Many users have been reporting issues with the SmartScreen program when trying to launch built-in Microsoft applications like Alarm, Photos, Maps, Mail, etc. An error message reading ‘Windows SmartScreen can’t be reached right now’ is displayed with the option to Run the application anyway or not. The said error is primarily caused due to a poor or no internet connection. Other reasons that may prompt the issue include misconfigured security settings, SmartScreen has been disabled by either the user or a recently installed malware application, interference from proxy servers, SmartScreen is down for maintenance, etc.
With a rise in the number of phishing and virus attacks occurring via the internet, Microsoft had to step up its game and safeguard its users from falling prey to any such web-based attack. Windows SmartScreen, a native cloud-based application on every version of Windows 8 and 10, offers protection against all kinds of attacks when surfing the web through Microsoft Ntug thiab Internet Explorer. The application stops you from visiting malicious websites and downloading any suspicious files or applications from the internet. SmartScreen when sure about the malicious nature of something, blocks it entirely, and when not sure about an application, will display a warning message and give you the choice to either continue or not.
The Windows SmartScreen Can’t be reached issue is an easy one to fix and all the potential solutions for the same have been discussed in this article.
Fix: Windows SmartScreen Can’t Be Reached Right Now
Fixing the SmartScreen Can’t be Reached issue isn’t very difficult and can be done by simply going over all the suspected culprits one by one. You should start by checking SmartScreen status and its Settings. If everything is properly configured, trying disabling any active proxy servers and creating another Windows user account.
Firstly, check your internet connection and verify it is working properly. Since SmartScreen is a cloud-based security program (SmartScreen checks all the websites you visit against a dynamic list of reported phishing and malicious sites), a stable connection is a must for its operation. Try disconnecting the ethernet cable/WiFi once and then reconnect. If the internet isn’t the causing issue, move on to the solutions below.
Method 1: Ensure SmartScreen is Enabled & Check Settings
Before moving onto any advanced solutions, let’s ensure that the SmartScreen feature is not disabled on your computer. Along with that, you will also need to check the SmartScreen settings. Users can choose if they want the SmartScreen filter to scan all files & applications, malicious websites on Edge, and Microsoft Apps. For maximum safety and protection against any web attacks, the SmartScreen filter should be enabled for all the above items.
To check if SmartScreen is Enabled
1. Nias Windows yuam + R mus tua khiav thawv kem, hom gpedit.msc thiab nias Sau rau qhib lub Local Group Policy Editor. (If the group policy editor is missing from your computer, visit How to install Group Policy editor.)
2. Head down the following path using the navigation menu on the left pane (Click on the tiny arrows to expand a folder.)
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer
3. Tam sim no, duble-click (or right-click and select Kho kom raug neeg) nyob rau Configure Windows Defender SmartScreen yam khoom.
4. On the following window, ensure Enabled is selected. Click on thov to save changes and then Ok kom tawm.
To Configure SmartScreen Settings
1. Nias lub Windows yuam + Kuv rau Tua tawm Qhov Chaw Xaiv Lub Chaw. Nias rau Hloov Kho & Ruaj Ntseg.
2. Using the left navigation menu, move to the Windows ruaj ntseg tab.
3. Nyem ntawm qhov Qhib Qhov Kev Ruaj Ntseg Hauv Windows button on the right panel.
4. Hloov rau lub App & browser tswj tab thiab nias rau Reputation-based tiv thaiv kev teeb tsa
5. Make sure that all the three options (Check apps and files, SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge, and Potentially unwanted app blocking) toggles are turned ON.
6. Restart the computer to apply the SmartScreen setting changes.
Kuj nyeem: Disable Data Collection in Windows 10 (Protect Your Privacy)
Txoj Kev 2: Disable Proxy Server
Many users have been able to get around the ‘Windows SmartScreen Can’t Be Reached Right Now’ issue by turning off the built-in proxy server. If you aren’t already aware, proxy servers are a gateway between you and the internet. They act as a web filter, firewall, ensure user privacy, and cache frequently visited websites which helps in improving web page load time. Sometimes, a proxy server may interfere with the operation of the SmartScreen filter and prompt issues.
1. Tua tawm Qhov Chaw Xaiv Lub Chaw again and this time, open Network & Is Taws Nem nqis.
2. Txav mus rau lub tso cai tab thiab toggle rau the switch under the Automatically detect setting ntawm lub vaj huam sib luag sab xis.
3. Ntxiv mus, toggle off the ‘Use a proxy server’ switch under the Manual Proxy setup.
4. Close the Settings window and Rov qab qhib koj lub computer. Check if the SmartScreen error still persists.
Txoj Kev 3: Tsim Tus Neeg Siv Khoom Tshiab
It is quite possible that certain inconsistencies or the custom settings of your current account may be the culprit behind SmartScreen issues so creating a new user account will help provide a clean slate. However, the custom settings you have set over the course of time will be reset.
1. Once again qhib chaw thiab nias rau accounts.
2. Xaiv qhov Add some else to this PC kev xaiv ntawm tus Tsev Neeg & lwm cov neeg siv page.
3. In the following pop-up, click on the Kuv tsis muaj tus neeg no cov ncauj lus hauv hyperlink.
4. Rau qhov Xa ntawv chaw nyob for the new account or use a phone number instead and click on Tom ntej no. You can even get an entirely new email address or continue without a Microsoft account (local user account).
5. Fill in the other user credentials (password, country, and birth date) and click on Tom ntej no kom tiav.
6. Tam sim no, nias lub Windows qhov tseem ceeb mus tua Start ntawv qhia zaub mov thiab nias rau koj Profile duab. Kos npe of your current account.
7. Log in to your new account from the Sign-in screen and xyuas if the Windows SmartScreen issue still persists.
pom zoo:
That’s it for this article and we hope this article was helpful and you were able to fix Windows SmartScreen Can’t Be Reached Right Now error. If not, get in touch with us in the comments and we will help you out further.