Defender will not allow me to login after rebuild with saving data

Question

Defender will not allow me to login after rebuild with saving data

John Galt 0

Had to reset laptop today using save my data option. When I turned on defender i was prompted to sign in. I used my microsoft creds and it wont accept them. I am obviously able to login to the microsoft site using these creds so I know they work.

What gives?

Thank you

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Answer 1

Jeronimo Fuerte 46,730 Independent Advisor

Sorry to hear you're having trouble signing in to Microsoft Defender after resetting the laptop. To better understand what is happening, could you please confirm which Defender application is asking you to sign in: the Microsoft Defender app included with Microsoft 365, or Windows Security? Also, what exact error message do you receive after entering your Microsoft account credentials? If possible, please share a screenshot of the message, making sure to hide any personal information.

Please also confirm whether your Microsoft 365 subscription appears as active at https://account.microsoft.com/services, and whether the same Microsoft account is currently signed in under Settings > Accounts > Your info on the rebuilt laptop.

John Galt 0 Reputation points

2026-09-27T17:33:50.0633333+00:00

The account is active, expires 12-2026.

I have loaded office 365 successfully. When logged into my microsoft account and go to defender it shows me as signed in with no problems.

When I attempt to download defender a new window opens in edge and remains blank.

When I attempt to open defender on the laptop it fails and if i click on feedback that also fails. Please see attachment.What am i missing here?
Jeronimo Fuerte 46,730 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-28T17:57:45.7266667+00:00

Thank you for the additional information. The fact that the Defender app itself fails, Feedback also fails, and the Defender download page opens as a blank Edge window suggests that one of the local app/web components may have been damaged during the Windows reset.

Please go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Microsoft Defender > Advanced options and select Repair. If that does not help, try Reset. Then go back to Installed apps, select Microsoft Edge > Modify > Repair.

Restart the computer afterward and test Defender again. If it still fails, uninstall the Microsoft Defender app and reinstall it from Microsoft Store; this will not remove the Windows Security/Defender Antivirus protection built into Windows.