The internet is filled with malware-infected websites and harmful and unwanted content that is easily downloadable.
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen is used to safeguard against such nasty threats. But, when it doesn’t work as it should and returns the error message – SmartScreen can’t be reached right now. Check your internet connection. Microsoft Defender SmartScreen is unreachable and can’t help you decide if this app is ok to run.
Here, we will look at some of the best ways you can fix the issue to steer clear of any malicious threats in the future. But before you discuss the various ways to resolve the issue, let’s learn a little about this feature.
What is Windows SmartScreen? And, How Does It Work?
Windows SmartScreen analyzes the web pages that you visit for any suspicious behavior. If it finds the page to be suspicious, it warns you promptly. It can check suspicious websites and files against a dynamic list of reported phishing and malicious software sites. Furthermore, it checks downloaded files against a list of files downloaded frequently.
Here are some of the benefits of using Microsoft Defender SmartScreen –
- Protect users from users from sites that are reported to host phishing attacks.
- It exercises reputation-based URL and app protection by evaluating the website’s URL and checking the digital signature of downloaded files to ascertain if they are safe.
- The SmartScreen constantly evolves and learns about ongoing vulnerabilities.
- Uses both group policy and Microsoft Intune settings.
Now that you have a basic idea of the SmartScreen filter in Windows Security. Here are the steps you can take if you get the error “SmartScreen can’t be reached right now.” on your Windows PC.
How to Bypass Windows SmartScreen Can’t Be Reached Right Now
Method No.1 – Enable SmartScreen Filter, If Not Already Enabled
It could be that you have not enabled the SmartScreen, so you have run into the “Windows SmartScreen Unreachable?” error. Here, we will discuss two ways to enable Windows Defender SmartScreen on Windows 11/10.
– Enable SmartScreen Via Windows Security Settings
Step 1 – In the Windows search bar, type Windows Security and click Open from the right-hand side.
Step 2 – Click on App & browser control. 
Step 3 – Under Reputation-based protection, click on Reputation-based protection settings. 
Step 4 – Toggle on the switch next to SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge. 
– Enable SmartScreen In Microsoft Edge
Step 1 – Open the Microsoft Edge browser on your computer.
Step 2 – Click the three horizontal dots at the screen’s top right corner.
Step 3 – Click on Settings.
Step 4 – Click the hamburger icon at the top left and select Privacy, search, and Services.
Step 5 – Scroll down and under Security, check if you have toggled on the switch next to Microsoft Defender SmartScreen. If not, toggle it on.
Writer’s Tip – Use An Alternative Antivirus Tool To Stay Out of Harms Way
Until you fix the issue, we urge you to switch to an alternative antivirus software so that you don’t stumble upon a malicious URL or accidentally download a file that may jeopardize your computer and its content.
T9 Antivirus, for instance, is one of the best lightweight Antivirus software that can help you stay protected from all kinds of malicious threats.
- Active web protection that protects users from potentially malicious sites.
- Custom Scan lets you scan specific files and folders if you suspect malicious threats.
- Firewall Protection helps block dangerous applications and trackers from accessing your network.
- Exploit Protection protects your system from any malware that infects devices through flaws.
As is evident, T9 Antivirus can be an excellent protection should you get the error “Windows SmartScreen can’t be reached”.
These are just a few of the great features that T9 Antivirus has to offer. To learn more, you can check our comprehensive review of T9 Antivirus, in which we have discussed the various features in greater detail.
Method No.2 – Check Your Internet Connection
If you look at the error, you can infer that one of the reasons for using the Windows SmartScreen filter is to have a stable internet connection. If the internet is unstable in your area or you are facing some other issues related to your internet connection, you may come across the message “SmartScreen can’t be reached right now.” If your PC can’t connect to the internet, here are some fixes you can try.
Method No.3 – Try Creating A New Windows Account
Although not a common occurrence, there could be inconsistencies with your existing Windows account. This could be why you get the “Windows SmartScreen can’t be reached right.” To create a new user account, follow the steps mentioned below –
Step 1 – Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
Step 2 – From the left pane, click on Accounts. 
Step 3 – Scroll down, and click on Other users.
Step 4 – On the next screen, click on Add account next to Add other users.
Step 5 – Follow the on-screen instructions.
Method No.4 – Disable Proxy Server
Specific proxy servers have been reported to interfere with the SmartScreen filter. Hence, you can also try turning off the proxy server to get rid of the ‘Windows SmartScreen can’t be reached right now’ error. We already have a dedicated post where we have talked about various ways to turn off proxy servers. Not only that, but we have also discussed how you can deal with the proxy server that keeps turning on.
Have You Been Able to Fix The “SmartScreen Can’t Be Reached Error”
We agree that a user needs robust protection when surfing the web or downloading files. That said, you should always keep your options open. This means, if for once, you are not able to use the Windows Defender SmartScreen, you can quickly enforce an alternate protection like T9 Antivirus. Meanwhile, you can use the fixes we have mentioned above to resolve the issue. If you found value in this post, do let us know in the comments section below.
