Fixing Security Center Validation Errors in Windows
So, if you’re seeing the “Security Center failed to validate caller” error, especially with that pesky error code DC040780, yeah, it’s pretty irritating. Normally, it’s like Windows just refusing to validate itself and can come from system glitches or even interference from third-party security tools. I ran into this myself after updating some antivirus software—got really stuck for a bit. Luckily, there are a few tricks that pretty much cover most scenarios, although figuring out which one works can sometimes be a bit of a trial-and-error thing.
Impact of Third-Party Antivirus Programs
This one’s super common. Third-party antiviruses and security apps tend to mess with Windows security services behind the scenes. They might tweak registry entries, disable certain services, or prevent the Security Center from getting its validation stuff done properly. I’ve seen Norton, McAfee, even some lesser-known free antiviruses cause this exact problem. The first thing I’d suggest trying is to uninstall or at least disable these programs temporarily. Yeah, I know it’s not ideal security-wise, but sometimes the only way to see if they’re causing the issue is to turn them off for a bit.
To do that, go into Settings > Apps > Installed apps or via the old Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall. Find your security software, click on it, and choose uninstall. Most antiviruses have their own removal tools—you’ll find those on their websites if needed. Alternatively, disabling them temporarily from their own settings (look for options like “Disable real-time protection” or similar) can also do the trick. Restart after uninstalling/disabling and check if the error clears. If it does, then you know your security software was likely blocking or interfering with Windows Validation.
Disabling Windows Security via Registry Hacks
If removing or disabling external AV doesn’t help, the next step I tried was messing around in the registry. Yeah, I get it—sounds scary. But if you’re careful, it’s manageable. Just make sure to back up your registry first because it’s easy to break things otherwise. To access it, press Windows + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
Navigate through these keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SecurityHealthService
Once there, look for the value Start. Double-click and change the data from whatever it is (probably a 2 or 3) to 4. That basically disables the Security Center service — Think of it as turning off the validation and alerts part of Windows Security temporarily, just to test if it’s the cause.
Same goes for wscs within HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services. Find the start value, double-click it, and set it to 4. After these changes, restart your PC — honestly, my experience is that sometimes a full reboot is what kicks everything into effect. If the error disappears, then maybe it’s the Security Center service causing the validation mess. Just remember, these tweaks are just for testing — don’t leave them like this permanently, or your security warnings will be gone but so will some protection.
Troubleshooting in Clean Boot State
Now, if registry editing sounds too risky, or you want a safer, less invasive way, try a clean boot. Basically, you’re starting Windows with only the essential services running—no third-party crap or unnecessary background apps. Helps narrow down whether some third-party interference is behind the validation errors.
To do that, launch msconfig (type it into Start menu or Run). Under the General tab, select “Selective startup,” then uncheck “Load startup items.” Switch to the Services tab, check “Hide all Microsoft services” — because you want to leave Windows’ core stuff alone — then click “Disable all”. Hit OK, then restart. This puts you in a nearly stock Windows environment. If the validation error is gone now, it’s probably one of the third-party apps you disabled. Re-enable services gradually to find the culprit.
Updating BIOS—A Slightly Risky Fix
If none of the above work, there’s a small chance your BIOS is out of date and causing issues with how security services interact at a very low level. Updating BIOS isn’t straightforward and definitely not safe if you’re not comfortable flashing firmware. I’d only recommend this if you’re comfortable with risking a brick—and only as a last resort.
Head over to your motherboard manufacturer’s website (like ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte) and find the latest BIOS update. They usually provide a firmware file and instructions. The process often involves creating a bootable USB with a special tool or running an update utility from within Windows. During the process, make sure your machine is plugged into power—disruptions during BIOS flashing are bad news.
Check your current BIOS version (via msinfo32) and compare with the latest. Only consider this if you’ve tried everything else and still have issues, because it’s a bit of a technical risk.
Contacting Support for Third-Party Security Software
If nothing else works, and you suspect your security software is really behind the validation problems, don’t hesitate to reach out to their support. Vendors like Norton, McAfee, Kaspersky, whatever you use may have specific patches or hidden settings you need to tweak. Prepare your error details, system info, and whatever logs you can gather. Sometimes they’ve seen this issue before and already have a fix or workaround. Might save a bunch of frustration.
All in all, troubleshooting these Windows security validation errors can become a bit of a headache—tried multiple things myself late at night. The key is patience and following each step carefully. Make sure to back up stuff first, especially the registry before making changes, and if you’re going to mess with BIOS, do your homework. Anyway, hope one of these tips gets your Security Center validation back on track. It took me way longer than I’d like to admit, but now at least I know what to check first. Good luck — and don’t give up!