Web protection

Question

I have been receiving message from the MIcrosoft Defender program that my Web Protection on my cell phonewas on at the end of March but no longer working. How do I get it to work again.

Answer 1

I hope the steps I provided were helpful. At this point, I will proceed with releasing your question. Thank you for reaching out to us today.

Answer 2

Hi Ruth Pringle, Thanks for posting here in Microsoft Community, I understand your concern about Microsoft Defender showing that Web Protection was previously active on your phone but is no longer working.

Please follow the steps below and let me know how it goes:

1. Open Microsoft Defender
2. Make sure you are signed in with the same Microsoft account that shows the warning
3. On the home screen, check Web Protection
   • If it shows Off, tap it and try to turn it On
4. If it fails or turns off again let me know.

Also, may I ask whether you’re using an Android phone or an iPhone?

Hoping to hear from you soon.

Answer 3

On many mobile devices, Microsoft Defender Web protection stops working because the system’s battery-saving features remove the app’s background and accessibility permissions. To get Web protection working again and keep it on, adjust both device and Defender settings.

Follow these steps on the phone:

1. Device battery and background settings
   • Turn off battery optimization/adaptive battery for Microsoft Defender.
   • Set Microsoft Defender’s battery usage to Unrestricted (or equivalent on the device).
   • Allow Microsoft Defender to run in the background and ensure app activity is allowed even when not in use.
   • Make sure any Power saving/Battery saver/Ultra power saving modes are turned off or that Microsoft Defender is excluded/marked as an essential app.
   Examples from common devices (names may differ slightly on the phone):
   • Open Settings → Battery (or Battery and device care).
   • Find App battery usage, Background power consumption management, or Background usage limits.
   • For Microsoft Defender, choose Unrestricted or Don’t restrict background power usage, and add it to Never sleeping apps or similar lists.
2. Microsoft Defender app settings
   • Open the Microsoft Defender app on the phone.
   • Tap the Device protection card or the alert card for Web protection.
   • Follow the on-screen steps to turn Web protection back on and grant any requested accessibility/permissions.

After these changes, Web protection should stay enabled and not turn off automatically.

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References:

• Web protection keeps turning off on my Android device