Malwarebytes Real-Time Protection Not Working? Complete Troubleshooting Guide

Real-time protection is one of the key features of Malwarebytes Premium, preventing malware and ransomware from infecting your system in real time. However, some users encounter problems where real-time protection does not activate or stops working. This can leave your system vulnerable, but most issues can be fixed with simple troubleshooting steps.

Common Causes of Real-Time Protection Issues

Outdated Malwarebytes Version – Older versions may not support real-time features fully.
Conflicting Security Software – Other antivirus programs or firewalls may block Malwarebytes’ real-time protection.
Corrupted Installation Files – Damaged or incomplete installation can prevent features from working.
Subscription or License Issues – Real-time protection is only available for active Premium subscriptions.
System Resource or Permission Issues – Limited permissions or low system resources can disable real-time scans.

How to Fix Malwarebytes Real-Time Protection Issues

1. Verify Your Subscription

Open Malwarebytes → Settings → Account
Ensure your Premium subscription is active
If your license has expired or is not recognized, real-time protection will be disabled

2. Update Malwarebytes

Go to Settings → About → Check for Updates
Install the latest updates for the software and malware database
Outdated versions may fail to activate real-time protection

3. Restart Malwarebytes and Your System

Close Malwarebytes completely
Restart your computer
Launch Malwarebytes again to see if real-time protection activates

4. Run Malwarebytes as Administrator

Right-click the Malwarebytes shortcut
Select Run as Administrator
Full permissions often resolve activation issues

5. Disable Conflicting Software

Temporarily disable other antivirus programs, firewalls, or VPNs
Retry enabling real-time protection
Re-enable your security software after verification

6. Perform a Clean Installation

Uninstall Malwarebytes completely from your device
Use the Malwarebytes Cleanup Tool to remove residual files
Download the latest version from Malwarebytes official website
Reinstall Malwarebytes and check if real-time protection works

7. Check System Settings

Ensure that Malwarebytes services are running:
- Press Windows + R → services.msc → Check Malwarebytes Service status
- On macOS, verify that Malwarebytes has the required permissions in System Preferences → Security & Privacy

8. Contact Malwarebytes Support

If real-time protection still doesn’t work, visit Malwarebytes Support
Provide your Malwarebytes version, OS details, error messages, and screenshots
Support can guide you through advanced troubleshooting or configuration fixes

Tips to Prevent Real-Time Protection Issues

Keep Malwarebytes updated to the latest version
Avoid running multiple antivirus programs simultaneously
Regularly check your subscription status and renew on time
Restart your system periodically to ensure services run smoothly

Conclusion

Malwarebytes real-time protection issues can leave your system vulnerable, but most problems are caused by outdated software, license conflicts, or interference from other security programs. By verifying your subscription, updating Malwarebytes, running it as administrator, performing a clean installation, and disabling conflicting software temporarily, you can restore full real-time protection. Persistent problems should be reported to Malwarebytes support for expert assistance, ensuring your system remains fully protected against malware and threats.