Windows Security App not Working? Here’s the Fix! (Windows 11/10)

Cybercriminal acts and malicious threats are rising at an alarming rate! As we all tend to be a part of this digital ecosystem, protecting our online privacy is quite essential. Hackers use a variety of deceitful tricks and techniques to gain unauthorized access to our devices and attack our sensitive data.

So, yes, digital security is one of the most worrisome subjects in today’s era! Don’t you agree? To stay vigilant, we always need to be one step ahead of hackers’ vicious schemes. And to do so, it becomes utterly important to rely on a professional anti-malware or antivirus software that safeguards your data and protects your device from being infected.

Talking of the Windows platform, Microsoft offers us enhanced security features that constantly monitor our device’s health and performance. Windows Security aka Windows Defender is a built-in anti-malware component that comes pre-installed with each Windows version. It is a comprehensive security tool that offers real-time protection against viruses, malware, and other cyber threats. So, rather than downloading and installing a third-party antivirus tool on your computer, you can simply count on the Windows Defender app.

But what if the Windows Defender app stops working? Yes, it is surely a matter of concern. Don’t worry! In this post, we have listed a few workarounds that you can use to resolve the “Windows Security app not working” issue.

Let’s get started.

Also read: 5 Solutions to Fix the “Windows Defender Failed to Initialize” Issue

How To Fix Windows Security App not Working Issue

Solution 1: Repair the Windows Defender App

Tap on the Windows icon placed on the Taskbar, and select “Settings”. Switch to the “Apps” section from the left menu pane. Tap on “Apps and Features”.

Scroll through the list of installed applications to look for the “Windows Security” app. Once you find it, tap on the three-dot icon placed next to it and select “Advanced Options”.

Hit on the “Repair” button so that Windows can get to work and resolve the underlying issues.

Solution 2: Restart the Security Center Service

Here comes another handy method to quickly get the Windows Defender app up and running again within no time. Follow these quick steps:

Press the Windows + R key combination to open the Run dialog box. Type “Services.msc” in the textbox and press Enter.

The Services window will now appear on the screen. Scroll through the list of services to look for “Security Center”. Right-click on it and select “Restart”.

Also read: How to Fix Windows Defender Won’t Update

Solution 3: Run the SFC Scan

System File Checker is a built-in utility on Windows that scans and fixes corrupt system files and misconfigured settings. The SFC (System File Checker) tool replaces the corrupt system files with a cached copy that is stored in the OS. To use the SFC command on Windows 11, here’s what you need to do:

Tap on the search icon placed on the Taskbar, type “Command Prompt” and then select the “Run as Administrator” button to launch the app in admin mode.

In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and hit Enter to execute it:

sfc/scannow

Wait for a few moments until the scanning process is completed. Reboot your machine when the SFC command is executed.

Also read: Windows Defender Causing Appleidav.exe Error? Here’s the Fix!

Solution 4: Uninstall Third-Party Antivirus Tools

Is your Windows PC installed with third-party antivirus software? Well, there may be some rare circumstances where a third-party tool might interfere with Windows Defender’s functioning. Hence, we would recommend you temporarily uninstall the third-party security tool installed on your system and check if it fixes the issue.

Solution 5: Update Windows

Are you operating an outdated version of Windows? If yes then you probably may encounter a few errors, bugs, or glitches during the run. Microsoft keeps releasing new Windows updates now and then that comes loaded with performance improvements and bug fixes. If the Windows Defender app fails to open on your device, you can try updating the Windows OS.

Launch the Settings app, and select the “Windows Update” option from the left menu pane.

Tap on the “Check for Updates” button.

If any update is available for your device, upgrade your Windows PC to the latest Windows version. Relaunch the Windows Defender app and check if the issue persists.

Also read: How to Fix Windows Defender Error 577

Conclusion

Here were a few simple resolutions to fix the “Windows Defender not working” issue. Since the last two years of the pandemic, we have witnessed a rapid shift of remote working and hybrid offices. Amidst this phase, especially, protecting our data and enhancing our digital security becomes a must.

Hence, never leave your Windows PC unexposed to put your safety at risk. Make sure you use any of these above-listed solutions to get the Windows Security app up and running again within no time.

Do let us know which method did the trick for you. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section. Follow us on social media – Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.