Error code: 0x800704ec occurs when someone tries to windows defender on for protecting the PC. But unable to turn windows defender on, a message shows an error code: 0x800704ec. I am coming here to address the issue and bring out an effective measure to dissolve the problem. So, let’s make things clear and go to the detail right here.
What is Error Code: 0x800704ec?
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An error code or return code is a numeric or alphanumeric code that aims to determine the nature and reason of an error. There is a vast amount of error code in the Windows operating system from its different action plays. But the error code helps us specify, research, and fix the error. In these aspects, error code: 0x800704ec is a windows operating system notification of an error associated with the Windows Defender firewall. A user may turn off the windows firewall due to various reasons. But when the user comes to turn it on, the windows firewall doesn’t turn on and shows a message with the error code: 0x800704ec. It may occur with any windows version, and at this moment, the firewall icon turned to a grey (inactive) color.
Why Error Code: 0x800704ec Happen?
Although, there is no specific reason responsible for the error occurring. But we may get some background assumption of the causes for the error code: 0x800704ec. After specifying the nature of the problem and researching the error code, the following causes may be responsible for the error code issue.
Wrongly Edit Of The Windows Registry Index.
Windows registry stores and uses its user information, application, and hardware on the computer and uses it continually during the system’s operation. Sometimes, we may need to edit, but due to insufficient knowledge, a user can change the setting or entries of the registry wrongly. So, various mal functionality occurs. In addition, the windows registry may damage or corrupt due to multiple reasons those also led to the error code: 0x800704ec.
Conflict With Third-Party Antivirus.
For the protection of our computers, we often use third-party antivirus. Such antivirus takes control of the security system of the device. But windows defender is also a built-in antivirus of the windows operating system. So, for using both antiviruses at a time arises a conflict between them and the error code: 0x800704ec issue occurs.
Corrupted Or Mismanage Of The Windows Group Policy.
Windows group policy is an administrative tool of the Windows OS. By using this, a user can configure and change various settings of the different areas of the Operating system. But due to inadequate knowledge to handling these settings. It can go wrong, which may be responsible for today’s problem error code: 0x800704ec.
Virus Malware Or Ransomware Infection.
Suppose you are not using any antivirus and do nothing with the registry and group policy of the windows. Then there is a big chance of virus, malware, or ransomware attack and such things happening the problem of error code: 0x800704ec.
How To Fix Error Code: 0x800704ec?
After knowing the possible reason for the problem, it is now time to fix the issue. No matter the reason, by following and implementing the method shown below, you can quickly and effectively fix the error code: 0x800704ec. So, let’s start.
Reinstall Third-Party Antivirus.
The study reveals that, most of the time, a conflict between third-party antivirus and the Windows defender antivirus responsible for occurring the error code: 0x800704ec. So, most of the time, reinstalling the third-party antivirus solves the issue quickly. Hence, for reinstalling the third-party antivirus, follow the step below.
First Phase.
Uninstall The Antivirus.
Uninstall By Apps and Features.
- Right Click Windows Icon Of The Taskbar And Click On Settings.
- Click On App & Features.
- Find Out Desire Antivirus From The App List.
- Click On The Antivirus And Click On Uninstall.
- Now, Follow Screen Appeared Instructions.
Click On Windows Icon Of The Taskbar And Click On Settings. 
Find Out Desire Antivirus From The App List. 
Click On The Antivirus And Again Click On Uninstall.
Uninstall By Control Panel.
- Type Control Panel On Taskbar And Click On Open.
- Select Program And Features.
- Find Out Desire Antivirus From The Programs List.
- Click On The Antivirus And Click On Uninstall.
Type Open Control Panel Om Search Box. 
Click On Programs And Features. 
Find And Select Antivirus Program And Click On Uninstall.
You can also uninstall in two different ways. There are:
- Uninstall By Third-Party Uninstaller.
- Uninstall Using Command Prompt.
If you are using Avast antivirus, follow the steps and procedure described here: How To Uninstall Avast Antivirus.
Second Phase.
Install The Antivirus.
- Go To Official Website Of The Antivirus.
- Click On Download.
- Go To Download Folder.
- Double Click On The Download File.
- Follow The Screen Appeared Instructions.
After completing all phases, look for the problem of the error code. If the problem remains unchanged, then go through with the following step.
Go To Download Folder And Double Click On The Downloaded File.
Remove Present Third-Party Antivirus.
I hope that you have implemented the first method and cannot fix the error code issue. So, now you can remove your third-party antivirus, and it will erase the windows defender error code: 0x800704ec. For removing the third-party antivirus from your system, follow the instruction below.
Remove By Third-Party Uninstaller.
- Open The Third-Party Uninstaller
- Select Desire Antivirus And Click On Uninstall.
- Follow Screen Appeared Instructions.
Open The Third-Party Uninstaller. 
Select Desire Antivirus And Click On Uninstall.
Remove Using Command Prompt.
- Type Command Prompt On Taskbar And Click On Run As Administrator.
- Now, Type wmic And Press Enter.
- Again, Type Command: “Product Get Name” And Hit Enter.
- After That, Type: Product Where Name=” ” Call Uninstall And Hit Enter
NB: At the Inside name ” “ you must write the exact name of software you want to uninstall from the displayed list. Otherwise, you can’t make it work. The Command will be: product where name=”Bitdefender Antivirus” call uninstall.
Above said method will works on Windows XP Professional, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Server 2008.
Additional two ways for removing third-party antivirus program:
- Remove By Apps and Features.
- Remove By Control Panel.
Change Third-Party Antivirus.
After removing your third-party antivirus, if the problem dissolves, then for the future corrective measure, change the present third-party antivirus. This change will prevent you from re-occurring the current error code 0x800704ec180 issue. There are plenty of third-party antivirus available on the internet. Choose one of them as per your choice.
Check And Repair Corrupted System Files.
After implementing all the above-said methods, if your error code issue does not wipe out, there’s something with the system file of the windows operating system. In this regard, you must check and repair system files for damage. Most of the time, system file corruption may lead to the windows error code 0x800704ec issue, and by taking some simple steps, you can fix it quickly. Hence, follow the step accordingly as below.
- Type Command Prompt On Taskbar And Click On Run As Administrator.
- After That, Type The Following Command And Press Enter On Keyboard.
Sfc /scannow
- Again Type The Following Command And Press Enter.
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
- After Completing Process, Close The Command Prompt.
- Restart The Computer.
Refresh Windows Defender Services.
You can refresh the windows defender services by stopping and starting the services. There are five kinds of services elements of the windows defender. So, if the services or one of the services stopped, you must start it to get the windows defender active. In this regard, you must check, stop, and start following each service.
- Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection Service
- Antivirus Network Inspection Service
- Antivirus Service
- Windows Defender Firewall
- Security Center Service
For checking and refreshing the above-said services, follow the instructions given below.
- Right Click On Start Icon Of The Taskbar.
- Click On Run.
- Type The Command services.msc
- Press Enter On Keyboard.
- Find Out The Desire Services.
- Right, Click On It.
- Click On Start (If It Is Not Start).
- Click On Refresh (If It Is Start).
- After Completing The Process, Close The Services Window.
- Restart The Computer.
After implementing all steps, check for the windows error code 0x800704ec problem to persist or not. In the issue, remain unchanged the follow the following method.
Change Registry Editor Settings.
If there is something wrong with the registry editor, you must check it and make it correct. Thus, for checking to correct the registry editor setting of the Windows Defender, follow the instructions below.
- Type Registry Editor On Taskbar.
- Click On Run As Administrator.
- Click On Yes (For Administrative Privilege Permission).
- Navigate To The Following Path.
HKey_Local_Machine\\Software\\Policies\\Microsoft\\Windows Defender
- Now, Double Click On REG_SZ (On The Right Side).
- After That, Change The Value To 0.
- Click On OK And Close The Registry Editor.
- Restart The Computer.
After completing the change in the Registry Editor setting, now look at the problem of windows error code 0x800704ec. If the issue dissolves, then ok, it not then implements the following step.
Change Group Policy Settings.
One of the most prominent reasons for the problem arising from the error code: 0x800704ec is group policy settings. So, changing group policy will be adequate to diminish the windows error code 0x800704ec. To do the same, follow the steps below.
- Log-in To User Account As Administrator.
- Type gpedit.msc On Taskbar And Click On Run As Administrator.
- Go To Local Computer Policy.
- Click On Administrative Templates.
- After That, Click On Windows Components.
- Again, Click On Windows Defender.
- Now, Double Click On Windows Defender Antivirus.
- Click On Disable (From Appeared Window).
- Finally, Click On Ok.
- Close The Group Policy Editor.
- Restart The Computer.
You may also read : How To Login As Administrator In Windows 10.
Final Words.
There are a lot of issues that may arise with different error codes on the device with the Windows operating system. But all issues have an effective dissolving method and ways. And you can get rid of the error code: 0x800704ec by implementing the methods I describe here. Now it is your turn to fix the error by which you are suffering right now. So, have a good day and also Good Luck!