Windows defender stopped working and bluetooth airpods connection is glitching

Question

Windows defender stopped working and bluetooth airpods connection is glitching

WhiteCat199 0

Wasn't able to use my pc for two months and after I finally got it, this two issues popped up. I never used any enchanments with my airpods, they connect just fine but the noise comes out glitched out or just completly silent, tried updating all drivers and disabeling some stuff none worked.

Defender constantly pops up with this notice, tried reinstalling windows, reseting in setting and doing few other things in commands but nothing so far either. wrong defender

defender

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Answer recommended by moderator

WhiteCat199 0

@Carl-L

Good news, I fixed the defender! well, Tehnically google gemini did and bluetooth is still ficked but defender now works.

Gemini just told me to delete the non-working version so windows will be forced to use older version, so I gave myself permission and did so, after restart no more error pop up and defender works like new, with C:\Windows\System32\SecurityHealth having no more versions inside FIXED DEFENDER 3

Ian-T 7,825 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-22T10:16:29.6033333+00:00

Hi

I'm following up on behalf of Carl.

That's really great to hear that your Defender is working smoothly now. Thank you for taking your time on this matter with Carl and also really appreciate you getting back and sharing your workaround.

Also, about the Bluetooth, I'll see if Carl has any additional idea about it.

I hope you have a lovely day.
Carl-L 17,555 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-23T13:44:39.97+00:00

Hello WhiteCat199,

It's good to hear that everything is alright with Defender.

Regarding the Bluetooth, may I know if there are any issue with other Bluetooth devices that is not the Airpods? And also, on the other side, do your non-bluetooth playback device have any issues?

I'm waiting for your reply.
Carl-L 17,555 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-24T12:42:38.0366667+00:00

Hello WhiteCat199,

Just checking in to make sure that you have received my reply. Please let me know if you have any updates.
Carl-L 17,555 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-26T10:00:23.34+00:00

Hello WhiteCat199,

It's been a while since I last heard from you. May I know if you still need assistance in this?

Any feedback is appreciated.

2 additional answers

Your answer

Ian-T 7,825 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-22T10:16:29.6033333+00:00

Hi

I'm following up on behalf of Carl.

That's really great to hear that your Defender is working smoothly now. Thank you for taking your time on this matter with Carl and also really appreciate you getting back and sharing your workaround.

Also, about the Bluetooth, I'll see if Carl has any additional idea about it.

I hope you have a lovely day.
Carl-L 17,555 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-23T13:44:39.97+00:00

Hello WhiteCat199,

It's good to hear that everything is alright with Defender.

Regarding the Bluetooth, may I know if there are any issue with other Bluetooth devices that is not the Airpods? And also, on the other side, do your non-bluetooth playback device have any issues?

I'm waiting for your reply.
Carl-L 17,555 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-24T12:42:38.0366667+00:00

Hello WhiteCat199,

Just checking in to make sure that you have received my reply. Please let me know if you have any updates.
Carl-L 17,555 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-26T10:00:23.34+00:00

Hello WhiteCat199,

It's been a while since I last heard from you. May I know if you still need assistance in this?

Any feedback is appreciated.

Answer 1

Carl-L 17,555 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hello WhiteCat199,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum.

The 2 issues that you're experiencing seems to be separate from one another. So I will ask them one by one.

About the airpods issues, may I know if other Bluetooth devices have the same functional issue?

Regarding Windows Defender, before we proceed further, can you please help me perform a little check?

Type "PowerShell" in the search bar and select "Run as administrator".
Type Get-MpComputerStatus | Select AMProductVersion,AMServiceVersion,AntivirusEnabled and press Enter.
Please let me know the result.
Open Explorer and go to C:\Windows\System32\SecurityHealth and let me know the version as well.

I'm waiting for your reply.

WhiteCat199 0 Reputation points

2026-06-17T19:21:53.73+00:00

screenshots of defender instructions.

As for my airpods issues, yes it is not just one pair that has the problem. I have completly new set of airpods that I don't use because my old ones still work and when I connected the new ones, they also experienced the same issues as the old ones. Also I found out that for some reason sometimes when I take out my left airpod out of the ear and leave the right one, the sound will come on, it will be glitchy but its there unlike with both.
Carl-L 17,555 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-18T13:13:08.1633333+00:00

Hello WhiteCat199,

Thanks for replying.

If both devices have the same issue, the cause of this might come from the Bluetooth itself.

Regarding your Windows Defender, the image shows that there are currently 2 versions exists, and the first photo shows that the newer version seems to have issue, so there might be an update issue of your Defender.

May I know if you can still open Windows Defender?
Carl-L 17,555 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-19T12:35:39.6966667+00:00

Hello WhiteCat199,

Just checking in to make sure that you have received my reply. Please let me know if there are any updates.
WhiteCat199 0 Reputation points

2026-06-19T18:05:52.29+00:00

Hello @Carl-L ,

Windows defender still don't open, the other version was probably from when i tried just deleting the one that is not working and replacing it but there is no available version that I could find.

I know that bluetooth is the problem with the airpods. I tried deleting the driver and reinstalling it, disabelling enchantments and wharevr youtube fix videos recommended, nothing worked
Carl-L 17,555 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-20T13:08:54.2166667+00:00

Hello WhiteCat199,

Thanks for the information.

I'll see what I can do. I'll keep you updated.

Answer 2

For the Bluetooth AirPods glitches and the Windows Defender service error, use two separate troubleshooting paths.

Bluetooth AirPods (glitching or silent audio)

Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter
- On Windows 11, open the Get Help app via the Bluetooth troubleshooter link and let it run automatic diagnostics for Bluetooth audio issues.
- If it cannot fix the issue, follow the general Bluetooth steps below.
Remove and re‑add the AirPods
- Go to Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
- Under Audio, select the AirPods and choose Remove device.
- Select Add Bluetooth or other device > Bluetooth and put the AirPods into pairing mode (in the case, lid open, button held until the LED flashes white). Select them when they appear and test audio again.
Check battery and power settings
- Fully charge the AirPods and their case, then power them off/on and retry pairing.
- If Bluetooth keeps dropping, disable power saving on the Bluetooth adapter:
  - Open Device Manager, expand Bluetooth, right‑click the Bluetooth device, open Power Management, and clear Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
Update Bluetooth drivers and Windows
- In Device Manager > Bluetooth, right‑click the adapter and select Update driver > Search automatically for updated driver software.
- Also install all pending Windows Update items from Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.

If audio is still distorted or silent after these steps, follow the device‑specific instructions from the AirPods manufacturer, as some Bluetooth audio issues are device‑specific.

Windows Defender / Windows Security not monitoring the PC

Restart the PC
- Close all apps and perform a full restart. This clears temporary glitches that can stop the Defender services.
Verify and start Defender services
- Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
- Locate Windows Defender Antivirus Service and ensure Startup type is set to Automatic.
- From the Action menu, select Start. If Start is unavailable, choose Stop, wait for it to stop, then select Start again.
- Note any error messages that appear when starting the service.
Remove third‑party security products
- Open Start > appwiz.cpl.
- Uninstall any non‑Microsoft antivirus or security suites.
- Restart the PC.
- If the previous security product had a cleanup tool, run it to fully remove remnants that can block Defender.
Confirm internet connectivity
- Press Windows key + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.
- Open the active network connection and check that IPv4 connectivity and/or IPv6 connectivity shows Internet so Defender can receive updates.

If the Defender service still cannot start after these steps and continues to report that it is not monitoring the computer, collect the exact service error text and contact Microsoft Support using the Defender support options.

References: