Fix – Windows 10 Defender Threat Service has stopped error

Windows 10 Defender threat service showing error message instead of working properly? Fret not! The blog post quick workaround to fix the issue.

Some users reporting on the Microsoft Forums and other sites that on ‘Virus and threat protection’ a notification appear with error message which reads:

The threat service has stopped. Restart it now.

Unexpected error. Sorry, we ran into a problem. Please try again.

Affected users also reporting that they start seeing this error message after installing Windows 10 KB4549951 for Windows Defender which was rolled out by the Microsoft via Windows Updates.

The following Windows 10 Defender bug prevents using from performing scans which make expose users to various bugs and security risks. Apart from this, Windows Defender is crashing or freezing while performing full and quick scans.

Fix – Windows 10 Defender Threat Service has stopped error

In upcoming we will share with you two possible ways which might help you in fixing the issue. Let’s start with first one:

Check for Update

Head over to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus and threat protection. Here on the right side, head over to “Virus and threat protection update” section.

Here, click on the check for update. If any update is available. Install the update and reboot your system.

Even Viewer Method

Launch Event view in Windows 10. You can search it using Start menu search and when it appears, click to open it.

Next, head over to Applications and Services logs > Microsoft > Windows > Windows Defender > Operational.

Here, you will find an error message and code which reads “crash exception code 0xc00000005” with file name with two dots. Either remove extra dots or delete the same file.

After doing this reboot your computer and then launch Windows Defender and perform the scan.

Doing this will fix the problem. Microsoft is already aware about the issue and will roll out the update soon.

Is Windows 10 Defender also showing you the same error message? The solution mentioned in this post help in fixing the issue? Let us know in the comments.

Thanks, Windows Latest for the tip.