When users are attempting to begin the Windows Defender program on their PC, they get stuck with an error code 0x800b0100. Once this error appears on your device, it will prevent you to turn on the Windows Defender and as a result, the Windows Defender turned off automatically. There can be many reasons behind such Windows Defender error. But, generally, this error can occur, if your device gets infected by some sort of virus or malware. This error code also arises if you have any third-party security software installed on your PC. This is because the third party security programs can conflict with the Windows Defender. And result, such kind of error appears.
As there are various factions that might be responsible for this issue, there should be enough solutions to it too. And any procedure can work depending on the causes of the issue. So, you have to try each and every method that we have mentioned below until the Windows Defender Error Code 0x800b0100 gets eliminated.
Simple Methods to Fix the Windows Defender Error Code 0x800b0100
Basically, Windows Defender error code 0x800b0100 can arise anytime in any version of Windows. As we have already mentioned that there is not a single factor responsible for this error. However, in this section of the article, we are going to mention some of the tried and tested fixes. Thus, you can learn them and implement them accordingly in order to get fixed Windows Defender error code 0x800b0100. So, without any further delay, let’s begin:
Procedure 1: Perform a Clean Boot
This is one of the most reliable ways to resolve such kind of error code in your Windows Defender. You can resolve this issue by opening Windows with minimal features. Therefore, you can do this with a clean boot. If any third-party program is causing this error, then you can get to know this easily.
This process will help you to turn off all the third-party programs to be sure that is safely booted. Here, you require to check if the Windows Defender is working properly or not. After doing a clean boot, if Windows Defender works fine, then you can make sure that you encounter this error because the third-party program that you installed on your PC. Hence, if you don’t know “how to perform a clean boot?”, then you can follow the steps as mentioned in the below section:
Steps to Perform a Clean Boot:
- Primarily, you have to press and hold the Windows Home Key with the R key altogether from the keyboard. Now, Run dialog box will open. Here, you have to write “msconfig” and press the Enter button or click on the OK button in order to get to the next step.
- Now, in the System Configuration window, you need to navigate to the Services tab in order to make changes on it. Here, in this page, you need to locate the ‘Hide All Microsoft Services.” Once you locate it you have to mark it checked.
- Since all the Microsoft services are hidden, thus, hit the “Disable All” option that is present on the right-bottom corner. Now, you require to go to the Startup tab where you have to select the Task Manager to open it.
- Here, in this section, you need to select those programs that belong to any third-party sources, and then turn it off. If there is more than one third-party program, then disable them all one by one.
After performing all the above mentioned steps, hit the Restart button in order to reload your device. Now, this process will allow you to start your device with minimum feature turn on in it. Now, you can try to start the Windows Defender to see whether the error is still present there.
If the error gets eliminated from Windows Defender, that means the third party program is conflicting with your device as well as the Windows Defender. Once you identify what causes this error, you should change all the settings. To do so, you have to follow the steps below:
Steps to Revert the Changes:
- Firstly, press and hold the Windows Home key + R key simultaneously on your keyboard to start the Run dialog box. In the Run dialog box, type “msconfig” and hit the Enter key or choose the OK button.
- This action will open the System Configuration windows where you need to choose the Normal Startup and then tap on the Services tab of that window. Now, you need to unmark those boxes, that you have marked while performing a clean boot.
- It says “Hide All Microsoft Services” and it comes up with a check box, just hit the Enable All button that is present on the right-bottom corner of the window.
- Once it is done, you have to navigate to the Startup tab and then open the Task Manager. Here, you need to enable those programs that you have turned off in earlier.
- Here, you might prompt to restart your device, so just do it.
These steps will revert the Windows settings in order to boot it in its normal state.
Procedure 2: Check the Windows Defender Program
If the previous procedure fails to resolve the error successfully, then you can try this one. Sometimes, due to certain internal glitches and bugs, the Windows Defender services are not running properly. In such situations, you might encounter Windows Defender error code 0x800b0100 in your PC.
Therefore, you require to check whether the Windows Defender services are turned on or not. In most cases, this kind of thing happens due to some sort of virus or malware infection. So, in order to make sure that the Windows Defender Services are running well, you have to follow the steps that are mentioned in the section below:
Step 1:
In the first step, press and hold the Windows Home key + R key simultaneously on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. Once the Run dialog box opens, write “services.msc’ and press the Enter button or choose the OK to proceed to the next step.
Step 2:
After performing the above actions, a service window opens, here, you need to find the Windows Defender from the menu list. Once you locate it, simply double-click on it to open the experience.
Step 3:
Here, Windows Defender services windows open where you need to make certain changes. Now, you have to locate the “Startup Type” and once you locate it you require to make sure that the Startup Type has selected as Automatic. Moreover, you need to be sure that the service is in the Started condition.
Step 4:
Thereafter, you need to locate the “Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection Service” button. Once you locate it, you have to make sure that the option is checked and the Windows Defender Service is running. After this process, you require to find another service which is known as “Windows Defender Network Inspection Service.’ Once you find this section, simply right-click on it and then, press the Enable option in order to turn on the service and lastly set this service as Automatic. Over time, this option might be grayed out, but no need to worry. This happens because of the configuration of your device.
Hopefully, after following all the steps as we have given in the above section, you will be alto resolve the Windows Defender error code 0x800b0100. And if you perform all the steps successfully then the Windows Defender program works in its normal state.
Procedure 3: Perform the Windows Update Troubleshooter
Windows comes up with various in-built tools that are designed to resolve such kind of Windows errors. Windows Update Troubleshooter is one of them, After performing the above two procedures, if you still get stuck with the same issue, then you might need to perform the Windows Update Troubleshooter. In order to perform the Windows Update Troubleshooter, you can go through undermentioned points:
Step 1:
Primarily, you require to navigate to the search pane and then, type “Troubleshooting” and hit the Enter key or choose the OK button on your keyboard. After this process, the troubleshooting windows open, here, you need to locate an option named “Fixed Problems With Windows Update”. Once you locate it, simply click on it to proceed to the further step.
Step 2:
Once you are done with the above steps, your device will start detecting the internal glitches and bugs related to Windows Defender error code 0x800b0100. Now, wait for a few minutes to process finishes. Once the troubleshooting process is over, you can try to open the Windows Defender and check whether the error code gets removed or not. If the Windows Defender error code is still there you should move on to the next procedure.
Procedure 4: Use the Command Prompt
If the above mentioned procedure was not able to fix the Windows Defender error code 0x800b0100, then you can also try out this procedure. Many users claim that using the Command Prompt, they fix the Windows Defender related error. To do so, you can go through the following section:
- At the very beginning of the stop, you need to press and hold the Windows Home key + Key altogether on your keyboard in order to open the menu list. Once the Menu list opens, click on the Command Prompt (Admin).
- After opening the Command Prompt window, write “sfc/scannow” in order to run the command, and then click on the OK button or hit the enter key.
Once you are done with all the steps, you can check whether the Windows Defender error gets eliminated or not.
Procedure 5: Perform the DISM Tool
After using the Command Prompt, if the Windows Defender error code 0x800b0100 still remains, then you can try to perform the DISM tool. This is another integrated Windows tool that can use to fix such Windows Defender error. But, before proceeding with this method, you need to be aware of the process. Because if you make any mistakes while performing this tool, then it may cause serious damage to your system. So, you require to be careful while using it:
Step 1:
In the beginning, navigate to the Run dialog box and write “cmd’. After that, right-click on the search result in order to open the experience. Then, chose to Run As Administrator option in order to run it with administrator privileges. Alternatively, you can press and hold the Windows logo key + X key simultaneously on your keyboard to open the menu list. Now, click on the Command Prompt (Admin).
Step 2:
Once the Command prompt window opens, you required to type the following command in the search field.Command 1- DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth, and command 2-
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth. And hit the Enter key after each command.
After finishing the process, restart your device. Once your device restarts, you can try to open the Windows Defender. And check whether the issue is still present.
Concluding Notes:
Hopefully, the write up was able to help you in resolving the Windows Defender error code 0x800b0100. However, if you have any additional query or question regarding this error, then you can post your doubts in the feedback section below. On the other hand, you always have the option to look up to the help provided by a professional.