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Why Won’t My Antivirus Update? Easy Steps to Get Safe Protection Back
Windows Defender is the tool that keeps your computer safe from viruses. To work right, it needs to download new lists of bad files every day. Right now, some people with Windows 11 version 24H2 are having trouble. Their computers are not getting these new lists.
This is a guide to help you check your computer and fix it if it is broken.
The Problem: The List Is Old
Your computer might say it is safe, but it might be wrong. A reader named Thomas found that his computers stopped getting updates on November 19, 2025. Even five days later, the computers did not download anything new.
This is tricky because:
- The computer does not show an error message.
- It does not tell you something is wrong.
- It might say “You are up to date” even if the list is old.
- Clicking the “Check for updates” button might not work.
How to Check Your Computer
You should look at your settings to see if you have this problem. Follow these easy steps:
- Click the Start button.
- Type “Windows Security” and open it.
- Click on Virus & threat protection.
- Look for a section called Virus & threat protection updates.
- Click on Protection updates.
Look at the date shown there. If the date is from a few days ago, your computer is not getting the new lists.
How to Fix It
If your computer is stuck, you can do the work yourself. You do not have to wait for the computer to fix itself.
Manual Download
You can go to the Microsoft website. There, you can download the update file yourself. Run that file, and it will teach your Windows Defender the new virus list.
Check Your Clock
Sometimes, updates fail because the time on your computer is wrong. Make sure your clock shows the right time and date.
Restart the Computer
Turn your computer all the way off and turn it back on. This can sometimes reset the system that downloads updates.
Why Is This Happening?
We do not know the exact reason yet. It could be a few things:
- Bad Internet: The connection to the update server might be broken.
- Wrong Time: If your computer thinks it is the wrong year or day, it gets confused.
- Software Glitch: The program that runs the updates might have crashed. On a test computer, the “Threat service” stopped running by itself. When this happens, updates cannot download.
Check your dates today to make sure you are safe.