How to Fix Memory Integrity Cannot Be Turned On

What Causes This?

Memory Integrity, also called HVCI, usually fails to turn on because Windows detects an incompatible driver that could break virtualization-based security. It can also be blocked if hardware virtualization is disabled in BIOS/UEFI, if core Windows security features are turned off, or if system files are damaged. In some cases, old device drivers left behind by removed hardware are the real cause.

Common Symptoms

• The Memory integrity toggle in Windows Security will not stay on
• Windows shows Resolve any driver incompatibilities or a similar warning
• You see a list of blocked or incompatible drivers in Core isolation
• Security features like Core isolation or Virtualization-based security appear unavailable
• After restarting, Memory Integrity is still off

How to Fix It Manually

1. Check which driver is blocking Memory Integrity

   1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
   2. Go to Privacy & security > Windows Security > Device security.
   3. Under Core isolation, click Core isolation details.
   4. If Windows lists an incompatible driver, write down the driver file name and publisher.

2. Update or remove the incompatible driver

   1. Press Windows key + X and click Device Manager.
   2. Look for the related device based on the driver name or publisher. Check sections like Display adapters, Network adapters, Sound, video and game controllers, and Storage controllers.
   3. Right-click the device and choose Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.
   4. If no update is found, visit the PC or hardware maker’s support site and install the latest Windows 10/11 driver manually.
   5. If the hardware is no longer used, right-click it in Device Manager and choose Uninstall device.

3. Remove leftover driver packages

   1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator: press Windows key, type cmd, then click Run as administrator.
   2. Run:

      pnputil /enum-drivers

   3. Find the published name that matches the incompatible driver, such as oem12.inf.
   4. Remove it with:

      pnputil /delete-driver oem12.inf /uninstall /force

   5. Restart your PC after removing the driver.

4. Make sure virtualization is enabled

   1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
   2. Click the Performance tab, then select CPU.
   3. Check Virtualization. If it says Disabled, restart your PC and enter BIOS/UEFI setup.
   4. Enable Intel VT-x, Intel Virtualization Technology, AMD-V, or SVM Mode, then save changes and boot back into Windows.

5. Repair Windows system files

   1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
   2. Run these commands one at a time:

      DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
      sfc /scannow

   3. Wait for both scans to finish, then restart your PC.

6. Turn Memory Integrity on again

   1. Go back to Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security > Device security > Core isolation details.
   2. Turn on Memory integrity.
   3. Restart if Windows asks, then check that the setting stays enabled.

Fix It Automatically with Kudu

Kudu can scan your system for incompatible drivers, leftover driver packages, and security settings that stop Memory Integrity from turning on. Instead of hunting through Device Manager and command-line tools yourself, it helps identify the exact cause and applies the fix faster.

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