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Windows 11 Virus and Threat Protection Not Working [Fix]
Bugs in the OS are a common trigger for this error
9 min. read
Updated onMarch 22, 2024
updated onMarch 22, 2024
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Key notes
Many users have recently complained of Windows 11’s virus and threat protection not working. IfWindows Defender isn’t working, your PC will be vulnerable to malware.
It’s not hard to realize, why is this such a problem, and in today’s guide, we’re going to show you how to fix it.
Why is Windows Security not opening in Windows 11?
Listed below are the reasons you encounter the Windows 11 virus and threat protection not working issue:
With a basic understanding of the underlying issue, you must first identify if any of these is causing the problem and head to the relevant fix. Then, you will end up saving considerable time this way.
Nevertheless, if you have no clue what’s causing the error, execute the fixes mentioned in this article in the same sequence.
Users generally encounter the following error message when accessing or using the virus and threat protection on Windows 11:Your IT administrator has limited access to some areas of this app.
If you see this on the Windows Defender window, you have come to the right page. Go through the following sections to understand the causes and the most effective fixes for the error.
What can I do if virus and threat protection is not working?
Before we start fixing this issue, there are a couple of checks that you might want to perform:
1. Run an SFC (System File Checker) scan
The SFC (System File Checker) scan is used to identify corrupt system files and replace them with their cached copy stored on the system. Running the scan will likely solve the problem if Windows Defender is corrupted.
For a thorough scan of your system files, we recommend using athird-party toolthat specializes in finding and repairing corrupted or damaged system files.
2. Uninstall any other third-party antivirus
If you have a third-party antivirus installed on the PC, it could conflict with the functioning of the virus and threat protection.
Also, sometimes, when Windows detects a similar tool installed on the system, it disables Windows Defender to prevent the two from running into conflict. Hence, uninstalling the antivirus should be a direct approach to solving the error.
3. Use PowerShell
4. Turn on Real-time protection
After enabling real-time protection, you should be able to access virus and threat protection. For example, the toggle might be turned off either manually by you or by Windows itself if it detects a third-party antivirus.
5. Repair the Windows Security app
If a program throws errors on launch or during its functioning, repairing it could help. When you fix an app, Windows looks through its installation, identifies and replaces any problematic files, and checks its entries in the Registry.
This is a quick troubleshooting method; you don’t lose any data or configured settings.
6. Run a malware scan
In many cases, it was reported that malware or virus was causing issues in launching the virus and threat protection. However, since the Windows Defender app is not working, you must use another tool to run a scan.
Pick one of thebest third-party antivirus software for Windows 11and install it. After downloading the program, run a malware scan to find out and eliminate/quarantine any viruses present on the system.
To ensure that there is nothing trying to stop your Virus and Threat Protection from working, a malware scan is essential. For a fast and advanced malware scan, we recommendESET NOD 32.
ESET is a complete antivirus with very advanced security features that will always protect you from threats. Plus, some amazing security features let you explore anything online safely.
7. Restart Security Center service
8. Make modifications to the Registry
Certain viruses are known to create entries in the Registry that conflict with the functioning of Windows Defender. If that’s preventing you from accessing virus and threat protection, deleting the above entries will solve the problem.
If the above method doesn’t resolve the issue, you can also tryfixing the broken registry items.
9. Enable Windows Defender using Registry
After making changes to the Registry, check if the problem with Windows Defender is solved, and you can access and make changes to it.
What can I do if the fixes listed here don’t work?
First of all, that’s an improbable scenario. However, if the solutions didn’t work, a restore point was unavailable, or system restore didn’t help, amongst other things, you can alwaysreset Windows 11 to its factory settings.
When you do that, the PC returns to the initial stage. In simple words, in the same stage, you first used it in terms of settings and stored data.
Why has virus threat protection stopped?
In most cases, when you run into this error, it is because you have some corrupted system files. Therefore, we always recommend running an SFC and DISM scan to look for any system-wide corruption and repair it to resolve some difficulties, such as the Windows Security issue.
The above fixes should resolve the Windows 11 virus and threat protection not working issue and get things up and running.
Many are still wonderingwhether Windows 11 needs antivirus, and in most cases, Windows Defender will do its job perfectly. However, some users prefer using third-party software.
Let us know which fix worked for you in the comments section below.
More about the topics:Windows Defender issues
Kazim Ali Alvi
Windows Hardware Expert
Kazim has always been fond of technology, be it scrolling through the settings on his iPhone, Android device, or Windows PC. He’s specialized in hardware devices, always ready to remove a screw or two to find out the real cause of a problem.
Long-time Windows user, Kazim is ready to provide a solution for your every software & hardware error on Windows 11, Windows 10 and any previous iteration. He’s also one of our experts in Networking & Security.
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Kazim Ali Alvi
Windows Hardware Expert
Kazim is specialized in hardware devices, always ready to remove a screw or two to find out the real cause of a problem.
