For the last two days, on startup of the computer, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware premium started showing a notification: ‘Protection Disabled one or more components protection are disabled’ with ‘fix now’ button which does nothing.
When you open Malwarebytes, dashboard shows ‘Your system is not fully protected’ and Real-time protection displays ‘Malicious website protection disabled, Malware Protection enabled’ error (check the screenshot below) and when you try to perform a threat scan, you’ll get ‘The scan failed to run successfully’ error, let us see how to fix all these errors.
- Fix Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Shows ‘Your System is not fully Protected’ Error (This was different to the current one we’re talking in the article )
- Fix ‘Malwarebytes Anti-Malware has stopped working’
Fixing Malwarebytes ‘Malicious Website Protection disabled..’ and ‘Protection disabled’ errors
I. 1. Open Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, in the dashboard, click on ‘Update Now’ button to update to the latest database version.
2. After that, restart your computer, this will fix these errors. If not, go to second method.
II. Navigate to C:\ProgramData\Malwarebytes\Malwarebytes Anti-Malware’ and delete ‘rules.ref’ file, restart your computer, MABM will now automatically update you to the latest database version, or click on ‘Update Now ‘button.
III. If the above method doesn’t work uninstall and reinstall MBAM.
- How to Retrieve Malwarebytes ID and License key, if lost?
- How to Add Scan Option for Malwarebytes v2.0 in the Explorer Right Click Menu
Note: It’s the CDN that delivers database updates for Malwarebytes has caused the problem, but not Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 2.0.3, FYI, v2.0.2 users also got these errors.
Sidenote: There two Malwarebytes available: one is an anti-malware which will no longer be supported in future and the other one is complete security package, which also includes anti-malware, you can download it from Malwarebytes home page.
Anit-malware’s last and latest version is 2.2.1, you can download by following this link:
How to revert to Malwarebytes 2.0 from 3.0?
Has that solved the problems for you with Malicious Web Protection of Malwarebytes? Let me know in the comments.
The steps above didn’t work for me but this is from Malwarebytes, referring to their Advanced Settings in their paid version:
Enable Malicious Website Protection when Malwarebytes Anti-Malware starts: If left unchecked, real-time Malicious Website Protection will not start automatically when Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is launched. This setting does not affect the setting for Malware Protection at program startup. It will override the Malicious Website Protection setting in Detection Settings.
Sorry, this didn’t work. I deleted the file un/ and reinstalled. stille the same problem
Clive
What fixed this issue for me,
Click on “Settings”
Click on “Protection” tab
Scroll down to “Updates”
Click “On” to turn “Off”
“Close” then “Quit” Malwarebytes (3.3.1)
Manually update on Startup
Thank you Jules – I found this post to be very helpful and it fixed my issues. I took notes, so that if it ever happens again, I’ll know what to do – thanks again!
Thank you Venkat for this helpful tech post and also thanks to Shawn for the additional suggestion. Venkat and Shawn, thank you, your advice worked for me — after I rebooted, and could not locate the “rules.ref” file, I was still showing a red flag that the malicious website protection was disabled. So I right-clicked the malwarebytes icon in the taskbar, checked “malicious website protection” and hooray–that fixed it! I had tried this before I rebooted, and it didn’t work, so apparently Venkat’s suggestion re rebooting was helpful also.
Michele, can you share the version number you’re having the problem with? Ensure you’re using the latest one as they fixed these issues, curretnly it is at v2.0.4
Same for me.
I’m using Premium version 2.0.4.1028.
I tried many things to restore Malicious Website Protection, including right clicking on the icon in the notification area of the task bar and clicking on “Malicious Website Protection”, deleting rules.ref, and rebooting several times.
After all this, tried right clicking on the icon in the notification area of the task bar and clicking on “Malicious Website Protection” again. This time it worked !!!
When I had this problem of Malware-bytes real-time protection being turned off, I first opened it from the system tray and clicked on the fix button where it says my system was not fully protected and nothing happened. I then right-clicked on Malware-bytes in the Windows taskbar system tray, clicked on Malware Protection and Malicious Website Protection for them to become checked and had to restart Malware-bytes for the settings to take effect. Now real-time protection is on again. Hope this helps anyone! Also thank you all here for all the help that you provide others! Nice site with very good technical support!
Victor
You’re welcome victor, we’re here to help you.
Had the same problem today. As per your instructions I removed the rules.ref file, restarted, was able to update the database and used the Fix Now button which brought everything back online. Many thanks!
Glad my post helped you, you’re welcome Eric.
I tried all what discussed above. it worked once in a split second then it goes back to same problem. more help please. Thanks.
I think it is fixed now; after I did a Hyper Scan-it quarantined 3 Trojans. :D. Thanks.
Glad its fixed for you, you’re welcome RandyB.
I did the first step and it didn´t work, in the 2nd, I looked for the rules.reg file but it doesn’t exist, I checked the “enable website protection” and tried to update after the reboot but this doesn’t worked too, so I guess there is a problem with the version and I hope the designers can work to solve it. I will wait for an upper version if it fixes the error because I still consider the Malwarebytes software as one of the best anti- malware software.
kicke Chapper, ensure you’re using the latest version of Malwarebytes, currently it is v2.0.4
Okay, it’s not even possible to follow this suggestion, because my dashboard does not have an “Update Now” button.
Which version of Malwarebytes you’re using on your computer? Ensure you’re using the latest one. If you’re using v1.75 or earlier, click on Update tab and check for updates. Has that helped you?
Experiencing the same problem with 2.0.4.1028. None of the proposed solutions has worked.
Update: I went through the detailed uninstall-clean-reinstall sequence and things are working now. I believe the cause was that there’s always been some indication that MBAM thought it was the Trial version, and just now decided to disallow Pro features. I vaguely remember that entering my ID and Key was somewhat of a hassle when I first installed it, and in the Progams list I equally vaguely recall there was both a trial and paid version listed. During this reinstall I was careful to uncheck the Trial offer (I don’t remember seeing that before), clicked Activate, and entered the ID and Key when requested, and everything works.
Glad MABM is working fine now for you Micahel without showing any issues, you’re welcome.
I have same problem, but more complicated. I get the “Real-Time Protection” & Fix Now does nothing. I change radio button in “Detection & Protection” but they get changed back. I an unable to complete a scan of any type because MBAM quits working. If I righ-click on a folder or file, I should get “Scan with Malwarebytes” but I don’t. I have done steps I & III, but “rules.rel” doesn’t exist. I have uninstalled MBAM version 2.1.6 using MBAM Clean Removal Process. Problems remain. Again, used “Clean Removal” & installed version 2.1.4 – Problems remain. Again, used “Clean removal” & installed Free version. Could not complete a scan, even a short Custom scan. Upgraded Free version to version2.1..6. Problems remain. Did all “Clean Removals & reinstalls yesterday (05/09/15). Today, I am looking for another malware protection program – I give up. I contacted Help last Sunday (05/03/15) about the problem – NO REPLY. Years ago, MBAM used to be a dream come true – Now it is a nightmare.
MBAM scan option for Explorer right click menu is enabled by default, you can also enable it manually, check this screenshot:http://cdn.techdows.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Malwarebytes-Explorer-Context-Menu-Entry-setting.png
Read:https://techdows.com/2014/05/add-malwarebytes-v2-0-scan-option-in-the-explorer-right-click-menu.html
Thank you, but I use Firefox. MBAM still isn’t working. Years ago I was hit with a fake trojan attack on a Vista laptop. I had Norton Security Suite thru Comcast that couldn’t clean it. I searched the web and came across MBAM. Never hear of it, but took a chance. MBAM cleaned my laptop, and it ran perfectly. That’s why I am a die-hard fan. I haven’t given up. Thank you for your efforts.
I have almost given up on getting “Real-Time Protection” to become enabled. I want to try removing MBAM from my StartUp. Will that cause any problems with MBAM? My only progress so far is that now I can right-click on a folder and I get “Scan with Malwarebytes”, so I don’t want to screw that up.
Thank you.
When you use Pro version of MBAM, when you disable it from loading on startup, you’ll miss the real-time protection. If you can launch whenever needed, that’s up to your choice.
Version 2.04 is just as bad as 2.02. The error persists and has no fix.
Come on, the latest version is 2.1.6, upgrade to that version and see if the problem persists.
I have a very similar problem.
I have v2.1.6.1022. It is set to automatically do an update when I start up.
What happens:
o MWB icon shows red “!”.
o Popup says “Protection disabled.” [But it is not]
o Red “!” goes away, but popup still shows.
I have to keep closing that popup every time I start up.
I have deleted the Rules file before, but it just keeps popping up again the next time I reboot.
Both protection options are set, and both are checked in the context menu.
Try to uninstall and reinstall MBAM to see it fixes the problem.
Would uninstalling make me lose all the settings?
What settings you’ve changed after installing MBAM, make a note of them or take screenshots. Its not that difficult to customize settings when you reinstall Malwarebytes.
The latest update (v2.1.8.1057) fixed the problem. Thanks for your help.
Glad to know that you’re welcome.
OK, I have an obvious question. If Real Time protection had been working, it would have BLOCKED the virus that caused this issue, wouldn’t it have? That’s what’s advertised. “Stops malware before it gets there … Even knows to prevent malware from messing with Malwarebytes.” etc. Obviously, that’s not true.
Yes it will caught the viruses in real-time. That’s what the real-time protection is all about.
None of these options worked for me unfortunately but following the instructions to solve a problem while downloading Avast did the trick for Malwarebytes. It was the same hinderance. See article here
https://www.avast.com/faq.php?article=AVKB212
Ok so none of this worked for me. I am running Malwarebytes corporate, I let my son do his homework and he clicked on something that installed a bunch of malware on my laptop and it disabled filesystem protection and malicious website blocking. I have been able to remove just about everything but No matter what I have tried I can’t turn the services back on. Chameleon reports that there is something blocking MBam but it won’t remove it on the scan. Any suggestions??
Have you tried to uninstall and reinstall Malwarebytes?
Unfortunately there are a few plain and clear tech posts in the Web as this one and fortunately there exist experts as You are. We did all points but reinstalled MBAM without uninstalling it. Now it works. Thanks a lot and be happy!
Try this one.
– Turn off all antivirus and then quit malwarebytes.
– Then Turn on Malwarebytes after a minute or two.
– Open Malwarebytes .
– Turn on Web Protection (it will try to turn on) and then turn off scan for rootkits (under the scan options). You will see that the Web Protection will turn on. Now you can turn on the scan for rootkits.
This one worked for me. Could be just a lucky one, but it could be worth a try.
My Malwarebyte ersion is 3.0.6.1469
hello there, whenever i check enable in malcious website protection, it automatically gets disabled right then. The methods given above too aren’t working. Please help…
my version – malwarebytes Anti-Malware (premium) 2.1.4.1018
my database version – v2017.03.07.01
Malwarebytes 2.2.1 is last anti-malware version, try to upgrade to that. I request you to clean install the version. Uninstall current before that. You can find download link for MBAM 2.2.1 here https://techdows.com/2017/01/revert-from-malwarebytes-3-0-to-2-0.html
Hello,
I had this problem for two years, that one of the Malware Protections kept turning off and I couldn’t turn it back on. Rebooting my computer helped, but it was quite annoying. I experimented around and found a new foolproof method: Turn off or exit Malware, and then turn it on again, and the problem is solved in seconds. I have to do this almost daily, but just two clicks and it works like a champ.
Malwarebytes ransomware protection unavailable?
This may be a compatibility mode issue which is an easy fix. Locate the file mbam.exe in the folder C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes\Anti-Malware\, (remember the “mbam.exe file”, in the Anti Malware folder). Right click on the file and select properties. Under Compatibility tab, uncheck the option to run Malwarebytes in compatibility mode. Restart your computer and let me know if the issue has been resolved.
I have tried every method but it didn’t worked. At last i just clicked on “Install Application Updates” button which is located in MBAM settings and all my problems solved.
None of this worked for me. This is the second time this happens to me. besides the steps here this happens also when you got a virus or Trojan that turns it off. The first time it happened, it was a Trojan disguise as a true type font. IRS.TTF or also IR_S.TTF or IR__.TTF
Malwarebytes was not able to find it or remove it. I had to use Warrior from Unhackme and delete it in safe mode. But now I can’t find anything!
No such program file as rules.ref in c:\programData\Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Malwarebytes Premium Version 3.0.6 Suspect these steps are out-of-date wrt Malwarebytes.
That article is written for discontinued Malwarebytes 2.x? How the instructions will be relevant to current version.