Windows 10: Security Centre reports Kaspersky and Windows Defender turned off

For the past few days when I start up my PC, I get an alert after a minute or so saying Kaspersky and Defender are turned off.

Kaspersky is running and reports my computer is protected. Click on the alert and it says Kaspersky is not running and gives no option to start it; and that Defender is snoozed.

Clearly I can turn off messages about virus protection but I shouldn't have to.

I've been using Kaspersky for nearly 2 years but this, as I recall, is a new happening.

Any way of getting things sorted?

System:
Windows 10 Professional V.1709
Kaspersky Internet Security 17.0.0.611(j)

In Windows Settings / Update and Security it only has Windows Defender in the list on the left hand side, this reports "The settings for Windows Defender Antivirus aren't available because it is turned off"; then gives the option to Turn on Windows Defender Antivirus.

In old-style Control Panel / Security and Maintenance, under the Security heading, it reports Windows Defender Antivirus and Kaspersky Internet Security are both turned off, and gives a button View Antivirus Applications. This shows the dialogue box I mentioned in the OP which lists the two installed virus protection applications: Kaspersky Internet Security - Off, Windows Defender Antivirus - Snoozed.

Kaspersky reports Your Computer is protected and can be seen in Task Manager to be running and consuming resources.

As Windows - falsely - claims neither is running there's no option to turn one off.

I'm wondering whether it started with this week's Windows updates.

I might try uninstalling and re-installing KIS to see if it makes any difference.

dencal said:

In Kaspersky settings there is an option to turn OFF....try that then turn on again....if successful it should automatically disable Defender....if that doesn't work as you state reinstall KIS.

This.

Also, may want to check the Kaspersky Forum.

https://forum.kaspersky.com/

Thanks.

I uninstalled and reinstalled KIS and, albeit after only 1 reboot, it seems ok now.

I guess the system was afflicted by TKS*.

I get Kaspersky free as a result of banking with Barclays, as they have now withdrawn it I shall be seeking an alternative in the next couple of months anyway so may be moving away from KIS anyway.

* TKS - twisted knicker syndrome