How to Fix Malwarebytes Not Opening Error?

How to Fix Malwarebytes Not Opening Error?

Malwarebytes is a strong utility tool for detecting and removing threats & Malware from your system. But sometimes, users face difficulty in opening the Malwarebytes application and they report about encountering the Malwarebytes not opening error. One of the main reasons behind this error is Malware or virus infection in the system. The malware or virus can infect and disrupt any program’s functioning in your system including the antivirus or system security software/programs. Read below the article in detail to find all the possible solutions for fixing the Malwarebytes won’t open error. You just need to follow the mentioned steps carefully to get rid of Malwarebytes won’t open error. You can also find a step-wise guide on our website to uninstall Malwarebytes, uninstall Malwarebytes on mac, etc.

Solution – 1

Possible Malware and Viruses

If your system is affected by any virus or malware, you may face problem while opening any program or application in your system. When a virus infects your system, it blocks the opening of anti-malware applications and programs. The problem can be simply solved by changing the name of the executable file. 
Step 1– Find the Malwarebytes installation folder by making a right-click on its icon and then choosing the option of Open file location

Step 2– Now, find the mbam.exe file and make a right-click on it then choose the option of Rename from the available menu.

Step 3– You will have to find a name that is related to the Windows core processes such as explorer.exe or .exe so that the file is not blocked by malware.
Step 4– Now see if the Malwarebytes application opens or not. If it opens, click on the scan option that you will find on the home screen of the Malwarebytes application.

Step 5– The Malwarebytes application will run its updating process to update the whole database and then the scan will continue. The scanning process may take a while to detect any malware or virus in your system and then you will have to confirm for removing any detected virus/malware.

Step 6– In the end, reboot your system when everything is done and check if Malwarebytes not opening error is still prevailing.

If the error is still there, you need to move forward and try the solution 2 for getting the expected result. Solution 2 refers to running Malwarebytes Chameleon.

Solution – 2

Try Running Malwarebytes Chameleon

Users can also try the Malwarebytes Chameleon tool provided by Malwarebytes itself. This tool protects your system from various malware and viruses. Below are the steps to download and use the Malwarebytes Chameleon tool.

Step 1– Firstly, you will have to visit the official website of the Malwarebytes for downloading the Malwarebytes Chameleon.

Step 2– When the tool is downloaded, extract its folder.

Step 3– Now, you will have to open the SHM Help File and follow the on-screen instructions.

Step 4– If you can’t open the file, we suggest you open the files by making a double-click or clicking on the enter button of your keyboard until any of the files opens.

Step 5– Follow all the further system guided instructions.
Now if you are still facing the Malwarebytes not opening error. Then, follow the steps of solution 3 and try running the system in Safe Mode.

Solution – 3

Try Running System in Safe Mode

Below are the simple steps to run your system in Safe Mode.

Step 1– Firstly, reboot your system.

Step 2– Now, when the screen displays the Windows logo, you need to hit the F8 key from the keyboard. If your system still starts in the normal mode then you need to follow again the same above-mentioned steps.

Step 3– A black screen will appear with the white text.

Step 4– Click on the Safe Mode button and hit Enter through the keys on the keyboard.
Step 5– The process will take a while. When the process completes, open Malwarebytes application and start a system scan.
The above-mentioned solution will probably fix the Malwarebytes won’t open error. But, if the same problem continues to occur, you can go to solution 4 for the desired result.

Solution – 5

Perform a Clean Install of Malwarebytes 

Many users have tried the reinstallation of the complete Malwarebytes program for fixing the error of Malwarebytes won’t open error and the result has come out to be positive. The error gets removed after the reinstallation of Malwarebytes. You need to note down the Activation key and id if you are using a premium version as that will be needed again in the process of reinstallation. 

Step 1– Firstly, you need to type and search for “regedit” through the search bar and click on it for opening the Registry Editor. You can also use the key combination of Windows key+R for opening the Run dialog box and then type “regedit” and click OK.

Step 2– Now, you need to retrieve your Activation key and id by using any of the below-mentioned locations in the registry.
Location for Windows*86 32-Bit system is:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware
Location for Windows*64 64-Bit system is:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware
After you retrieve the Activation key and id, you can proceed with the further reinstallation process. Follow all the steps carefully to continue using the premium version of Malwarebytes. 

Step 3– Open Malwarebytes and go to My Account. Click on Deactivate. Now, go to Settings, then Advanced Settings. Uncheck the box next to the option of Enable self-protection module.
Step 4– Close the Malwarebytes application and visit the official website of Malwarebytes to download the mbam-clean.exe tool. Close all the running programs/application and disable all other system security tools.
Step 5– Open the mbam-clean.exe tool and then follow the on-screen instructions. Reboot the system when asked to do so.
Step 6– Now, make sure to download the latest version of the Malwarebytes program and install it by following the setup instructions.
Step 7– Uncheck the box next to the option of Trial. Click on the button of Activation after you run the Malwarebytes program. If you were using the trial version then select the option of trial and skip the next steps.
Step 8– You need to enter the Activation key and id that you retrieved already. Your license will activate instantly after you input the Activation key and id.
Step 9– In the end, you can use the Malwarebytes anti-malware software without any hassle.

If you are not a user of the Malwarebytes Pro or Premium version, you can just go with the Steps 3-6 and enjoy the error-free updated version of Malwarebytes.
If the Malwarebytes won’t open error is still not fixed even after following the above-mentioned lengthy solution, then you can try the last solution i.e. creating a new user account.

Solution – 6

Creating a New User Account

You may be encountering Malwarebytes won’t open error due to the corrupt user account in your Windows. The corrupt user account can damage or affect other applications also in your system. We suggest creating a new user account as this will fix your problem and you will be able to use all the programs without any problem. All the data and files will be moved into the folder of the new user account.

Step 1– Press the key combination of Windows key+R to open the Run dialog box. Now, type in cmd in the Run dialog box and press the key combination of Ctrl+Shift+Enter to open the Command prompt as administrator.

Step 2– You need to type control userpasswords2 in the command prompt window and then press enter to gain access to the User Accounts.
Step 3– Click on the Add button and follow the on-screen instructions. Make a selection for the option of “Sign in without a Microsoft Account” for creating a non-Microsoft account.
Step 4– Click on the Next button. Now, select the option of Local account for confirming your choice and fill all the required details.
Step 5– When you finish creating a new user account, type shutdown -L in the command prompt window for logging out from the current account.
Step 6– In the end, login to the newly created account and enjoy using the Malwarebytes application without facing the Malwarebytes won’t open error or any other problem. 

We hope that the Malwarebytes won’t open error is completely removed from your system by following the above-mentioned solutions. But still, there are chances of the error still prevailing in your system due to some other technical issue. No worries, you can get in touch with our ErrorsDoc technical team through live chat support. Our team is ready to provide you with 24*7 expert assistance.  

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