Windows Defender went off & won't turn on (8.1)

Lazlolaw

New Member
Messages
1
Hi,

Running Windows 8.1 on Dell XPS bot last fall. Have been running Windows Firewall and Window Defender from the beginning.

Last week, "Solve PC Issues" notifications on bottom bar indicated Windows Defender turned off. Clicked the "Turn On Now" button. Got following pop-up message:
An error has occurred in the program during
initialization. If this problem continues please
contact your administrator. Error code 0x80073b01


Went to control panel > system and security > action center. Same message in notifications. Clicked "Turn on Now" from there - same result. Also tried to turn on as administrator (I am the moron administrator). Same result.

I never ran another anti virus program on this computer. None are listed among programs for deletion (maybe one came with, but I don't see it and never activated it). I did not ever turn off Defender. I do have the Spybot free program installed, but that has been on since beginning of February with no problems, and I think it only runs manually when I do a scan (it is more anti-malware I think, not full always running anti-virus).

Suggestions? Help? (Please). Thanks, Lazlo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    dell xps
    Memory
    16
As far as I have checked the error could be an infection.
Have you tried a third av program or any anti-malware programs?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom build
    CPU
    i5-6500 @3.20GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte B150-HD3P-CF
    Memory
    16GB DDR4 2133 Crucial Ballistix Sport LT
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 GAMING X 6G
    Sound Card
    Built-in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Liyama ProLite XB2483HSU-B2
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX200 500GB & Toshiba DT01ACA300 3TB
    PSU
    Corsair RM550x
    Case
    Fractal Design Define S
    Cooling
    Cooler Master TX3 i
    Keyboard
    Func KB-460 (MX Red)
    Mouse
    Corsair Gaming M65 RGB
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Total Security 2017 + MBAM Pro + MBAE Pro
    Other Info
    Creative Sound Blaster Tactic3D Rage V2 headset
The Error code means ERROR_MUI_FILE_NOT_LOADED

Windows key + X, select Command Prompt (Admin) and type sfc /scannow

When completed type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Then rerun the sfc command again, reboot and see if Defender is working.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 Update 1 Pro 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pavillion H8-1202
    CPU
    I7-2600 @ 3.4 GHz
    Motherboard
    PEGATRON
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NIVDIA GeForce GT 520
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC656GR CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster S22B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080 32 bit color
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 EVO SSD 500GB
    Keyboard
    Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2013
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
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