Windows Defender Won't Start

I have a PC running Windows 10. I have been getting a message that my virus protection is off. Windows Defender is my anti virus software. It won't turn on when I select the button. I have just been to the Malware forum and checked for malware and none was found. We did clean out a few things though. Last night after cleaning out Windows Defender started doing a scan on its own. So I left it running and went to bed. This morning Windows had done an update. Windows Defender won't start again.

Does anyone have any suggestions for getting it to run again, or what is going on with it?

TIA,

Jim

 

No I have not. I am not at the pc right now. I will have to wait until tonight. Thanks TimW.

 

Thanks TimW,

Windows Defender is working now. I'm embarassed to say. There was a malware program that was installed with a program I wanted. I didn't know it was installed. That is probably why Windows Defender wouldn't start.

There were other things that were suspicious yesterday that I hope are gone now too.

You guys on here are great. I just told a fellow worker about majorgeeks and he might be visiting tonight for a malware problem.