How to fix microsoft defender icon

Ron M 0 Reputation points
2026-09-17T18:56:42.4233333+00:00

I have an active Microsoft 365 account. When I click on the Microsoft Defender icon on the bottom tab on my laptop, I get a notification that asks me to subscribe to Microsoft 365, start a trial or sign in to my account. When I choose sign in it shows a link to my account. I choose this sign in but it just goes back to the same screen over and over. How do I fix?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Microsoft 365 Defender | Other | Other
Answer accepted by question author
John Jefferson Doyon 87,535 Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-09-17T22:00:03.8166667+00:00

Thank you for letting me know.

Since Repair and Reset did not fix it, please uninstall the Microsoft Defender app first, then reinstall it from the Microsoft Store.

After reinstalling, open Microsoft Defender again and click "Sign in" under the notice shown on the screen.

Let me know exactly what happens after you click "Sign in," including any error message you get.

Thanks!

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  1. John Jefferson Doyon 87,535 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-17T19:35:55.5566667+00:00

    Hi, @Ron M

    What exact Microsoft 365 subscription is showing here https://account.microsoft.com/services Is it Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Premium?

    Microsoft Defender app requires an active Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Premium subscription.

    If one of those subscriptions is showing as active, also check that Defender is being signed in with the same Microsoft account that owns the subscription.

    Click "Add comment" to let me know.

    Thanks!

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  2. Ron M 0 Reputation points
    2026-09-17T21:21:09.8766667+00:00

    My Word & Excel both show the same Family account.

    When I hit repair is says I need to close the app first before repairing. At start when I try to open it, it does the same thing as with the task bar problem. Can I use the terminate function in advanced to close the app and then try repair?

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  3. Ron M 0 Reputation points
    2026-09-17T21:49:24.69+00:00

    I have been able to finish both the Repair (which did nothing) and the Reset to the Defender app. Now when I try to restart Defender in the Start window it tells me that I am unable to log into the app. The Windows Security appears to be working but not Defender. I totally rebooted and get the same result.

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