Windows Security is Blank in Windows 11

After resetting your computer or performing a clean install of Windows 11, the Windows Security app may not load. It may stall with the shield icon showing up or a blank page. This happens even if you’ve chosen the Cloud download option during the Reset.

windows security app UI - blank screen

Cause

The above issue happens if any Defender-related services or registry keys are corrupted or if the services fail to start. In some cases, the Microsoft Defender Antivirus service and the real-time protection module may be fully functional even when the Windows Security app fails to load.

Resolution

Please follow the steps below to repair the Windows Security app and the Microsoft Defender service in Windows 11 23H2, 24H2, and 25H2.

Note: Before modifying the registry, please create a System Restore Point or backup the entire registry.
  1. Download SecHealthFix_Windows_11.reg (zipped)
  2. Unzip the archive and extract SecHealthFix_Windows_11.reg to a folder.
  3. Move SecHealthFix_Windows_11.reg to the C:\ root directory.
  4. Download Advanced Run and run it.
  5. Using Advanced Run, launch c:\windows\regedit.exe as TrustedInstaller.
    advancedrun start regedit.exe
  6. From the Registry Editor (running as TrustedInstaller), import the file “SecHealthFix_Windows_11.reg”. This repairs the Microsoft Defender and Windows Security Service services.
    For more information, see the article How to Import a .REG file as TrustedInstaller.
  7. From Command Prompt (admin), run these commands: 
    DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

SFC /Scannow
  8. Restart Windows.

See if you can launch Windows Security successfully.

windows security app UI

Note:

After completing the above steps, open Settings → Windows Update and check for updates. Install the latest Windows Security Platform Update that should be offered for your device. The Windows Security Platform Update will automatically update your Windows Security app and the DLLs.

The above fix also resolves the error The Windows Security Service service on Local Computer started and then stopped.

(This fix has been last tested in Windows 11 25H2.)

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Ramesh Srinivasan is passionate about Microsoft technologies and he has been a ten-time recipient of the Microsoft MVP award in Windows Desktop Experience (Windows Shell), from 2003 to 2012. Ramesh founded Winhelponline.com in 2005.

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18 thoughts on “Windows Security is Blank in Windows 11”

  1. Thank you so much for posting this fix.
    This solved my issues after doing a reinstalling of windows 11. No other solutions on the web fixed my issues with windows security and the app & browser control issue.
    And thanks for putting the file out to download an not have to search all over for it and wonder if its safe. Also thanks for making easy to follow directions it is very much appreciated.

    Reply

  6. Thank you so much. İts working good and solving problem..
    ( bt yöneticiniz bu uygulamanın bazı alanlarına sınırlı erişime sahip windows 11 )
    Çok teşekkür ederim. Çalıştı ve problemim çözüldü. ( Türkçe)
    see you..

    Reply

  7. Yay! This worked as described. I just updated and thought everything would be perfect…can’t believe MS would provide the Win 11 update with such a bug in it. Thanks so much–I almost never download exe files if I’m not 100% sure of the provider.

    Reply

  12. Hello,
    I have the same problem after a reset to Windows 24H2 where Windows Security will not run.
    When I click on the link “Open Windows Security”, it states that I do not have an app to open this link & suggests I search MS Store.
    I’ve tried installing MS Defender which does not help plus, I’ve tried to reisntall Security health (As Administrator) as suggested still no avail.
    I have a feeling it could be the actual Windows installation. So I’ve tried to reset using the PC AND online.
    My last resort is to take this PC to a professional for a Clean installation of Windows which should not be necessary.

    Reply

  13. Finally – a process that actually worked. I’ve been trying the other processes as described in the Microsoft forums, but nothing worked and gave up. I thought I’d try this and Holy Windows Security Fix, Batman! – it worked. Thank you so much for posting the advice, Ramesh.

    Reply

  16. After a harvesting widely the WWW horizon, finally arrived to This Site, applied the steps, and guess what, after ReStart my Win11 Security dashboard appeared, thank you and thank to God who sent me blessings to find this (via Microsoft forum)

    Reply

  17. Cannot import C:\SecHelthFix_Windows _11.reg: Not ll data was successfully written to the registry. Some keys are open by the system or other processes, or you have insufficient privileges to perform this operation.
    Started AdvancedRun with admin privileges and regedit with trustedinstaller privileges.
    Any ideas for this?
    BR
    Eero

    Reply

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