The most common reason for this warning is having some options turned off in the “App & Browser Control” section, especially under Reputation-based protection. Other possible reasons include not finishing a security scan, having updates that need to be installed, or turning off Core Isolation settings. In this article, we will discuss how to solve this problem.
1. Install Pending Updates
Before trying more advanced troubleshooting steps, we recommend installing any pending system updates. Sometimes, the “Action recommended” warning appears simply because recent system or threat protection updates have not been installed. Once you have installed all available Windows updates, you should also check for any pending security updates. You can also manually force security definition updates and clear the current cache.
2. Refresh Windows Defender Firewall Actions
If the problem is caused by a minor glitch within the Windows Defender Firewall, refreshing the firewall actions may resolve it. That’s it! The yellow exclamation mark and Action recommended warning should disappear.
3. Use a Third-Party Security Program
Sometimes, the yellow exclamation mark on the Windows Defender icon means there’s a security issue on your computer that Windows Defender alone can’t resolve. If this is the case, running a scan with a third-party antivirus utility is a good idea. We have already created a guide on the best antivirus programs you can use for extra help.
4. Reset the Security Application
If nothing else works, resetting the Windows Security application could fix any corruption or errors causing the Action recommended warning. We’ll use Windows PowerShell for this process. Resetting the security app will return it to its original default state. This process won’t affect your personal files or most settings.
