How To Fix Windows Defender Not Opening or Crashing Issue

Last updated on February 9th, 2024 at 12:56 pm

Microsoft Defender detects malware, blocks network-based attacks, and flags phishing websites. Aside from content filtering, usage limits, location tracking, and PC health reports, it also provides parental controls with content filtering. Unlike most other antivirus programs, it does not waste time detecting things that aren’t actually threats.

Although you do not need any other antivirus software, many users are still looking for other alternatives because, after the recent Windows patch update, the Windows Defender faces issues in Windows 10/11 PCs. However, fortunately, we have some fixes for you that will help you fix Windows Defender not opening or crashing issues.

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How To Fix Windows Defender Not Opening or Crashing Issue

There are some troubleshooting fixes that you can use to resolve the Windows Defender not opening or crashing issue on your Windows 10/11 PC. Thus, if you are searching for such a guide, then your search is not over. Therefore, let’s get started with the fixes:

Fix 1: Restart Your Device

Initially, I suggest rebooting your device as the right option to get rid of this type of error. However, there are many cases where we noticed that when the users reboot their device, the system apps like Windows Defender start working or functioning properly again.

Thus, it is highly recommended to restart your device once before trying anything to fix the Windows Defender not opening or crashing issue on your Windows 10/11 PC.

So, try this and check if it helps. Meanwhile, if you still face the same error even after performing a reboot, then try the other fixes.

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Fix 2: Disable Any Other Third-Party Antivirus

Are you using any other third-party antivirus application on your Windows 10/11 PC? Well, we have already told you many times that since Windows 10, installing a third-party antivirus hasn’t been required to protect your device from malware attacks because Windows Defender is enough to do so.

But, if you still use any, then this could be a potential reason why you are getting this kind of issue. So, in my opinion, disabling any other third-party antivirus will be the right option to resolve the Windows Defender crash issue on Windows 10/11 PC.

Fix 3: Modify Local Group Policy Editor

The defender will not work if you use the group policy editor to disable it. However, if you previously disabled the Windows Defender, it won’t work until you enable it by using the group policy. So, in case you want to know how to enable it from the policy editor, then let’s check out the steps:

Press Win+R, type gpedit.msc, and click OK.
On the left panel, click on the Computer Configuration link.
In the Administrative template, click Windows Components> Microsoft Defender Antivirus.
On the right panel of Windows Defender, click Turn off Microsoft Defender Antivirus (whichever shows).
From the bottom right corner of the next pop-up, select Disable from the left side. Alternatively, you can choose the option not configured if you don’t have any third-party antivirus software installed.

Fix 4: Modify the Registry

When you make changes to the registry, back it up; chances are there that you may make some errors in the registry, the OS can be damaged, and the computer cannot function.

Initially, press the Windows Key and search for Registry Editor. Changes can be made to the device if you allow the app.
Go to the Registry Editor and enter Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender.
In the right panel, locate the file DisableAntispyware.
Select a new D-word (32-bit) value from the menu if the file isn’t there.
Then, right-click on the new file and select modify. Name the value disableantispyware and enter zero as its value.
Now, move on to the next step if the defender does not work. Meanwhile, if you find that the Virus & Threat protection option in Windows Security doesn’t appear, you must go to the following: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Policy Manager.
To create the D-word 32 Bit value, right-click on Policy Manager and select Create new D-word 32 Bit value.
Right-click the newly created file and modify it. Modify the value data to 1 and set the name as AllowUserUIAccess.

Fix 5: Check For Windows Update

You have to ensure that your Windows computer’s operating system is up to date. Generally, the latest version of OS contains minor fixes like bugs and glitches, including performance improvement.

But, we always ignore the minor updates in our device, and that’s the catch which the Windows Defender Not Opening or Crashing. Therefore, you must have to check for Windows updates. However, in case you don’t know the exact method to check for Windows updates, make sure to perform these steps:

Initially, open the Windows Settings by pressing Win+I altogether.
Thereafter, tap on Windows Update.
Finally, hit the Check For Updates button.

Fix 6: Run SFC/ DISM Scan

For any system files/window images that need to be repaired, we recommend performing a DISM restore and a system file checker. You can fix the Windows Defender not opening or crashing issue by running the following command if the not opening or crashing is caused by corrupted files or images.

Open the CMD using run as administrator.
Now, execute the command: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /Scanhealth
Afterward, the previous commands execute successfully; execute this command: SFC /scannow

That’s it. Now, you can try to open the Windows Defender on your Windows 11 PC to check whether or not the not opening or crashing issue gets resolved or not.

Fix 7: Reset The Windows Apps Package

The commands listed below are quite technical, but in essence, they revert the user profile back to its original settings after listing the appx packages. An application package is a file that contains metadata, files, and credentials used to install an application in Windows.

However, in order to fix the Windows Defender not opening or crashing issue, it will be resolved if you reset the Windows Apps Package. So, to do so, you have to perform these steps:

Open the CMD using admin rights and execute the command: Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.SecHealthUI -AllUsers | Reset-AppxPackage

Once the above command is executed, make sure to use these commands: Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}

If you receive a red-colored error when you run these commands, ignore it and let the process run its course.

Fix 8: Perform Clean Boot

The Windows Defender program might not function due to conflicts with some apps or services. We can perform a clean boot by disabling all unrequired apps and services from the PC. Disabling the apps or services that are causing the problem may resolve the problem with the defender.

Open Run, type msconfig, and press OK.
When the system configuration window appears, select the General tab and select Selective Startup.
In the subsection of the selective startup, check the box for Load startup items.
Tap on the services tab and click hide all Microsoft services in the bottom left corner.
On the right, select Disable All. Select restart from the options provided.
You will now need to open the task manager in the startup section.
Ensure that all apps are disabled.
Make sure the device is restarted and that the defender is working.

Fix 9: Perform MRT Scan

Many of you may not know that Microsoft has developed this malware-scanning tool. It is capable of detecting malware on a device and removing it. Using this tool will be extremely helpful if the defender issue is caused by malware. So, if you don’t know how to use MRT, then here are the steps:

Open the Start and search for MRT.
In the pop-up box that opens, you will be asked if you want to change the device. Select yes.
Select the next button and choose the full scan option in MRT. Please wait for the process to complete and recheck the defender afterward.

Fix 10: Reset Windows Security

If you still find that the Windows Defender is not opening or crashing on your Windows 10/11 PC, then you must try resetting your Windows Security app on your PC.

However, this will surely help you resolve the error as previously it helped many users to fix the Windows Defender not opening or crashing issue on Windows 11 PCs. So, you must try the steps given below:

Search for Windows Security with the Windows Search option.
To change the app settings, right-click on the app.
You can try both the Repair and Reset options in the Reset section.

Fix 11: Reset PC

Unfortunately, you may still face this kind of error in the worst situation. But there is nothing to worry about as there is still an option that you can use to resolve the Windows Defender not opening or crashing on a Windows 11 PC.

You must try resetting your PC and check if it works. However, in case you don’t know how to reset your PC, you must use these steps:

Select Start and go to Settings.
Afterward, hit the system, followed by Recovery.
Then, hit the Reset PC option located next to Reset This PC.

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So, that’s all we have for you on how to fix the Windows Defender Not Opening or Crashing issue. It’s our hope that this guide has helped you. In case you still have any doubts, feel free to comment below and let us know.

How To Fix Windows Defender Not Opening or Crashing Issue