Windows 11's antivirus is repeatedly telling users that it's turned off — but don't panic, this is a bug and it's working just fine

image via TechRadar

September 1, 2026, 1:39 PM

• •Recent Microsoft Defender Antivirus updates can trigger false notifications saying the antivirus is turned off.
• •Microsoft says the bug affects Windows 11 and Windows 10 while Defender continues to function normally.
• •The warnings may appear on boot and intermittently afterward, even if notifications are disabled.
• •Microsoft has acknowledged the problem on the Windows release health dashboard and is working on a fix.
• •Users can check Defender’s actual status in Windows Security under Virus & threat protection.

Microsoft says a bug in recent Microsoft Defender Antivirus updates is causing Windows 11 and Windows 10 to show false warnings that the antivirus is turned off. The company has acknowledged the issue on the Windows release health dashboard and says Defender is still working correctly despite the alerts. Users may see the notifications at startup and intermittently afterward, even when notification settings are disabled. Microsoft is preparing a fix, and users can verify Defender’s real status in the Windows Security app under Virus & threat protection.

Read original article