How to Fix Microsoft Defender Tunnel Not Starting in Intune
Question details
An organization is unable to start the Microsoft Defender Tunnel on managed devices via Microsoft Intune.

- Product
- Microsoft Intune / Microsoft Defender
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Administrators are deploying Microsoft Defender Tunnel for enterprise device security and network access.
- Observed behavior
- The Microsoft Defender Tunnel fails to turn on or start on the target devices, disrupting secure connectivity.
Ensure you have administrator access to the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center and that the affected devices are actively enrolled and connected to the internet.
Review Intune Configurations and Device Compliance
Verify that all required profiles, assignment groups, and compliance policies are correctly applied in Intune.
The Defender Tunnel requires strict adherence to deployment policies. Any misconfiguration in the assigned groups or non-compliance status of the device will block the tunnel from initializing.
Sign in to the Microsoft Endpoint Manager (Intune) admin center with your administrator credentials.
Navigate to 'Devices' > 'Configuration profiles' and locate your Microsoft Defender Tunnel profile. Ensure all settings match your organizational requirements.
Click on the specific profile and select 'Assignments'. Verify that the correct user groups or device groups are included and that there are no conflicting exclusions.
Go to 'Devices' > 'Compliance policies'. Ensure the affected devices are marked as 'Compliant' and resolve any flagged security or configuration issues.

Inspect Device and Tunnel Diagnostic Logs
Analyze the local diagnostic logs on the affected device to identify specific network or configuration errors.
Consult Microsoft Q&A Communities
Escalate the issue to specialized Microsoft technical communities for advanced configuration support.
Looking for a Reliable and Cost-Effective Office Suite?
While resolving complex enterprise IT deployments like Intune and Defender, ensure your teams have access to a lightweight, easy-to-use office suite. WPS Office is a highly compatible and free alternative to Microsoft Office, perfect for businesses aiming to streamline their software overhead.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installer for your operating system.
- 2. Install the Application: Run the setup file and follow the straightforward on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
- 3. Start Working: Open WPS Office to instantly start creating, editing, or viewing your essential business documents.

Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Microsoft Defender Tunnel require device compliance in Intune?
Intune relies on compliance policies to verify that a device meets the organization's security baseline. If a device is non-compliant, conditional access policies will block the Defender Tunnel from starting to protect corporate resources.
Where can I find the Defender Tunnel configuration profiles?
You can locate and manage these profiles in the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center by navigating to 'Devices', then 'Configuration profiles'.
Can an expired certificate stop the Defender Tunnel from working?
Yes, the Defender Tunnel relies on valid certificates for authentication. If the root or client certificates deployed via Intune are expired or misconfigured, the tunnel will fail to connect.
Is WPS Office compatible with enterprise security tools like Microsoft Defender?
Absolutely. WPS Office operates as a standard desktop application and works seamlessly alongside endpoint protection solutions, including Microsoft Defender, without triggering false alarms.




