Fix: ‘Smartscreen Can’t Be Reached Right Now’ issue

This article will show you how to Fix ‘Smartscreen Can’t Be Reached Right Now’ issue. When trying to open built-in Microsoft apps like Alarm, Photos, Maps, Mail, etc., many users have been having trouble with the SmartScreen program. There is an error message that says “Windows SmartScreen can’t be reached right now.” You can choose to run the app anyway or not. Most of the time, this error is caused by having a bad or no internet connection. If you want to know more information about this issue so you can visit Microsoft Official Website.

Other things that could cause the problem are security settings that aren’t set up right, SmartScreen being turned off by the user or a newly installed malware program, interference from proxy servers, SmartScreen being down for maintenance, etc. With the number of phishing and virus attacks on the internet going up, Microsoft had to step up its game and make sure that its users wouldn’t fall victim to any kind of web-based attack. Windows SmartScreen is a cloud-based application that comes with all versions of Windows 10 and 11.

It protects you from all kinds of attacks when you use Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer to surf the web. The program prevents you from going to dangerous websites and downloading suspicious files or programs from the internet. When SmartScreen is sure that something is dangerous, it blocks it completely. If it isn’t sure about an application, it will show you a warning message and let you choose whether to continue or not. We mentioned below are the ways how to Fix ‘Smartscreen Can’t Be Reached Right Now’ issue.

What is SmartScreen?

SmartScreen is a part of Windows 8 (8.1) and Windows 10 that uses the cloud to protect against phishing and malware. This security part is also used by Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, and Outlook.com. When SmartScreen is down or can’t be reached on an end user PC, neither official nor unofficial channels can be used to download anything. This is one way that Microsoft protects its customers.

So, even if you have an antivirus program installed, SmartScreen will give you the latest information on threats because it connects to Microsoft’s servers every time it scans. SmartScreen will show an error message that says “SmartScreen can’t be reached right now” if it can’t connect to Microsoft. It will also tell you who made the app and what it is called. That way, you’ll be able to choose Run or Don’t run with more thought.

What causes the “Smartscreen Can’t Be Reached Right Now” error?

1. Internet Connectivity Issues: If your computer is not connected to the internet or has a weak/interrupted internet connection, it may result in the SmartScreen feature being unable to reach Microsoft’s servers to verify URLs and files.
2. Firewall or Proxy Settings: Sometimes, certain firewall or proxy configurations may block SmartScreen from accessing Microsoft servers, leading to the error.
3. Date and Time Settings: Incorrect date and time settings on your computer can cause issues with SmartScreen’s ability to connect to the servers.
4. Regional Restrictions: In some cases, SmartScreen may be restricted or unavailable in certain regions or countries.
5. Third-Party Antivirus or Security Software: Certain third-party antivirus or security software might interfere with SmartScreen’s functionality, causing the error.
6. Windows Update Issues: If your Windows operating system is not up to date, it can cause conflicts with SmartScreen.

Fix: ‘Smartscreen Can’t Be Reached Right Now’ issue

Creating a new Windows user account

1. Press the Windows key and the letter R to bring up the Run box.
2. Next, type or paste “ms-settings:otherusers” and hit Enter to open the Family & other people tab in the Accounts menu.
3. Next, click Add someone else to this PC, and then click I don’t know how to sign in as this person.
4. Put in the user’s email address, password, country, and date of birth, then click the Next button again.
5. When you’re done making your new Windows account, click the Start button, click the account button, and then choose Sign out.
6. Now, on the screen where you sign in, choose your newly made account to log in.
7. Once you’re logged in, try to open a Windows app to see if the problem is fixed.

Making sure that SmartScreen is enabled

1. Press the Windows key and the letter R to bring up the Run box.
2. Next, type “ms-settings:windowsdefender” and press Enter to open the Settings app’s Windows Security tab.
3. Under Windows Security, click the Open Windows Defender Security Center button.
4. Click on App & browser control in the Windows Defender Security Center.
5. Check that the toggle for Check apps and files is set to Warn. Then, check to see if SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge and SmartScreen for Microsoft Store apps work the same way.
6. If SmartScreen was turned off, restart your computer after making the changes and check to see if the error is gone when Restart the computer.

Disable proxy server

1. Press the Windows key and the letter R to bring up the Run box.
2. Then, type or copy “ms-settings:network-proxy” and press Enter to open the Settings app’s Proxy tab.
3. Scroll down to Manual proxy setup in the Proxy tab and make sure that the Use a proxy server switch is turned off.
4. Restart your computer and see if the problem is still there when it starts up again.

Why is it important to fix this issue?

1. Security: Microsoft Windows’ Smartscreen is a security feature that helps keep users safe from dangerous websites and downloads. When it isn’t working right, your system could be vulnerable to security risks. By fixing the problem, you’ll make sure Smartscreen can block harmful content and keep your system safe.
2. Malware Protection: Smartscreen is a key part of finding and blocking software and files that could be harmful. If you can’t get to it or it doesn’t work, malware, adware, or other unwanted software may be more likely to get on your computer.
3. Safe Browsing: Smartscreen helps you stay safe when you’re surfing the web by alerting you to websites that might be dangerous. If the feature doesn’t work, you might end up on harmful sites without knowing it, which could hurt your privacy and security.
4. Data protection: Bad websites and downloads can be used to steal sensitive information like login credentials or personal data. By fixing the ‘Smartscreen Can’t Be Reached Right Now’ problem, you make it less likely that you will be attacked in this way.
5. System Performance: A broken Smartscreen can sometimes cause problems with the way the operating system works. By fixing the problem, the system will be more stable and run better overall.

Questions and Answers