How to Fix the “Trusted Platform Module Has Malfunctioned” Error in Windows

The error, Trusted Platform Module has Malfunctioned usually appears when you try to activate Microsoft Office 365 apps on Windows 11.  

The TPM chipset is available on all Windows PCs as it is crucial to authenticate the platform as a trusted device to run applications. While trying to activate MS Word, Excel, or PowerPoint using the product key, you may encounter issues related to the same error. 

It usually appears when the driver related to the TPM chipset is outdated or cannot authenticate the operation being performed on the PC. Also, there are other factors, such as third-party antivirus software stopping the process from finishing and resolving the errors, etc. 

You may also see error codes like 80090030, 80090016, and 80284001 with the error, making it easy to understand. Fortunately, the issue is not that complex and can be easily resolved. How? Check out the next section to find out!

Read Also: How to Update Intel Chipset Drivers for Windows 11,10,8,7

Ways to Fix the Trusted Platform Module Has Malfunctioned Error in Windows

Knowing that the issues appear while using the Microsoft Office 365 apps, you should first check with the service experts to identify if the key you are using is genuine. You can also rely on Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant to fix the issues.

After using the same, you can reset the Microsoft 365 apps so that they can be easily activated. If you keep receiving the error message repeatedly, try the following fixes to eliminate the trusted platform module that has a malfunctioned error. 

Fix 1 – Disable Antivirus

The first thing to do while activating the apps is disabling your third-party antivirus. Sometimes, the authentication process is interrupted by the antivirus as it detects an activity that is not usual. Hence, it is advised that you disable the firewall shields of your antivirus. You can do the same by visiting the icon tray in the right corner and right-clicking on the antivirus icon. Every antivirus has this option available to disable it for a particular period or until the PC restarts. 

Fix 2 – Clear TPM Data

The Trusted Platform Module is a processor chipset that ensures that you only use the trusted software on the PC. It authenticates every app that you learn to enable proper user control. However, throughout use, the chip often collects data that is damaged. Hence, it may show that the Trusted Platform Module has a Malfunctioned error. Resetting the data can be of great help. 

Step 1 – Go to the Start menu and search for Windows Security.

Step 2 – Navigate to the Device Security option from the main menu.

Step 3 – Click on the Security Processor Details button.

Step 4 – On the opened page, click on Security Processor Troubleshooting.

Step 5 – After navigating to the troubleshooting method, if you have an error pop-up, it will show there. However, if there’s none, you can select the issue manually using the dropdown menu.

Step 6 – After selecting the issue, click on Clear TPM.

Step 7 Read the instructions on the screen and click Clear and Restart.

After doing the same, you should try activating the apps again; the error will not appear this time. If you still come across the Trusted Platform Module with a Malfunctioned error in Windows, do not worry; we have another fix to get the job done. 

Fix 3 – Update the TPM Chipset Driver

If it is recent that you have upgraded to Windows 11, chances are that your PC did not get the chance to update all the hardware drivers. Due to this incompatibility, your TPM chipset might not be working properly, giving you the error codes while activating the applications on the device. 

You can manually navigate to the device manager and check for updates by right-clicking the driver. However, it becomes difficult for an average user to identify the correct driver.

Not to mention, spotting the driver, checking for updates, selecting the update, and installing it is complicated. Hence, we recommend you download and install the Advanced Driver Updater, a unique approach to downloading and installing the drivers on your PC. 

All you have to do is – 

Step 1 – Download and install the application on your PC.

Step 2 – Use the Start Scan Now button to initiate the scan to find all outdated drivers on the PC.

Step 3 – After the scan highlights these outdated drivers, update them instantly using the Update All button. 

The tool will automatically download and install the latest version of the drivers. The best part is that the entire process is reversible, too. Simply use the app to back up the current drivers and then update. If an update does not suit your PC, roll back to the older driver and continue using the application as you see fit. 

Other than these, you can also uninstall and reinstall the TPM Chipset drivers completely. Ensure that the memory integrity option is enabled in Windows security→ Device Security→ Core Isolation as it ensures the proper functioning of activation processes.

Fortunately, with these fixes, you can eliminate the trusted platform module with a malfunctioning error in Windows. If you face any issues with these steps or require assistance, feel free to comment below. 

That will be all for this post. Thanks for reading. Good luck!

Read Also : 

Application Has Been Blocked from Accessing Graphics Hardware Error on Windows – Fixed