[Solved] Device Security Page Not Available on Windows 11 & 10

Microsoft's Windows Security has excellent features for safeguarding your computer against malware. Device security is only one of them. However, many users have reported a Windows 11 Device security "Page not available" error, worrying about potential malware slipping through the cracks. Fewer Windows 10 users have also encountered it.

The good news is you can fix the problem and eliminate the error with several proven methods. Before exploring them, let's dive deeper into Windows Security and the causes of the Device security "Page not available" nuisance.

What Is Windows Security?

Windows Security is a built-in protection system with many features for keeping your computer and data under a safe shield. They include:

• Virus and threat protection;
• Account protection;
• Firewall and network protection;
• App and browser control;
• Device security;
• Device performance and health;
• Family options.

Each has multiple functionalities, but all focus on protecting your device against threats like malicious software and ensuring its top-notch performance and long-term health.

For instance, Device security lets you manage built-in hardware security. That includes core isolation (e.g., memory integrity, memory access protection, firmware protection, and Microsoft Defender Credential Guard), secure boot, and a security processor or TPM (Trusted Platform Module).

However, this feature sometimes experiences hiccups, potentially opening a backdoor to cyber threats. Let's review the primary causes.

Causes of the Device Security "Page Not Available" Error

Device security "Page not available" error prevents you from managing Windows hardware security features. Device security shows a safety recommendation (a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark), stating "your device may be vulnerable."

Clicking Dismiss does nothing. However, clicking Go to Settings activates a "Page not available" pop-up explaining the problem. For instance, it might warn you that memory integrity or LSA (Local Security Authority) is off.

You might also get a message that Device security has no supported features. Clicking through takes you to a page with a "Standard hardware security not supported" section explaining that your computer doesn't meet the requirements.

Here's why the Device security "Page not available" error occurs:

• Hardware incompatibility – Your PC may not meet the hardware requirements, like a TPM 2.0.
• Obsolete software or firmware – Outdated drivers are typically the usual suspects. Still, any update should resolve the problem.
• Turned-off security features – For instance, turning off secure boot or memory integrity can affect your computer's security capability. A group policy can also turn off Microsoft Defender Antivirus.
• Modified BIOS or UEFI settings – Configuring the BIOS to CSM (Compatibility Support Module) or Legacy mode, not enabling TPM hardware in UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface), and turning off hardware virtualization support in the BIOS can cause the infamous error.
• Third-party antivirus interference – Although Microsoft Defender Antivirus turns off automatically when you install another antivirus software, that third-party app might be incompatible with Windows Security.
• Blocked features by your IT admin – Many IT administrators within organizations and educational institutions often use group policies to restrict access to system settings, user accounts, and apps.
• Malware – This list wouldn't be complete without malware. Besides deleting and extracting files and causing data corruption, malicious software can turn off various security features in your system.

Review your Windows Security settings, BIOS or UEFI, and other protection layers to ensure everything is in order. Also, install the latest updates to prevent Microsoft Defender Antivirus from turning off critical features like memory integrity due to dated drivers.

Here's what to do if the issue persists.

How to Fix the Device Security Page

The following proven methods will help you restore your Device security page on Windows 10 or 11, removing the annoying error.

Repair Windows Security

The Device security "Page not available" message sometimes displays because the Windows Security app doesn't work correctly. If yours is acting up, you can repair it with these steps (available only on Windows 11):

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
2. Click the meatballs menu (the three horizontal dots) > Advanced options under Windows Security.

   

3. Click Repair under Reset to fix the app.

   

4. Restart your computer.

Reset Windows Security

If the method above doesn't work or you use Windows 10, resetting the Windows Security app might do the trick, although it will delete app data. The steps on Windows 11 are nearly identical to repairing Windows Security:

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
2. Click the meatballs menu (the three horizontal dots) > Advanced options under Windows Security.

   

3. Click Reset.

   

4. Restart your PC.

The path on Windows 10 is slightly different:

1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Settings.

   

2. Click Reset.

   

3. Restart your PC.

Use the Local Group Policy Editor

The Local Group Policy Editor is a built-in utility for configuring comprehensive Windows settings in newer operating systems. As an MMC (Microsoft Management Console) snap-in, it lets you manage multiple services in one centralized place.

However, it turns off Microsoft Defender Antivirus whenever you install third-party antivirus software, sometimes causing the Device security page error.

Here's how to reconfigure that setting:

1. Use the Windows + R keyboard shortcut to launch the Run dialog box.
2. Type gpedit.msc and click OK.
3. Navigate to Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Defender Antivirus in the left sidebar.
4. Double-click the "Turn off Microsoft Defender Antivirus" setting.

   

5. Click the Disabled radio button and hit Apply > OK.

   

6. Restart your PC.

Turn Off Your Antivirus

Turning off antivirus software might eliminate the Device security page error if third-party app interference is at play. Here's the fastest Avast example, and the steps for other programs are nearly identical:

1. Double-click the antivirus icon in the system tray.
2. Select Avast shield control and specify how long your PC will be without protection.

   

Some antivirus tools like AVG have a convenient toggle switch in the system tray, letting you turn them on and off in two clicks.

Use the SFC and DISM

The SFC (System File Checker) is a built-in command-line utility for eliminating system errors. Besides scanning for missing Windows OS files, it troubleshoots them to identify potential problems like corruption and runs repairs accordingly.

DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) is another valuable command-line utility. It can help you fix any corrupted file that slips through the SFC's fingers. Additionally, it relies on Windows Update to install the latest system files.

Here's how to leverage these tools:

1. Run the Command Prompt (CMD) as an administrator.
2. Run the following command: scf /scannow . Once it scans your system, it will replace lost or corrupted files with their cached copies.
3. Run this command: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth.

   

Both tools will take their time, so be patient and don't close the CMD until you see 100% progress.

📍Bonus Advice: How to Recover Lost Data Due to a Virus

If a virus infects your system, the Device security "Page not available" error will be the least of your worries. Besides potentially modifying your security features, a computer virus might delete or hide your data, amplifying your concerns.

Fortunately, you can recover lost data with Wondershare Recoverit, a prominent solution to data loss in 500+ situations, including virus infections. It's intuitive, compatible with 2,000+ devices, supports 1,000+ file types, and lets you recover 100 MB of data during a free trial.

Therefore, download it from the official Wondershare platform, install it on your PC, and follow these steps to recover data:

1. Go to Hard Drives and Locations > Start and select the desired medium to initiate scanning.



2. Filter the results by Image name, type, size, tag, status, or time, or let the software find all retrievable items.



3. Preview the found data and hit Recover.



4. Browse your PC for a safe location (not the one you've used as a recovery source) and click Recover.

   

Conclusion

Troubleshooting the Device security "Page not available" error on Windows 11 (and sometimes Windows 10) can be tricky because you might find changes in multiple settings. To make matters worse, external threats like malware can wreak havoc on your system, turning off critical security features and wiping data.

The solutions above are your best allies in those unexpected situations, so embrace them to enhance your security. Try them in descending order, from repairing or resetting Windows Security and reconfiguring Microsoft Defender Antivirus' local group policy to turning off your antivirus and running SFC and DISM commands.

Finally, leverage Wondershare Recoverit to retrieve lost data if a virus or another malware enters your system while your Device security shields are down.