The importance of the internet in our lives can’t be stressed enough. And, something that keeps us safe from the dangers of the internet is Antivirus software. It keeps our online activities safe and free from any malicious threats. But, what if, like many users you bump into Windows Firewall error 0x6D9?
A Little About Windows 10 Firewall Error Code 0x6d9
Many Windows users have encountered this error in various instances, some of which are mentioned below –
- Users have encountered the error while installing other security software.
- Windows Firewall crashing for no apparent reason and returning the error code 0x6D9.
- While running Windows Defender, some users were unable to access the internet.
Whether you are a Windows 10 or Windows 11 if you face this issue, here are some ways you can resolve the issue
7 Ways To Resolve Error Code 0x6d9 In Windows 11/10
1. Restart Windows Security
Sometimes just a simple restart can help fix the issue. So, first before heading to any advanced steps restart the Windows Security service. Here are the steps for the same
- In the search bar, search for Windows Security.
- Click on Open.
- Click on Restart now button under Virus & threat protection.
2. Reset The Settings for Windows Firewall
Another workaround that seems to have worked out for many users is to reset Windows Firewall. For this, we have mentioned the Command Prompt commands as well
- In the Windows search bar, type cmd and click on Run as administrator from the right-hand side.
- When the Command Prompt opens, type the following in succession separated by Enter.
netsh advfirewall reset
net start mpsdrv
net start mpssvc
net start bfe
regsvr32 firewallapi.dll
3. Perform a System Restore
First, uninstall the security software completely. By that we mean, completely uninstalling the software without leaving any remnants. Once you have done that, a System Restore can do the trick. You can revert your PC to a point where everything was running fine.
You will only be able to run a System Restore if you have created a restore point. Here is how you can perform a System Restore on Windows 10/ 11
4. Scan System Files
Corrupt system files can also be the culprit behind Windows Firewall error 0x6d9. Here is how you can scan and repair corrupt System Files with the help of Command Prompt –
- In the Windows search bar, type cmd and click on Run as administrator from the right-hand side.
- When the Command Prompt window opens, type sfc /scannow and press Enter
After the scan completes, check if you have been able to fix the issue.
5. Check Required Services
The Windows Firewall error code 0x6d9 may occur if services related to Windows Firewall are not running as they should. Here are the steps to rectify this issue.
- Press Windows + R to initiate the Run command.
- In the dialog box enter services.msc and press Enter
- When the “Services” window opens, scroll down and locate Windows Defender Firewall and double-click on it.
- Choose the Startup Type as Automatic
Also, check the same for Network Store Interface Service, and Base Filtering Engine (BFE)
6. Use Alternate Virus Protection
If possible, disable your existing Windows Security for a while and try running a virus scan using alternative antivirus software. T9 Antivirus, for instance, is one of the best antimalware tools for Windows. It offers real-time protection against malicious threats. Its database of malware definitions is frequently updated, therefore, even the newest virus on the block cannot dodge T9 Antivirus.
Some of the notable features of this Antivirus tool are –
- Real-time protection against threats.
- Exploit protection against zero-day threats.
- Comprehensive scanning modes.
- Ability to schedule malware scans.
- Web and Firewall protection.
To know more about T9 Antivirus and how it works, you can check out our review of this Antivirus software.
7. Close Conflicting Program
Sometimes runtime errors like the one in question can occur when, for instance, you have installed an application that is interfering with the functionality of your PC. The best here is to uninstall the application.
Before that, you can start Windows in Safe Mode with a limited set of files and drivers and then check if you can run Windows Security service properly. If yes, this would imply that some program that you have recently installed is the culprit. You can head back to the normal mode and then uninstall or close the program. Here are the steps to “End Task” any programs running in the background.
- Press ctrl + shift + esc and open the Task Manager.
- Select the program which is creating issues.
- Click on the End Task as shown in the screenshot below.
Wrapping Up
We hope that your Windows Firewall is working fine now and that you have stopped receiving error code 0x6d9. If yes, do let us know which of the above solutions worked out for you in the comments section below. For more such content, keep reading WeTheGeek. You can also find us on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, Flipboard, Instagram, and Twitter.