Windows Security Notifications

PADELL 5 Reputation points
2026-09-07T11:15:31.62+00:00

Hi,

When I open Edge I get the following notification:-

Turn on virus protection

Virus protection is turned off. Tap or click to turn

on Antivirus Microsoft Defender.

                Dismiss

I have clicked on the notification and it takes me to Security at a glance.

Virus & threat protection No action needed. (with a green tick on the icon)

Account protection No action needed. (with a green tick on the icon)

Firewall & network protection No action needed. (with a green tick on the icon)

App and browser control No action needed (with a green tick on the icon)

Device security no action needed.

Device performance & health no action needed (without a green tick on the icon)

On seeing the above I assume that all is correct and that the Virus protection is turned on as no where can I find an icon/button to turn it on/off.

I do have Nord VPN and have being using it for a few months and it is only in the last few days that this notification has started to appear.

Why is it doing it and what do I need to do to stop it.

Regards Paddy

Microsoft Security | Microsoft Defender | Other
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  1. AI answer

    2026-09-07T11:15:51.7833333+00:00

    This is most likely a false notification rather than Microsoft Defender actually being off.

    The strongest sign is that Windows Security shows green checks and “No action needed” in the protection areas. There is also a documented known issue where incorrect notifications say “Microsoft Defender Antivirus is turned off” even though Microsoft Defender Antivirus remains active and functioning correctly.

    What to do:

    1. Verify real-time protection status
      • Open Windows Security.
      • Go to Virus & threat protection > Manage settings.
      • Check Real-time protection.
      • If it is already On, Defender Antivirus is enabled.
    2. Check whether the alert is coming from Windows Security or from Edge site notifications
      • If the message appears specifically when opening Edge, it can be a browser push notification rather than a real Defender alert.
      • In Microsoft Edge, open notification permissions and remove unfamiliar sites from the Allow list.
      • If needed, turn off Ask before sending to block site notifications entirely.
    3. Review Windows Security notification settings
      • Open Windows Security > Settings > Manage notifications.
      • Windows Security can show informational notifications, but it will still show urgent notifications when immediate action is required.
      • If the device is managed by a work or school organization, some notification settings may be controlled by an administrator.
    4. Check Protection history
      • In Windows Security, open Protection history.
      • Look for alerts such as An important service is off. If present, open the alert card and use Actions to turn the feature back on.
    5. If the notification continues and Defender is confirmed on
      • Report it through Feedback Hub using WIN+F so diagnostics can be collected for investigation.

    Why this is happening:

    • A current documented issue can show incorrect “Microsoft Defender Antivirus is turned off” notifications even when Defender is working correctly.
    • Because the message appears when opening Edge, it may also be a website notification/push notification that only looks like a Windows security alert.
    • Nord VPN is not identified in the available documentation as the cause.
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  2. Bence Weiszmann 1,555 Reputation points
    2026-09-07T13:15:46.87+00:00

    Dear @PADELL

    This is actually a known issue at the moment. There have been a number of reports of Windows 11 showing the “Turn on virus protection” notification even though Microsoft Defender Antivirus is enabled and working normally. Since Virus & threat protection is showing “No action needed” with a green tick on your PC, this looks like the same issue. The notification itself does not necessarily mean that Defender is actually turned off.

    You can also report the issue through Feedback Hub by pressing Win + F. There is already a feedback report for the same problem that you can upvote.

    Best regards,
    Bence

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