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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: fillup on May 04, 2013, 04:28:34 AM

Title: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: fillup on May 04, 2013, 04:28:34 AM
Windows Action Center has started complaining that my spyware and antivirus protection is turned off.  I can turn on Windows Defender, but not Avast.  If I open Avast it says the system is Secure...everything up to date...all shields active.  This problem started after Avast downloaded the 8.0.1488 update.  I've tried uninstalling Avast, downloading the 8.0.1488 installer and reinstalling.  I tried it 3 or 4 times now.  This is on a new Acer laptop running Windows 8 64 bit.

Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: Staticguy on May 04, 2013, 06:35:17 AM
Did you run the avast uninstaller utility?
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: fillup on May 04, 2013, 07:01:27 AM
I initiated the uninstall from the usual place...Programs and Features. That brought up the Avast menu with the options to update/change/repair/uninstall.  I tried the repair option first, that didn't work so I uninstalled and downloaded a fresh copy of 8.0.1488, but that didn't fix the problem either. 
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: fillup on May 04, 2013, 08:25:04 AM
Well, I reinstalled the old version 8.0.1483 and the problem went away, so it must be a bug in 8.0.1488.  Some other people reported the same problem with 8.0.1488 in another thread.
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: C547 on May 09, 2013, 05:46:44 PM
Well, I reinstalled the old version 8.0.1483 and the problem went away, so it must be a bug in 8.0.1488.  Some other people reported the same problem with 8.0.1488 in another thread.

Which is the thread? On all computers that Avast! Free 8.0.1488 is installed ALL of them are reporting on action center that AV protection is disabled. All computers are with Windows 8 64-bits. None of the computers with this new version is correctly working with Action Center. This makes me wonder if Avast tested this version on windows 8 at all...
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: Para-Noid on May 09, 2013, 07:05:24 PM
What is your OS(s)?
What other security software do you have now or ever had?
If removed how was it removed?
What are you using as firewall?  ???
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: C547 on May 09, 2013, 07:14:52 PM
What is your OS(s)?
What other security software do you have now or ever had?
If removed how was it removed?
What are you using as firewall?  ???

Windows 8 64bit on all computers
Never had anything else than Avast
--
Windows firewall, only

This started to happend right after the 1488 update and with 1488 update only.
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: Para-Noid on May 09, 2013, 08:11:33 PM
I admit I don't know much about W8. I will suggest a clean install though.

1) download and save http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility
2) download and save http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe
3) run uninstaller from step #1 (you will be prompted to reboot into safe mode, do so).
4) reboot into normal mode
5) install set-up from step #2
6) reboot and register  :)
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: bob3160 on May 09, 2013, 10:02:01 PM
As you can see, I'm running the latest version of avast!8:
(http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1368129148451-71509.png)
I'm also using Windows 8 Pro
(http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1368129327089-65730.png)
There aren't any problems with the Security Center
(http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1368129432945-24339.png)
If you need help with doing a clean install, please follow the video
described here:
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=93544.msg906287#msg906287 (http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=93544.msg906287#msg906287)


Have you rebooted your system since updating ???
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: C547 on May 10, 2013, 12:08:19 AM
Quote from: bob3160 link=topic=123091.msg938043#msg938043 date=1368129721
[b
Have you rebooted your system since updating ???[/b]

Of course I did. I'm not doing a clean install in 6 computers. Too much PITA
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: bob3160 on May 10, 2013, 12:14:53 AM
You could try doing it on one computer just to see if that cures your problem and then decide what to do with the others.
I have avast! 8 installed on several Windows 8 computers and have only seen the problem once prior to a reboot. Your computer, your decision.
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: C547 on May 10, 2013, 12:19:08 AM
You could try doing it on one computer just to see if that cures your problem and then decide what to do with the others.
I have avast! 8 installed on several Windows 8 computers and have only seen the problem once prior to a reboot. Your computer, your decision.

I am sorry, I dind't want to be rude. You're right. I'll try that out in one computer and see how it goes.
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: fillup on May 10, 2013, 03:31:27 AM
What is your OS(s)?
What other security software do you have now or ever had?
If removed how was it removed?
What are you using as firewall?  ???

Windows 8 64bit on all computers
Never had anything else than Avast
--
Windows firewall, only

This started to happend right after the 1488 update and with 1488 update only.


Same here.  Windows 8 64 bit (standard, not pro edition) on an Acer Aspire V3 771G laptop.  Just Avast installed.  Using Windows firewall.  No other security programs installed.

I even did a clean install of Windows 8 yesterday.  With nothing but Avast 1488 installed, Action Center reported anti-spyware/anti-virus disabled.  Uninstalled 1488, and installed 1483 and problem went away.

Haven't tried 1489 yet.
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: fillup on May 10, 2013, 05:48:39 AM
What is your OS(s)?
What other security software do you have now or ever had?
If removed how was it removed?
What are you using as firewall?  ???

Windows 8 64bit on all computers
Never had anything else than Avast
--
Windows firewall, only

This started to happend right after the 1488 update and with 1488 update only.


Same here.  Windows 8 64 bit (standard, not pro edition) on an Acer Aspire V3 771G laptop.  Just Avast installed.  Using Windows firewall.  No other security programs installed.

I even did a clean install of Windows 8 yesterday.  With nothing but Avast 1488 installed, Action Center reported anti-spyware/anti-virus disabled.  Uninstalled 1488, and installed 1483 and problem went away.

Haven't tried 1489 yet.



I just updated from 1483 to 1489, and so far Action Center is reporting Avast is turned ON.  Fingers crossed.
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: MaxReed on May 10, 2013, 10:23:18 AM
It's the same for me since 8.0.1483!!! I have just updated to 8.0.1489 and problem in action center is still here  :(

Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: bob3160 on May 10, 2013, 01:49:54 PM
It's the same for me since 8.0.1483!!! I have just updated to 8.0.1489 and problem in action center is still here  :(
Did you do a clean install ?
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: MaxReed on May 10, 2013, 01:58:40 PM
yeah I did it the first time I've installed Win8 on my laptop and I did another clean install 2 days ago after suggestion on another post
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: fillup on May 10, 2013, 09:10:35 PM
What is your OS(s)?
What other security software do you have now or ever had?
If removed how was it removed?
What are you using as firewall?  ???

Windows 8 64bit on all computers
Never had anything else than Avast
--
Windows firewall, only

This started to happend right after the 1488 update and with 1488 update only.


Same here.  Windows 8 64 bit (standard, not pro edition) on an Acer Aspire V3 771G laptop.  Just Avast installed.  Using Windows firewall.  No other security programs installed.

I even did a clean install of Windows 8 yesterday.  With nothing but Avast 1488 installed, Action Center reported anti-spyware/anti-virus disabled.  Uninstalled 1488, and installed 1483 and problem went away.

Haven't tried 1489 yet.



I just updated from 1483 to 1489, and so far Action Center is reporting Avast is turned ON.  Fingers crossed.


I might have spoke too soon.  After another reboot the problem came back in 1489.  Rebooted a third time and the problem went away.   ??? 
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: sicextheo on May 11, 2013, 04:32:27 AM
I figured i would just let this run its course till a later patch. I have the same issue. I have SuperAntiSpyware, Malwayrebytes pro, and Avast Internet security all updated and with valid licenses. The issue really does have to do with how these load in. SAS and Avast both load later than they should normally triggering the control center prompt. I had uninstalled eset smart security suite and had this issue. Did clean windows 8 install and only installed avast worked fine. After installing malwayre bytes and sas as well as a few Windows Updates the issue came back.
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: bob3160 on May 11, 2013, 03:32:56 PM
I have also found that on occasion, doing a Repair of avast! followed by a re-boot cures the problem.
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: romulus72 on May 11, 2013, 04:20:08 PM
Windows Action Center has started complaining that my antivirus and spyware protection is turned off. This problem started only after Avast downloaded the 8.0.1488 update. I've tried uninstalling Avast, downloading the 8.0.1489 installer and reinstalling but Windows Action Center still complaining that my antivirus and spyware protection is turned off. I reinstalled the old version 8.0.1483 just for testing purpose and the problem went away, so it must be something wrong in 8.0.1488 and 8.01489.This problem I have in my both laptops running Windows 8 Pro X64 and Windows 8 Pro X86
My Laptops specifications:
1. ASUS, Core i7 2670 QM 2.2 up to 3.2 Ghz, Geforce 610M with 2 Gb dedicated video memory, 1Tb HDD Hitachi, 8 Gb DDRAM, Windows 8 Pro X64
2. SONY VAIO, AMD E350 1.6 Ghz, ATI HD 6310, 750 Gb HHD Toshiba, 4 Gb DDRAM, Windows 8 Pro X86
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: Big Steve on May 22, 2013, 06:09:17 AM
I have Avast on my 2 Dell computers; this one which I'm currently posting on is a Dell Vostro 1510 laptop and my other Dell computer is a Dell Dimension 3100 desktop PC.  At the moment I have Avast Free Antivirus software which I got from CNET; my current version of Avast is #8.0.1489 which is installed on both of my Dell computers.   For about a week a Windows red security shield has been appearing in my systray; lower right corner of my laptop's screen; I go to Control Panel; click on check my computer's current security status and it says my Avast is "turned off".   Other security software on my laptop is SUPERAntispyware version #5.6.1020 and Malwarebytes anti-malware version #1.75.0.1300.   

From my computer's security center I have tried to "turn on" my Avast. nothing happens.  Someone over on CNET's discussion board recommended I use Avast's uninstall utility tool which I have and done so in "SAFE MODE" then reinstalled the latest version of Avast but after doing all of that the red shield is still showing up on my computer's screen and my Avast is still "turned off" and cannot be turned back on.   My Dell Vostro 1510's OS is Windows Vista Premium 32bit; I don't feel comfortable using the web without an active working antivirus.  What should I attempt to do next?  I'm a entry level computer user and am not a high end technical computer user.   
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: SpeedyPC on May 22, 2013, 06:22:28 AM
Windows Action Center has started complaining that my antivirus and spyware protection is turned off. This problem started only after Avast downloaded the 8.0.1488 update. I've tried uninstalling Avast, downloading the 8.0.1489 installer and reinstalling but Windows Action Center still complaining that my antivirus and spyware protection is turned off. I reinstalled the old version 8.0.1483 just for testing purpose and the problem went away, so it must be something wrong in 8.0.1488 and 8.01489.This problem I have in my both laptops running Windows 8 Pro X64 and Windows 8 Pro X86
My Laptops specifications:
1. ASUS, Core i7 2670 QM 2.2 up to 3.2 Ghz, Geforce 610M with 2 Gb dedicated video memory, 1Tb HDD Hitachi, 8 Gb DDRAM, Windows 8 Pro X64
2. SONY VAIO, AMD E350 1.6 Ghz, ATI HD 6310, 750 Gb HHD Toshiba, 4 Gb DDRAM, Windows 8 Pro X86

Romulus72 and Fillup when you install Avast Free did you just installed the normal way just double click onto 'avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe', or did you right click on 'avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe' and pick 'Run as administrator' are you following me. Are you login to administrator account to you're own PC, or does this computer doesn't belong to you because you're not access to a full control administrator account before installing might have trigger the problem with Windows Action Center.
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off "fix"
Post by: sirhcnotroh on May 22, 2013, 07:09:18 AM
Fixed windows 8 for me had all same issue.

For Windows Vista/7/8

   a)      Open an elevated command prompt as follows

   For Vista/7 go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > right click on Command Prompt and choose Run as Administrator

For Windows 8 hover the mouse to the bottom left corner until you are seeing the Start pictogram > right click on it and choose Command Prompt (Admin)

b)      In the command prompt  window type the command below and press Enter

winmgmt /verifyrepository

  c)       You will get either one of these results:

   WMI repository is consistent -no problems detected >> go to step f)

   WMI repository is inconsistent -problems detected >> go to step d)

   d)      To rebuild the repository type the command below and hit Enter

     winmgmt /salvagerepository

    e)      You will receive one of the results below

    WMI repository is consistent -no problems detected >> go to step f)

    WMIrepository salvage failed -failed to rebuild WMI repository. Try repeating step d) again.

    WMIrepository has been salvaged - WMI repository has been successfully rebuilt. >> go to step g)

    f)       Reset the repository to its initial state using the command below and hit Enter

    winmgmt /resetrepository

    g)      Now reboot the PC and check if the issue reoccurs

Hope it helps
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: essexboy on May 22, 2013, 03:41:11 PM
Yep that is a good windows 8 fix, sometimes windows just gets lost and confused..  It is not an Avast problem
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: HLCAvastUser on August 08, 2013, 11:53:17 PM
This problem is happening again as of a couple days ago and again today. It went away for a couple days after a reboot last time. Now it's back. I'm not up for continuously uninstalling and reinstalling. That's just a nuisance and should not be required. Avast IS has been a terrific suite for me for years. I hope they get this fixed soon, or tells us what to do. If it's a Windows problem, we're not likely to ever hear a fix from them. :(
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: DavidR on August 09, 2013, 01:13:24 AM
The problem actually lies with the windows action centre or rather the WMI. This is something which has been the same for several generations of the windows action centre/windows security centre and it isn't just restricted to avast, but other security software.

You don't say what OS you are running.

See http://windowsxp.mvps.org/repairwmi.htm (http://windowsxp.mvps.org/repairwmi.htm), this also mentions Vista, so that may be valid for win7.
For Windows 7 also see Win7 WMI Repair (http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7itprogeneral/thread/1aa24489-2b63-42a3-b824-5c7e944bd365)
Also see http://windowsxp.mvps.org/repairwmi.htm (http://windowsxp.mvps.org/repairwmi.htm), this also mentions Vista, so that may be valid for win7.
Windows XP SP2, SP3 Start, Run, type cmd and click OK from the command prompt type 'rundll32 wbemupgd, RepairWMISetup' without the quotes and enter.
Win7 - Also see windows Fix It - http://support.microsoft.com/mats/windows_security_diagnostic/ (http://support.microsoft.com/mats/windows_security_diagnostic/)
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: essexboy on August 09, 2013, 02:00:09 PM
For windows 8 using an elevated command prompt :

regsvr32 /u WMIUTILS.DLL
Reboot
regsvr32 WMIUTILS.DLL
Reboot
Fixed
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: DavidR on August 09, 2013, 02:18:19 PM
Thanks for the win8 solution, I will add it to my texts.

EDIT: Is it still cmd.exe in win8 that needs to be run as the administrator ?
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: essexboy on August 09, 2013, 02:29:50 PM
Command prompt
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: DavidR on August 09, 2013, 02:39:31 PM
Thanks.
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: fhoegler43 on September 06, 2013, 12:24:32 AM
Just got .1497 free and it shut down according to action center on windows 8, unistalled .1489 and downloaded 1497 and installed it and re registered. This problem is getting ridiculous.
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: DavidR on September 06, 2013, 01:30:00 AM
Just got .1497 free and it shut down according to action center on windows 8, unistalled .1489 and downloaded 1497 and installed it and re registered. This problem is getting ridiculous.

Ridiculous, yes, but the issue lies with the WSC/WAC.
Did you try the win8 suggested solution in Reply #27 which is trying to effectively reset the WMI which is used by the WAC to monitor the security applications.
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: mars83 on October 22, 2013, 06:14:48 AM
I ran the microsoft Fix It link that someone posted earlier, it did not seem to fix it. So I turned off Antivirus security warnings in the security center. Now that I rebooted with them turned off, and turned them back on, it seems fine.
HTH
-ML
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: bob3160 on October 22, 2013, 01:28:43 PM
If a reboot doesn't cure the problem, I've always had success with doing a repair of avast! followed by a
shut down and restart to do the trick. :)
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: Jota180 on October 22, 2013, 02:25:42 PM
I had an issue with the Windows Security Centre too.  I had updated the program from within the program itself, rebooted but still had the Windows action centre pop up saying "start Avast anti virus".  Even clicking that didn't resolve it.

Downloading the uninstaller then doing a clean reinstall has sorted the security centre not seeing Avast as having started but there is clearly an issue for some who just update through the program itself.

Windows 7 64bit.
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: mchain on October 23, 2013, 06:10:44 AM
I had an issue with the Windows Security Centre too.  I had updated the program from within the program itself, rebooted but still had the Windows action centre pop up saying "start Avast anti virus".  Even clicking that didn't resolve it.

Downloading the uninstaller then doing a clean reinstall has sorted the security centre not seeing Avast as having started but there is clearly an issue for some who just update through the program itself.

Windows 7 64bit.
Which is why when moving to a new later version, it seems to work better to do a clean install rather than an update via the gui to the newest version.  Seems to save time and headaches.  Plus, if using the free version, you get a new license good for another year when you register the latest version.  Any lost usage on the old license does not really matter as all one has to do is re-register the latest version anyway; it's free plus you get upgraded protection vs. the old version just removed via clean uninstall/install.
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: speleonutter on October 23, 2013, 12:56:04 PM
I had an issue with the Windows Security Centre too.I did follow some of the solutions provided namely resetting the winmgmt service in the command prompt. I rebooted and nothing had changed. The security centre still wasn't detecting that Avast! was up and running. I then tried disabling shields for ten minutes and security center detected that. It decided that Avast! was "snoozing" and asked me if I wanted it turned on which I did of course and problem solved. :)
Unfortunately I have only just done this so I don't know if it's a long term solution.


I'm on vista ultimate on a lenovo T61p. avast version 2014.9.0.2006
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: OCT_JPN on October 24, 2013, 04:47:02 AM
I had an issue with the Windows Security Centre too.I did follow some of the solutions provided namely resetting the winmgmt service in the command prompt. I rebooted and nothing had changed. The security centre still wasn't detecting that Avast! was up and running. I then tried disabling shields for ten minutes and security center detected that. It decided that Avast! was "snoozing" and asked me if I wanted it turned on which I did of course and problem solved. :)
Unfortunately I have only just done this so I don't know if it's a long term solution.


I'm on vista ultimate on a lenovo T61p. avast version 2014.9.0.2006

Speleonutter,

I had the very same issue with Windows 7 Action centre after upgrading to Avast AntiVirus Version 2014.9.0.2006. Nothing was working until I tried your suggestion of disabling all the shields for 10 minutes, then went back into the security center and this time it detected Avast virus & spyware protection & all was fixed & back to normal

Just wanted to say thank you very much for this simple & easy solution. So far no more issues

Cheers
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: speleonutter on October 24, 2013, 12:36:26 PM
Glad it worked :)
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: REDACTED on June 21, 2014, 11:26:43 PM
I admit I don't know much about W8. I will suggest a clean install though.

1) download and save http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility
2) download and save http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe
3) run uninstaller from step #1 (you will be prompted to reboot into safe mode, do so).
4) reboot into normal mode
5) install set-up from step #2
6) reboot and register  :)

Had an identical issue on Win7 Premium SP1, this solved it.
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: REDACTED on July 06, 2014, 01:48:48 AM
Just to keep this thread up to date: I'm running Windows 8.0 with latest avast! engine and defs. I've been seeing this issue for a long time. I used the recent solution and it worked: Disable avast for 10 minutes, go to Action Center, tell it to activate avast. All issues clear. I'm happy with that!
Title: Re: Action Center says Avast is turned off
Post by: bob3160 on July 06, 2014, 04:19:08 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eqPZUxmbOY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eqPZUxmbOY)