How To Fix Windows Defender Cannot Be Started On Windows 10 - Step-by-Step Guide

How To Fix Windows Defender Cannot Be Started On Windows 10

Windows Defender is a built-in antivirus software provided by Microsoft for Windows operating systems. It is designed to protect your computer against viruses, malware, and other security threats. However, sometimes users may encounter an issue where Windows Defender cannot be started on Windows 10. This can be a frustrating problem as it leaves your computer vulnerable to potential threats.

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There can be several reasons why Windows Defender cannot be started on Windows 10. It could be due to a conflict with another antivirus software installed on your computer, corrupt system files, or incorrect settings. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to fix this issue and get Windows Defender up and running again.

The first step is to check if you have any other antivirus software installed on your computer. Having multiple antivirus programs can cause conflicts and prevent Windows Defender from starting. If you do have another antivirus software, you can either uninstall it or disable it temporarily to see if it resolves the issue. Once you have done that, try starting Windows Defender again.

If disabling or uninstalling the other antivirus software doesn’t solve the problem, you can try running a system file checker scan. This scan will check for any corrupt system files and repair them if necessary. To run the system file checker scan, open the Command Prompt as an administrator and type “sfc /scannow” without the quotes. Press Enter and wait for the scan to complete. If any corrupt files are found and repaired, restart your computer and try starting Windows Defender again.

If the above steps don’t resolve the issue, you can also try resetting Windows Defender to its default settings. To do this, open the Settings app and go to Update & Security. Then, click on Windows Security and select Virus & threat protection. Under the Virus & threat protection settings, click on Manage settings. Scroll down and click on Restore settings to their default values. Restart your computer and check if Windows Defender can be started now.

If none of the above methods work, you may need to consider seeking further assistance from Microsoft support or a professional technician. They will be able to provide more advanced troubleshooting steps to help you resolve the issue and get Windows Defender working again on your Windows 10 computer.

Note: It is important to have a reliable antivirus software running on your computer to protect it from security threats. If Windows Defender cannot be started, make sure to find an alternative antivirus solution temporarily until the issue is resolved.

Why Windows Defender Cannot Be Started On Windows 10?

Windows Defender is the built-in antivirus and anti-malware solution provided by Microsoft for Windows 10. It is designed to protect your computer from various threats, including viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. However, there are instances where Windows Defender may not start properly on Windows 10. This could be due to several reasons:

Conflicting Third-Party Antivirus Software: Windows Defender may fail to start if there is another antivirus program installed on your computer that is conflicting with it. In such cases, the two antivirus programs may interfere with each other, causing issues with Windows Defender.
Corrupted or Outdated Windows Defender Files: If the files associated with Windows Defender are corrupted or outdated, it may prevent the program from starting correctly. This can happen due to various reasons, such as system errors, software glitches, or incomplete updates.
Malware Infections: Sometimes, malware infections can disable or tamper with Windows Defender, preventing it from starting. Malicious software may target Windows Defender files and processes in order to bypass detection and removal.
Group Policy Settings: Windows Defender can be disabled or restricted through Group Policy settings. If these settings are enabled, it can prevent Windows Defender from starting on your Windows 10 computer.

To fix the issue of Windows Defender not starting on Windows 10, you can try several troubleshooting steps, including:

Uninstalling Conflicting Antivirus Software: If you have another antivirus program installed, consider uninstalling it to see if that resolves the issue. Make sure to use the appropriate uninstallation utility provided by the antivirus software manufacturer.
Running Windows Defender Offline Scan: Windows Defender offers an offline scan feature that allows you to scan your computer for malware without starting Windows. This can help detect and remove any infections that may be preventing Windows Defender from starting.
Updating Windows Defender: Ensure that your Windows Defender program is up to date. You can manually update it by going to the Windows Security app and selecting the “Virus & threat protection” section, then clicking on “Check for updates”.
Scanning for Malware: Perform a full system scan with Windows Defender or use a trusted third-party antimalware software to scan for malware. If any threats are detected, take appropriate actions to remove them.
Resetting Windows Defender Settings: You can try resetting the Windows Defender settings to their default configuration. This can help resolve any conflicts or issues with the program. To do this, open the Command Prompt as an administrator and type the following command: "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MpCmdRun.exe" -ResetDefaults

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the issue of Windows Defender not starting on your Windows 10 computer. However, if the problem persists, it may be necessary to seek further assistance from Microsoft support or a professional IT technician.

Possible Causes for Windows Defender Startup Issues

1. Third-party antivirus software: One possible cause for Windows Defender startup issues is the presence of third-party antivirus software that conflicts with Windows Defender. If you have installed another antivirus program on your computer, it may be disabling or preventing Windows Defender from starting.

2. Disabled Windows Defender services: Another possible cause is that the necessary services for Windows Defender to start may be disabled. These services include “Windows Defender Antivirus Service” and “Windows Defender Firewall”. If these services are disabled, Windows Defender will not be able to start.

3. Corrupted or missing system files: Corrupted or missing system files can also prevent Windows Defender from starting. If essential system files related to Windows Defender are corrupted or missing, it may cause startup issues.

4. Malware infection: In some cases, a malware infection can disable Windows Defender and prevent it from starting. Malicious software may target Windows Defender and disable its services to prevent detection and removal.

5. Incorrect group policy settings: Group policy settings can also impact the startup of Windows Defender. If the group policy settings are misconfigured or set to disable Windows Defender, it may prevent the program from starting.

6. Windows Defender version compatibility: Occasionally, Windows Defender may fail to start if it is not compatible with the version of Windows you are using. It is important to ensure that you are using the latest version of Windows Defender that is compatible with your operating system.

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7. Other system conflicts: There may be other system conflicts or issues that are causing Windows Defender to fail to start. These can include software conflicts, driver issues, or compatibility problems with other applications or services running on your computer.

Summary of Possible Causes for Windows Defender Startup Issues

Step-by-Step Guide to Fix Windows Defender Startup Issues on Windows 10

If you are experiencing startup issues with Windows Defender on your Windows 10 computer, there are several steps you can take to resolve the problem. Follow the step-by-step guide below to fix Windows Defender startup issues on Windows 10:

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Restart Your Computer First, try restarting your computer. Oftentimes, a simple restart can resolve many software-related issues, including problems with Windows Defender.
Check for Third-Party Antivirus Software If you have third-party antivirus software installed on your computer, it may conflict with Windows Defender and prevent it from starting. Disable or uninstall any third-party antivirus software and check if Windows Defender starts up.
Run Windows Defender Troubleshooter Windows 10 includes a built-in troubleshooter for Windows Defender. To run the troubleshooter, follow these steps:
Click on the Start menu and open the Settings app.
Go to the “Update & Security” section.
Click on “Troubleshoot” in the left sidebar.
Scroll down and click on “Windows Defender Antivirus” under “Get up and running.”
Click on the “Run the troubleshooter” button.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process.
Check Windows Defender Service Windows Defender relies on a service called “Windows Defender Antivirus Service” to function properly. If the service is not running, you may encounter startup issues with Windows Defender. To check the service status, follow these steps:
Press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Type “services.msc” and press Enter.
In the Services window, locate “Windows Defender Antivirus Service.”
Right-click on the service and select “Properties.”
Make sure the “Startup type” is set to “Automatic.”
If the service is stopped, click on the “Start” button to start it.
Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.
Perform a System File Check Corrupted system files can also cause startup issues with Windows Defender. To check for and repair corrupted system files, follow these steps:
Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
Type the following command and press Enter: sfc /scannow
Wait for the scan to complete. It may take some time.
If any corrupted files are found, the system file checker will attempt to repair them automatically.
Once the scan is complete, restart your computer.
Perform a Clean Boot A clean boot allows you to start your computer with minimal startup programs and services, which can help identify and resolve conflicts that may be causing issues with Windows Defender. To perform a clean boot, follow these steps:
Press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Type “msconfig” and press Enter.
In the System Configuration window, go to the “Services” tab.
Check the box next to “Hide all Microsoft services.”
Click on “Disable all” to disable all non-Microsoft services.
Go to the “Startup” tab and click on “Open Task Manager.”
In the Task Manager, disable any startup programs by right-clicking on them and selecting “Disable.”
Close the Task Manager and go back to the System Configuration window.
Click on “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.
Restart your computer.

Hopefully, one of these steps helped resolve the startup issues with Windows Defender on your Windows 10 computer. If you continue to experience problems, you may need to consult with a professional or contact Microsoft support for further assistance.

FAQ:

What should I do if Windows Defender cannot be started on my Windows 10?

If Windows Defender cannot be started on your Windows 10, you can try several solutions to fix the issue. One of the solutions is to check if another antivirus program is conflicting with Windows Defender and remove it. You can also try to reset the Windows Security app, update Windows, or restart the Windows Security service. If these solutions do not work, you may need to perform a system scan and repair any corrupted files using the System File Checker tool or DISM tool.