Key Notes:
Fixing McAfee not working can be done by updating Windows, doing a simple system restart, or repairing McAfee as one of its files may have become corrupted and damaged during installation or an update.
In this guide, we will take a look at how you can fix McAfee not opening or working and resolve many of the problems with McAfee that are stopping it from protecting your Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer.
Experiencing issues with McAfee not working can be a cause for concern, as it may leave your Windows computer vulnerable to potential security threats.
There are several steps you can take to troubleshoot and address the problem, and I have listed these troubleshooting methods below.
McAfee is a well-known security program developed by of course McAfee. McAfee offers a range of security solutions to protect users from various online threats.
The software provides antivirus and anti-malware protection, shielding Windows 10/11 from viruses, malware, ransomware, spyware, and other malicious software.
McAfee utilizes advanced scanning techniques and behavioral analysis to detect and eliminate threats in real-time, providing a proactive defense against emerging cyber threats on your PC/laptop.
But how can you fix McAfee when it stops working? find out below.
Table Of Contents
Why am I having problems with McAfee?
Many users encounter problems with McAfee so don’t think you are the only one and this can be due to many reasons.
One common issue is software conflicts. McAfee may not work smoothly when installed alongside other security software, leading to compatibility issues that can disrupt its functionality.
Additionally, outdated or incompatible hardware and software on the user’s computer can cause McAfee’s performance issues, causing it to run slowly or generate errors.
Another common problem is incorrect installation or configuration. Users who don’t follow the installation instructions carefully or fail to update the software regularly may experience issues.
As you can see many things can cause problems with McAfee, which is why I have written this guide to help.
How to fix McAfee not opening or working
Below are the different troubleshooting methods to help fix problems with McAfee.
Fix 1: Restart Windows
McAfee won’t open or crashing could just be a result of its services becoming stuck or something else within Windows has become glitched.
So restarting Windows is a fast and easy way of resolving an issue like this, so go ahead and restart Windows. Once restarted try McAfee security again and see if that resolves the problem.
Fix 2: Background programs
If you have got loads of different programs/apps open while trying to open McAfee Security, then it could be that one of these programs is conflicting with the Security software causing it to either not open or crash.
So close everything down then try opening McAfee Security again, and see if that resolves the issue.
Fix 3: Update Windows
Making sure Windows is up to date could also help resolve the problem you are experiencing with McAfee, so go ahead and jump into the Windows settings and make sure you have all the available updates installed.
Right-click the start menu and go to Settings
Click on Update and Security and Check for updates or Windows Update for Windows 11 then Check for updates
Fix 4: McAfee Services
Make sure you have not disabled McAfee services from starting with Windows.
Open the start menu and search for MSCONFIG and open System Configuration
Now click the Services tab now tick all services related to McAfee
Fix 5: Repair McAfee Security
The next thing to do is repair/reinstall McAfee on your computer, it could be that one of its files has become corrupted or missing. This would explain why you are not able to get the security program working on your computer.
Right-click the start menu and select Apps & Features
Search for McAfee Security then Click Uninstall
Once removed then install McAfee back on your computer, but I would recommend you restart your computer first.
Final thoughts
Encountering issues with McAfee not working can be a frustrating experience, as it leaves your computer vulnerable to potential security risks.
But luckily as you have seen from the above guide, there are things that can be done to fix these problems.
So I hope one of the above methods helped fix McAfee not working on your Windows computer, and it’s now protected again.
