Microsoft safety scan does not finish.

Question

I run Microsoft Safety Scan, but it does not finish. How can I fix this problem?

Answer 1

Is it this safety scanner? https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-endpoint/safety-scanner-download

Did it give you any error, if so what does it say?

How long has it been running?

Make sure your computer is connected to the internet. This scanner can only finish with internet connected, because the last phrase of it requires verifying the potential suspicious findings against the MAPS (Microsoft Active Protection Service).

Answer 2

If Microsoft Safety Scanner does not finish, use this troubleshooting path:

1. Check the Safety Scanner log for the error code.
   • Open Start.
   • Type or paste %systemroot%\debug and press Enter.
   • Open msert.log.
   • Look for an error code that usually starts with 0x.
2. Match the code and apply the fix:
   • 0x80508019: The scan destination file or drive does not exist. Start Microsoft Safety Scanner > Next > Customized scan > Choose Folder > select a different file or drive > OK > Next.
   • 0x80508007: Low memory. Download Microsoft Safety Scanner again.
   • 0x8050800C: The current system state prevents the scan in that user context. Restart the computer, then run the scan again.
   • 0x8050A005 / 0x8050A002 / 0x8050A004 / 0x80508002 / 0x80508004 / 0x8050A001 / 0x80508001: Scanner engine or signature files are missing, invalid, unsigned, or corrupted. Download Microsoft Safety Scanner again.
   • 0x80508024: Run a Full Scan, then try the action again.
   • 0x80508026: A file is inside an archive such as a ZIP. Identify the archive and remove the file manually.
   • 0x80508025: Follow the specific instructions recorded in msert.log.
   • If the code is not listed, download Microsoft Safety Scanner again.
3. If the scan appears stuck but not failed:
   • Make sure there is enough free disk space, especially on drive C:, because malware removal and quarantine need disk space.
   • Close other apps and run the scan while the PC is idle, because scanning uses processor and memory.
   • Restart the PC and run the scan immediately after restart, before opening other apps.
   • Full scans can take a long time on PCs with many files or large archives such as ZIP files.
4. If the issue continues, run a new full scan:
   • Open Microsoft Safety Scanner.
   • Click Next.
   • In Scan Type, select Full Scan.
   • Click Next.
5. For detailed results after a scan, review %SYSTEMROOT%\debug\msert.log.

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References:

• How to troubleshoot an error when you run the Microsoft Safety Scanner
• Troubleshoot problems with detecting and removing malware
• Microsoft Safety Scanner Download