Fix the ‘Windows Smartscreen can’t be reached’ error in Windows 10/11

Windows Smartscreen helps check for websites and apps which are harmful to the system. It notifies the user and thereafter the user could decide whether to proceed with the website/app or not. However, users report that they are getting the Windows SmartScreen error while trying to open Microsoft’s own verified applications. If you are facing the error with your windows 10 PC, then try the methods given in the article.

Windows Smartscreen can’t be reachedFix The ‘windows Smartscreen Can’t Be Reached’ Error

Causes

The causes for the issue are as follows:

1] Issues with the Windows account

2] SmartScreen is disabled from Windows Defender Security Center itself

3] Incorrect proxy settings



Try the following steps to resolve the issue:

Solution 1] Check that SmartScreen should be enabled

Before moving to any other cause behind the issue, we need to make sure that SmartScreen is enabled.

1] Search Windows security in taskbar search box and click on it

Windows Security

 

2] Click on App & Browser Control

App Browser

 

3] Click on Reputation based protection settings

Reputaion

 

4] Turn On Smartscreen for Microsoft Store apps

Smartscreen On

5] Also, Turn on Check apps and files option

Check Apps Files

Solution 2] Disable proxy server

Proxy settings could cause the error being discussed here, thus we could disable the proxy server.

1] Press Win + R to open the Run window and copy-paste the following command:

Ms-settings:network-proxy

 

Run Command For Proxy Window

 

 

2] Press Enter to open the Proxy options window.

3]  Under Automatic proxy setup, turn the switch ON for Automatically detect settings.

4] Under Manual proxy setup, turn the switch OFF for Use a proxy server.

 

Proxy Server Settings

 

5] Restart the system and check if the issue has resolved.

Solution 4] Create a new user account

If the issue is with the account being used to log in to the system, try creating a new account and check if it helps.

1] Click on the Start button and then the gear-like symbol to open Windows Settings.

 



Open Accounts Settings

 

2] Go to Accounts >> Family & other people.

3] Select Add someone else to this PC.

Add A New Account

 

4] Follow the steps to create a new account and restart the system.

5] Log in to the system with the new account.