Trend Micro Deep Security: Anti-malware Driver Offline Not Installed [portable]
: Run mokutil --sb-state to verify if Secure Boot is active.
: A recent Deep Security Agent (DSA) upgrade or OS patch requires a reboot to load the new kernel drivers.
Or look in:
To move beyond the vague “offline” message, the following steps must be performed on the affected workload:
If Windows Code Integrity or Secure Boot blocks the Trend Micro driver: Open the Windows Event Viewer ( eventvwr.msc ). : Run mokutil --sb-state to verify if Secure Boot is active
I can provide the exact commands and compatibility checks tailored to your environment. Share public link
| Cause | Description | | :--- | :--- | | | The installation process itself was incomplete or damaged, leading to missing files or services. | | Conflicting Software | Other security software (e.g., other AV solutions) or remnants of previous software are blocking the driver. | | Driver Signature Issue | Windows cannot verify the driver's digital signature, preventing installation. This is often due to missing root CA certificates. | | Manual Removal Needed | Standard uninstallation leaves behind registry entries and driver files requiring manual cleanup. | | Secure Boot Policies | UEFI Secure Boot is enabled, but the required DSA signing key is not properly enrolled into the system. | | Outdated Components | The DSM or DSA versions are outdated, incompatible, or missing critical updates. | | VM-Specific Issues | In virtualized environments, issues like the VM entering a standby state or network service deployment errors can cause this. |
: Open Command Prompt as an Administrator and check the status of the Trend Micro core drivers: sc query tmactmon sc query tmevtmgr Use code with caution.
The "Anti-Malware Driver offline / Not installed" error is fixable. Start with a standard reinstallation, then proceed to a manual cleanup if needed. Always consider your specific environment—addressing driver signature issues on Windows, kernel support on Linux, and Guest Introspection in VMware. When all else fails, reach out to Trend Micro Support with a diagnostic package to get expert assistance. I can provide the exact commands and compatibility
If drivers are corrupted or missing, a standard reinstall often fails because files remain locked. Use the Deep Security built-in tool: Open Command Prompt as Administrator. Navigate to the agent directory: cd "C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\Deep Security Agent" Use code with caution. Reset and unbind the agent: dsa_control -r Use code with caution. Uninstall the software via . Reboot the machine.
If this returns no output, the anti-malware engine drivers are not running. Step 2: Verify Kernel Compatibility
The most common cause, often occurring during an update or improper installation.
If you are still experiencing issues, it is recommended to collect the diagnostic package from the agent machine and contact Trend Micro Support. | | Driver Signature Issue | Windows cannot
Download the latest compatible DSA installer ( .msi ) from your Deep Security Manager console. Run the installer and re-activate the agent. Clean Reinstall on Linux
: On the endpoint, navigate to the Control Panel, select Uninstall a Program , and remove the Trend Micro Deep Security Agent .
Comprehensive Guide to Fixing "Trend Micro Deep Security Anti-Malware Driver Offline Not Installed"
Here is a comprehensive, step-by-step technical guide to diagnosing and resolving this issue across Windows and Linux environments. 1. Common Root Causes