Fix Microsoft Defender Unexpected Error During Android Work Account Setup
Question details
The user is unable to complete the work account setup process because Microsoft Defender displays an unexpected error and fails to establish a VPN, which subsequently blocks other Company Portal applications from authenticating.
- Product
- Microsoft Defender / Intune Company Portal
- Device & OS
- Android (Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE)
- Scenario
- Enrolling an Android tablet into a corporate network using the Intune Company Portal and configuring Microsoft Defender.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Defender displays an "Unexpected error, try later" message after sign-in. The app requests permissions and attempts to configure a VPN, but the VPN connection is never established.
Ensure your Android OS is fully updated and that you have the latest versions of both the Intune Company Portal and Microsoft Defender apps installed. Verify that your device has a stable, unrestricted internet connection before attempting the setup again.
Contact Your Organization's IT Department
Since this involves enterprise enrollment policies, Intune, and a commercial version of Microsoft Defender, your IT administrator must investigate the device logs and conditional access policies.
Company Portal and Microsoft Defender configurations are centrally managed by your organization. If a specific device model, such as a Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE, fails to configure the required VPN while another device succeeds, it often points to a discrepancy in mobile device management (MDM) profiles or device type restrictions.
Take a screenshot of the exact "Unexpected error, try later" message displayed in the Microsoft Defender app.
Note down your specific device model (Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE) and the current Android OS version from your device settings.
Contact your IT helpdesk and provide the screenshot, device details, and an explanation that the Defender VPN configuration is failing and blocking other Company Portal apps.
Submit a Support Request via Microsoft Services Hub
If your internal IT department cannot resolve the issue, they can escalate the enrollment block directly to Microsoft Support for advanced diagnostics.
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- 1. Download the App: Visit the Google Play Store or the official WPS website to download WPS Office for your Android device.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Microsoft Defender fail to configure the VPN on my Samsung tablet?
This error often occurs due to specific Android OS limitations, aggressive battery optimization settings terminating the background process, or incomplete Intune deployment profiles that do not fully support certain tablet models.
Can I bypass Microsoft Defender to use other Company Portal apps?
Generally, no. If your organization uses conditional access policies that require Microsoft Defender to establish a secure connection or verify device health, other Microsoft 365 apps will remain blocked until the Defender setup is successfully completed.
What should I do if Company Portal works on my phone but not my tablet?
Device-specific enrollment issues require your IT department to verify if tablet enrollment is explicitly allowed in the Intune Device Type Restrictions, or to check for known firmware compatibility issues with Microsoft Defender on your specific tablet.
