Windows Defender Not Working (Virus & Threat Protection Status Unknown Or Needs Restart)

[Xander CaGe]

 

 

As you can see, windows defender isn't working as it should be. The windows defender antivirus service isn't in services.msc so I tried to start it using cmd, but it still won't budge. I don't know what to do. Any help is appreciated.

[Sandro Linux]

I would suggest running an AntiVirus scan using a free tool such as Kaspersky's and Bitdefender's Free Antiviruses

[Kilrah]

I've seen malware that managed to break Defender to protect itself. 

[Xander CaGe]

4 hours ago, Sandro Linux said:

I would suggest running an AntiVirus scan using a free tool such as Kaspersky's and Bitdefender's Free Antiviruses

i tried using 360 but it still isn't fixed.

[Xander CaGe]

4 hours ago, Kilrah said:

I've seen malware that managed to break Defender to protect itself. 

What is the solution then?

[Sandro Linux]

4 hours ago, Kilrah said:

I've seen malware that managed to break Defender to protect itself. 

Yeah here is a video about an example of this:

 

[Kilrah]

3 minutes ago, Xander CaGe said:

What is the solution then?

You can try another antivirus but if it's really that the malware already has all the power to prevent that from installing.

 

Usually full wipe/reinstall. 

[Sandro Linux]

3 minutes ago, Xander CaGe said:

What is the solution then?

If it is a rootkit has infected one of your components you may need to replace that part or you most likely just need to reinstall Windows

[Xander CaGe]

4 hours ago, Grand Admiral Thrawn said:

@Xander CaGe Try using this and choose MAX setting. https://github.com/AndyFul/ConfigureDefender

I tried it, but it still doesn't work. As you can see, it is still disabled.

[Xander CaGe]

21 minutes ago, Sandro Linux said:

If it is a rootkit has infected one of your components you may need to replace that part or you most likely just need to reinstall Windows

Can I reinstall windows without losing all my data? I have many files and apps installed & I don't want to lose that.

[Sandro Linux]

1 minute ago, Xander CaGe said:

Can I reinstall windows without losing all my data? I have many files and apps installed & I don't want to lose that.

Back up your data using something like backblaze

[Xander CaGe]

11 hours ago, Grand Admiral Thrawn said:

There is an option to 'Reset this PC' but it only keeps the files and uninstalls any apps and wipes settings.

After a reset the list of apps that were installed is created on the desktop so you can reinstall them without forgetting anything.

 

Could you do a sfc scan before you try a reset?

could resetting my pc fix the windows defender problem?

 

[Kilrah]

On 12/14/2020 at 7:47 AM, Xander CaGe said:

could resetting my pc fix the windows defender problem?

Depends on how persistent the malware is, or if it has infected non-Windows files.