How to Fix Memory Integrity Errors on Windows 11

Encountering memory integrity errors on your Windows 11 device can be frustrating, especially if you’re unaware of what they mean or how to fix them. Memory integrity is a key security feature in Windows 11 that helps protect your system from malicious code by preventing unauthorized access to high-level processes or kernel codes. However, this essential feature can sometimes act up, leading to errors or difficulties enabling it.

In this guide, we will walk you through what memory integrity is, why it might cause issues, and most importantly, provide clear, actionable steps to fix those errors. Even if you’re not tech-savvy, this step-by-step article will help you get your system running as it should.

What is Memory Integrity in Windows 11?

Memory integrity is a critical component of Windows 11’s core security feature called Core Isolation. This feature essentially provides hardware-level protection, isolating sensitive part of your system and preventing malicious programs from injecting harmful high-level code into the system kernel.

When memory integrity is functioning, it creates an extra layer of protection, making it difficult for attackers to access your system. However, sometimes users might notice errors like “memory integrity is off”, or they might have difficulties turning it on. That’s when you need to troubleshoot the issue.

Also Read: How to Resolve the “GPEDIT.MSC Not Found” Error on Windows

Why Does “Memory Integrity is Off” Error Occur?

There are several reasons why you might see errors indicating that windows memory integrity is off. Here are a few of the most frequent reasons:

1. Outdated Drivers: If your device drivers are not updated, they might be incompatible with Core Isolation, causing memory integrity to turn off.
2. Third-Party Security Software: In rare cases, certain antivirus programs can interfere with this feature.
3. Unsupported Hardware: Older hardware or missing system requirements might prevent this feature from functioning.
4. Disabled Security Features: You might have inadvertently turned off Core Isolation’s security settings.

If you’re seeing a specific error like “memory integrity can’t be turned on”, it’s likely due to driver or system conflicts. Resolving this error requires a systematic approach, which we’ll explain below.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fix Memory Integrity Errors

Follow these steps carefully to resolve memory integrity errors on your Windows 11 device.

Step 1: Verify Whether Memory Integrity is Enabled

Before you troubleshoot, it’s important to check whether windows 11 memory integrity is off and confirm its current status.

1. Open the Settings app on your Windows 11 device.
2. Navigate to Privacy & Security > Windows Security > Device Security.
3. Locate Core Isolation and click on Core Isolation Details.
4. Check whether the toggle for Memory Integrity is turned on.

If you see that core isolation memory integrity is off, move on to the next steps.

Step 2: Ensure Drivers Are Updated

Outdated or incompatible drivers are a common culprit for memory integrity issues. Use the following steps to address driver-related problems:

1. Update drivers via Windows Update:
   • Go to Settings > Windows Update.
   • Click on Check for Updates to ensure you have the latest drivers installed.
2. Manually update specific drivers:
   • Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
   • Locate devices with a yellow warning icon (these are problematic drivers).
   • Click on the device with the right mouse button, choose ‘Update driver,’ and proceed as directed.

If updating the drivers doesn’t fix the issue, some drivers may need to be uninstalled if they are incompatible.

Step 3: Remove Incompatible Drivers

Certain drivers that are incompatible with memory integrity can prevent the feature from working. To check for and remove incompatible drivers:

1. Identify incompatible drivers:
   • Open Core Isolation Details from the Settings app as outlined above.
   • If a specific driver is causing issues, Windows will display its name.
2. Remove problematic drivers:
   • Go to Device Manager.
   • Find the problematic driver, right-click it, and select Uninstall Device.
   • Reboot your system and confirm whether the issue is resolved.

Also Read: How to Fix ‘This App Can’t Run on Your PC’ Error on Windows

Step 4: Turn Off Third-Party Security Software

If you’re still having issues, certain third-party security tools might conflict with Core Isolation’s functionality. Temporarily disable your antivirus or security software and check if you can enable memory integrity.

• To disable an antivirus:
  1. Open your antivirus software.Navigate to the settings area and look for options to disable real-time protection.
  After confirming the change, restart your computer and check whether windows memory integrity is off.

Step 5: Enable Virtualization in BIOS

Memory Integrity relies on virtualization-based security (VBS) to function properly. If virtualization is disabled in your system BIOS, it can lead to errors like “memory integrity can’t be turned on”. Follow these steps to enable virtualization:

1. Reboot your computer and access the BIOS/UEFI settings menu.
   • Typically, you can do this by pressing one of the function keys (F2, F12, or Esc) during boot-up. The required key is often displayed on the initial boot screen.
2. Once in the BIOS/UEFI menu:
   • Look for a setting called Virtualization Technology (Intel VT-x) or SVM Mode (AMD).
   • Activate it by choosing the option and switching it to the on position.
3. Save your changes and exit the BIOS.
   • Your system will restart. After this, check if you’re able to turn on Memory Integrity in the Windows Security settings.

Step 6: Perform a System Scan for Corrupted Files

Corrupted system files can sometimes interfere with the functionality of Core Isolation and Memory Integrity. To verify that your system files remain uncorrupted:

1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator:
   • Press Win + S, type cmd, and right-click on it to select Run as administrator.
2. Run the System File Checker (SFC) Scan:
   • Type the following command and press Enter:textsfc /scannow
   • The system will scan for corrupted files and repair them automatically.
3. After the scan finishes, reboot your computer and verify if the problem has been fixed.

Step 7: Reinstall Windows Security Features

If none of the above steps work, you may need to reinstall certain Windows security components or reset them to default settings. This step ensures that any misconfigured settings don’t interfere with memory integrity.

1. Open the Windows Powershell as an administrator:
   • Press Win + X, and choose Windows Terminal (Admin).
2. Reset Windows Security components:
   • Run the following command:textGet-AppxPackage Microsoft.SecHealthUI -AllUsers | Reset-AppxPackage
   • This command resets the Windows Security app and its settings.
3. After resetting, navigate to Device Security in the Windows Security app and try enabling Memory Integrity again.

Additional Tips for Fixing Memory Integrity Errors

• Keep Windows Updated: Microsoft regularly releases updates to fix compatibility issues. Always check for and install the latest Windows updates from Settings > Windows Update.
• Check for System Compatibility: If your hardware is outdated and doesn’t support virtualization-based security, you might not be able to enable memory integrity.
• Seek Professional Help: If the issue persists after performing all these steps, you might want to consult a professional technician to diagnose hardware-level issues.

Why is Memory Integrity Important?

Memory integrity is a vital security feature that makes your system more resilient against malware or other potential attacks at the system kernel level. Disabling it or leaving it off for too long could expose your computer to higher risks, especially if you often download files from unknown sources or use the internet extensively without proper security.

Errors like “windows memory integrity is off” or “windows 11 memory integrity is off” must not be ignored. Addressing these issues ensures that your system is protected by one of Windows 11’s best security tools.

Conclusion

Fixing Memory Integrity errors on Windows 11 may seem daunting at first, but with the right steps, you can troubleshoot and resolve the problem efficiently. Whether the error is caused by outdated drivers, incompatible hardware, or disabled virtualization features, this guide provides step-by-step solutions to help you enable this critical security feature.

Remember, resolving errors like “core isolation memory integrity is off”, “memory integrity is off”, or “memory integrity can’t be turned on” is essential for safeguarding your system. By following this guide, you can minimize vulnerabilities and ensure that your Windows 11 operating system is fully protected.

Take the time to fix these errors today and give your PC the security it deserves!