Windows Pop-up "Turn on virus protection" notification despite Windows Defender being already turned ON.

Julia Cragin 275 Reputation points
2026-08-29T20:44:44.7266667+00:00

This pop-up notification keeps popping up. I already have Windows Defender ON.

I see others saying the error is happening to them as well - but no fix yet?

Windows 11 operating system. Been happening for about a week.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Security and privacy
Answer accepted by question author

AI answer

2026-08-29T20:44:55.0166667+00:00

This is a confirmed Windows issue affecting Microsoft Defender Antivirus notifications.

After the latest Microsoft Defender Antivirus updates, Windows can incorrectly show "Microsoft Defender Antivirus is turned off" even when Defender is actually active and all settings show it as enabled. Microsoft states that Defender continues functioning correctly, and the notification can appear at startup and intermittently afterward. It can also continue even if notification settings are turned off.

For a Windows 11 system, this matches the currently documented known issue. There is no published fix yet. Microsoft is working on a resolution in a future Microsoft Defender Antivirus update.

If Windows Security shows Defender as on and active, the popup is currently considered a false notification rather than proof that protection is disabled.

If needed, the issue can be reported through the Feedback Hub app.

References:

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Answer accepted by question author
CrazyKats 19,245 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2026-08-29T21:48:44.5033333+00:00

Hi Julia,

Please file the issue in the Feedback Hub

using WIN+F. This way the Engineers get

the diagnostics to investigate.

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  1. CrazyKats 19,245 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2026-09-11T16:44:29.1333333+00:00

    Hi,

    Check and make sure your Defender

    Engine is up to date. This is mine and

    I did read that a recent update has

    fixed the issue.

    User's image

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  2. Jorge Inverso 0 Reputation points
    2026-09-11T16:41:23.3833333+00:00

    VPN clients like FortiClient Zero Trust fail becasue of this bug. Please have this fixed ASAP.

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