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 Edge uye 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. Dhinda Windows key + R kuvhura manya raira bhokisi, mhando gpedit.msc uye tigoshingairira pinda to vhura iyo 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. Zvino, dtinya (or right-click and select pepeta) pa Configure Windows Defender SmartScreen item.
4. On the following window, ensure akwanise is selected. Click on Shandisa kuchengetedza shanduko uye ipapo Ok kuti abve.
To Configure SmartScreen Settings
1. Tinya Windows key + I to Launch Windows Settings. Click on Kwidziridzo & Chengetedzo.
2. Using the left navigation menu, move to the Windows Security Tab.
3. Dzvanya pane Vhura Windows Security button on the right panel.
4. Chinja kune App & bhurawuza kutonga tab uye chengeta Reputation-based protection settings
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.
Uyewo Verenga: Disable Data Collection in Windows 10 (Protect Your Privacy)
Nzira 2: Dzima 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. Tanga Windows Settings again and this time, open Network & Internet zvirongwa.
2. Enda kune Proxy tabo uye kuvhura the switch under the Automatically detect setting papaneru yekurudyi.
3. Tevere, toggle off the ‘Use a proxy server’ switch under the Manual Proxy setup.
4. Close the Settings window and Tangazve kombiyuta yako. Check if the SmartScreen error still persists.
Method 3: Gadzira New User Account
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 yakazaruka Settings uye tinya Accounts.
2. Sarudza iyo Add some else to this PC sarudzo pane Mhuri & vamwe vashandisi peji.
3. In the following pop-up, click on the Ini handina ruzivo rwekuti munhu uyu apinde-saini hyperlink.
4. Pinda iyo Kero yetsamba for the new account or use a phone number instead and click on Next. 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 Next kupedza.
6. Zvino, tinya the Windows key kuvhura Tanga menu uye tinya pane yako Profile icon. Buda of your current account.
7. Log in to your new account from the Sign-in screen and chengetedza if the Windows SmartScreen issue still persists.
akakurudzira kuti:
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.