender, that can protect your system against a variety of malware and related threats.
Microsoft’s antivirus program can perform three types of scans: quick, full, and custom.
Getting the antivirus to scan your computer is pretty simple, all you have to do is check one of the three options and wait for the scan to complete.
Unfortunately, recent user reports have revealed thatWindows Defenderwon’t do a quick scan due to an incorrect group or resource state.
Windows Defender is a solid antivirus, but sometimes Windows Defender won’t be able to perform a quick scan. This can be a problem, and speaking of Windows Defender, here are some similar issues that users reported:
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How do I fix Windows Defender not doing a quick scan?
1. Check the exclusions list
If your Windows Defender won’t scan, the problem might be your exclusions list. According to users, sometimes malware can add an entire drive to the exclusions list in order to prevent Windows from finding it.
However, you can fix the problem simply by checking your exclusions list. To do that, follow these steps:
After doing that, the problem should be completely resolved.
2. Try a third-party antivirus
If Windows Defender won’t perform a quick scan, maybe the best option is to switch to a different antivirus software.
There are many great antivirus tools on the market, and if you’re looking for antivirus software that will provide maximum protection without interfering with your system, you should consider using one.
Many antivirus programs offer better protection and lots of other useful tools such as anti-identity and data theft, VPNs, and many others which Windows Defender is lacking.
In addition to scanning your PC for harmful software, these apps will also actively remove dangerous files. Don’t hesitate to strengthen your defenses and install a third-party antivirus as soon as possible.
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3. Change the power options
According to users, if Windows Defender won’t perform a quick scan, the problem might be your power settings.
After doing that, check if the problem is resolved. This sounds like a strange solution, but several users reported that it works, so you might want to try it out.
4. Install the latest updates
In some cases, you might be able to fix this problem simply by installing the latest updates. Microsoft is working hard to fix Windows 10/11 bugs and issues, and sometimes a Windows Update might fix your problems.
By default, Windows 10 and Windows 11 automatically downloads and installs the updates, but sometimes you can miss an update. However, you can check for updates at any time manually.
If any updates are available, they will be downloaded in the background and installed as soon as you restart your PC. Once your PC restarts, check if the problem is still there.
5. Perform a System Restore
If Windows Defender won’t perform a quick scan, you might be able to solve the problem by performing a System Restore.
If you’re having problems with the System Restore, learn how to fix them with thisuseful article.
Once the restoration process is finished, check if the problem is still there.
Use a third-party system restoration tool
The Windows system restore tool will bring your OS to a previous version, meaning you will lose any data and software that you installed after the restore point was created, which is not ideal.
Therefore, we strongly encourage you to download athird-party system restoration toolthat specializes in finding problematic files and removing them, thus keeping your PC error-free.
6. Perform SFC and DISM scans
Windows Defender is a core component of Windows 10 and Windows 11, and if you can’t perform a quick scan, the issue might be file corruption. Your system files can get corrupted, and that will cause this issue to appear.
However, you might be able to fix file corruption issues by performing SFC and DISM scans. To do that, follow these steps:
Once the scan is finished, check if the problem is still there. If the issue is still present, or if you’re unable to run an SFC scan, you might have to use a DISM scan instead. To do that, follow these steps:
Once the DISM scan is finished, check if the problem is still there. If you want, you can repeat SFC scan once again and all the corrupted files should be repaired.
7. Create a new user account
According to users, sometimes your user account might be damaged, and that can cause issues with Windows Defender to appear.
To fix this problem, it’s advised to create a new user account and check if the problem appears on a new account.
After creating a new user account, switch to it and check if the problem still appears. If not, you’ll need to move your personal files to a new account and start using it instead of your old one.
8. Remove third-party antivirus
Apparently, this error message is a temporary bug that is sometimes accompanied by error code 0x8007139F. Restarting and manually updating Windows Defender should be enough to fix this issue.
If this simple action doesn’t solve the problem, make sure you are not running another antivirus program at the same time. If you do, uninstall it, and keep Windows Defender.
If you previously had a different antivirus, and you’ve recently installed Windows Defender, it’s also possible that remnants of your previous security program are still present.
Not being able to perform a quick scan in Windows Defender can be a big problem, but we hope that you managed to fix this issue using one of our solutions.
We also have a guide on what to do if youcan’t open Windows Defender Scans folder, so be sure to visit it.
If you have any recommendations or want to tell us which of the solutions above worked for you, feel free to use the comment section below.
More about the topics:Windows Defender issues
Madalina Dinita
Networking & Security Specialist
Madalina has been a Windows fan ever since she got her hands on her first Windows XP computer.
She is interested in all things technology, especially emerging technologies – AI and DNA computing in particular.
Prior to joining the WindowsReport team, she worked in the corporate world for a number of years.
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Madalina Dinita
Networking & Security Specialist
Madalina is a Windows fan since forever, especially interested in AI, emerging technologies, privacy, and security.
