Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

Windows Defender typically receives occasional definition updates automatically on Windows 10. Because this download and installation process takes place completely in the background, you don't need to pay attention. But sometimes you might see 'Windows Update does not updateerror message appeared in the Settings menu. Follow these simple solutions to easily fix the problem.

Fix 1: automate some services

Some services are essential for the WU service.


1. Digita “cmd“In the search box.



2. Next, right-click on “Command Prompt". To log in to the command prompt as an administrator, click the "Run as administrator".

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

3. After that, Write this code and then press enter to run it on your computer.

sc config wuauserv start=auto sc config bits start=auto  sc config cryptsvc start=auto sc config trustedinstaller start=auto 

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

After automating these four services, close the CMD terminal and restart the computer.

Fix 2 - Rename particular folders

Renaming a certain folder can help you solve this problem.

1. At first, you need to type "cmd“From the search box.

2. After that, right click over it "Command Prompt"And choose"Run as administrator".

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

3. To block some services, run these four commands. Copy paste and hit enter to run them all.

net stop wuauserv net stop cryptSvc net stop bits net stop msiserver

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

4. For the main step, you need to rename two important files. To do this, run these two commands in the CMD window.


ren C: WindowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old

ren C: WindowsSystem32catroot2 catroot2.old


Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error


5. For the final step, you need to reset the blocked services. To do this, run these 4 codes in sequence.

net start wuauserv net start cryptSvc net start bits net start msiserver

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

Close the Command Prompt window.

6. Now, press the button Windows key together with the 'X'key.

7. Then click on “Windows PowerShell (administrator)“To access PowerShell.

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

8. When you have access to the PowerShell terminal, run this command by typing it and pressing enter afterwards.

wuauclt.exe /updatenow

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

Restart your computer to finalize this process.

Fix 3 - Windows Update Troubleshooting

If this problem occurs due to the Windows Update issue, this should help fix the problem.

1. Just type "Troubleshoot setup problems"

2. Then you need to click on the button "Troubleshoot setup problems".

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

2. When the Settings window appears, click the "Additional troubleshooting tools“To view more troubleshooting options.

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

3. Then click on “Windows update"Troubleshoot, followed by another click on"Run the troubleshooter".

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

4. Follow the on-screen instructions.

5. Once the troubleshooting is finished, click on "Close the troubleshooter".

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

Restart the computer, if necessary.

This should fix the problem you are facing.

Fix 4 - SoftwareDistribution folder empty

1. Just press the button windows key and the 'io'key together.




2. Next you need to click on "Update and security".

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

3. Then click the "Recovery"

4. Subsequently, under "Advanced startup"Section, click"Restart now".

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

5. Once your PC restarts into Windows Recovery Environment, you need to click on “Troubleshoot".

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

6. Next, choose "Advanced options"Menu.

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

7. Just click on the "Startup Settings".


Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

8. Finally, to successfully restart the device, click on "Restart".

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

9. Here you will find various possibilities of startup types.

10. Then press F4 from the keyboard to select the option that says "Enable Safe Mode".

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

Soon your computer will boot into safe mode.

10. Press Tasto Windows + R run Running.

11. To access the Download Folder file, paste this location and press enter.

C: WindowsSoftwareDistribution

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

12. Once you reach the SoftwareDistribution folder, remove everything from it.

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

Near File Explorer window.


Restart your computer. It will start normally.

Check if this is happening or not.

Fix 5: try to manually update Windows Defender

If the automatic update fails, you can update it manually.

1. In the beginning you have to search for "Windows security".

2. Then click on "Windows Security".

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

3. Once in Windows security, click on the "Virus and threat protection”Settings.

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

4. Scroll down and in the "Virus and threat protection updates" section, click "Check for updates".


Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

5. In the Security Updates window, click "Check for updates".

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

Now just wait for this update process to complete.

Fix 6: Use a batch file to fix this problem

You need to create a new batch file and run it on your device to fix the Windows Defender issue.

1. Digita “Notepad“In the search box.

2. Click on 'Notepad“In high search results.

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

3. When the blank notepad appears on the screen, copy and paste this code.

cd %ProgramFiles%Windows Defender MpCmdRun.exe -removedefinitions -dynamicsignatures MpCmdRun.exe -SignatureUpdate

4. Next, click the "Fillet"And then on"Save as ..."

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

5. Now, set "Save as type:" to "All files (*. *)".

6. Set the file name as "defenderfix.bat". Then click on "Save".

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

After saving the file, close Notepad.

7. Go to the location where you saved the "defenderfix.bat‘file batch.

8. Right-click the batch file, then click "Run as administrator".

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

This should fix the Windows security problem on your computer.

Fix 7: download the definitions by yourself

If nothing works for you, try downloading the definitions yourself.

1. Click the link below to start downloading the virus definitions.

Windows Security Antivirus Updates

2. Scroll down the web page until you see "Microsoft Defender Antivirus for Windows 10 and Windows 8.1".

3. Then, click the appropriate architecture on the right next to it.

(Example: if your system is a "64-bit" system, you need to click the "64 bit")

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

4. As soon as you have clicked on this, choose an appropriate download location.

5. Click on 'Save".

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

Close the browser window.

Open the download path.

6. Next, double-click the "mpam-fe.exe“Setup to run it.

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

Let me install the latest version of Windows Security on your computer.

Fix 8: Use the WSUS Offline Installer

You can use the WSUS offline installer to get Windows security definition updates.

1. At first, go to the WSUS Offline Update.

2. Click the "Download"Section.

3. Then you have to click on the button "Version“To start downloading it.

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

A zip file will be downloaded.

4. Go to the downloaded folder.

5. Extract the zip file to a location of your choice. Go to that location on your drive.

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

6. Now, double-click the "wsusoffline“To access it.

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

7. In the wsusoffline folder, double-click on "UpdateGenerator.exe".

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

8. Once the WSUS Offline Update opens, deselect all in “Windows 10 x86 versions” and “Windows 10 x64 versions”.

9. Now, check the "Include Windows Defender definitions".

10. Next, click on "Home“To start the process.

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

A terminal window will appear with details on the download processes in progress.

You just have to wait.

The definitions will be downloaded to your computer.

Close the WSUS installer on your computer.

11. Back in the wsusoffline folder, double-click on "Client" folder.

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

12. Inside the "Client" folder, double click on the "UpdateInstaller.exe".

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

13. In the WSUS offline update, check the option you want to install on your computer.

14. Next, click on "Home" to start.

Windows Defender update failed to fix Windows 10 error

This way you can fix the Windows Defender problem.

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