Defender won't update

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  1. Posts : 8
    Windows 10
       #1

    Defender won't update


    Defender won't update its virus definition file. It tries, and the green bar gets almost to the end then stops. After quite a while, the update fails with an error message saying that the update failed. This has been going on for a week or two! Any ideas?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,079
    10 + Linux
       #2

    I rarely pass by Defender to get virus and spyware updates. Did you try passing by Windows Update?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 8
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    MikeMecanic said:
    I rarely pass by Defender to get virus and spyware updates. Did you try passing by Windows Update?
    Yes, auto and manual (forced) updates of Defender both fail.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,079
    10 + Linux
       #4

    KenOC said:
    Yes, auto and manual (forced) updates of Defender both fail.
    Never got an issue with Defender update but got many issues a few weeks ago with Windows Update. Made a clean install and my update problems disappear.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 19,516
    W11+W11 Developer Insider + Linux
       #5

    KenOC said:
    Defender won't update its virus definition file. It tries, and the green bar gets almost to the end then stops. After quite a while, the update fails with an error message saying that the update failed. This has been going on for a week or two! Any ideas?
    Is that thru regular WU or straight from WD ?
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 16,325
    W10Prox64
       #6

    Please have a read of this post, and see if it helps you at all.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 8
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #7

    CountMike said:
    Is that thru regular WU or straight from WD ?
    Both. W10 Settings merely tells me installs have failed, when I do it from Defender I can watch them fail.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 19,516
    W11+W11 Developer Insider + Linux
       #8

    KenOC said:
    Both. W10 Settings merely tells me installs have failed, when I do it from Defender I can watch them fail.
    I don't know why is that happening but you can try downloading those updates from here: Download Windows Defender Definition Updates - MajorGeeks and also directly from MS and see if that helps.
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 8
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #9

    CountMike said:
    I don't know why is that happening but you can try downloading those updates from here: Download Windows Defender Definition Updates - MajorGeeks and also directly from MS and see if that helps.
    I downloaded the latest definition file from MS and ran it -- it installed fine and my Defender now shows as up to date. Another person around here reported that after he did this, auto updates worked again. Hope I have the same experience!
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 19,516
    W11+W11 Developer Insider + Linux
       #10

    KenOC said:
    I downloaded the latest definition file from MS and ran it -- it installed fine and my Defender now shows as up to date. Another person around here reported that after he did this, auto updates worked again. Hope I have the same experience!
    Let's hope so, defender has updates sometimes 5 times a day,
      My Computers


 

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