Windows Defender "Connection Failed"

[irritant]

Hey guys

Got a problem with my Windows Defender. It doesn't want to update the virus definitions like it normally does. It keeps searching, downloading, installing, and then just before the end, it says it couldn't do it because there was a network or internet problem - "connection failed". Nothing wrong with my internet connection.

Online forums suggest just turning it off, I don't want it off, I want it updated and running correctly, protecting my PC.

Has anyone else encountered something like this? It's a recent thing.

Virus and spyware definitions: 1.235.1075.0

[irritant]

Ah man, can't believe it. Tried it now and it works again, just updated to the latest version: 1.235.1217.0

Feel a bit of an idiot now.

[Tiny]

Nah. It's ok. Happened to me once too. Fixed it with a manual download & update.

[lsemmens]

Nah, just M$ having a hissy fit because you have some non M$ software on your computer.

[irritant]

Well, got this extremely annoying problem again. Connection is 100% fine and still it says update failed due to connection error.

So, tried going to MS website for help - not very helpful, tried downloading their manual version of the update package - mpam-fe.exe (162 MB), run it and nothing happens.

So, did some more searching - found this website: , which gives a slightly different version of 164 MB that is called (I have Win 10 32-bit on the PC having the issue) - win10-mpam-feX86.exe. Tried running it again - nothing, but then right-clicked, run as administrator and now seems to have updated my definitions - defender is now in green colour again and definitions says up-to-date, PC is being protected.

So, anyone else having this issue, this might work for you.

[tristen]

Get something that works properly rather than that Microsoft rubbish!

There's plenty of good software out there.

[irritant]

Get something that works properly rather than that Microsoft rubbish!

There's plenty of good software out there.

I don't mind the Microsoft stuff itself, it's just their support that is so lousy. As soon as something happens, they can't tell you how to fix it! It's all self-service - sit for hours trying to figure out what's going on, but then eventually getting it right.

I do have anti-virus programs, etc. but I like to keep this one updated too as I guess it can't do harm to do so.