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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: perros on August 29, 2012, 03:11:21 PM

Title: Avast Won't Update
Post by: perros on August 29, 2012, 03:11:21 PM
Hope this is the right board for this question.

I installed Avast free on my netbook in february and it's been great so far but a few days ago i got a pop up from avast saying i need to update, i clicked to update but nothing happens.

I'm on Windows7 and in the action centre it's telling me avast is out of date with a button to update but again it won't update.

I tried updating from Avast's site http://www.avast.com/download-update (http://www.avast.com/download-update) it started updating but then stopped with an error message

Any idea what the problem might be? do i need to reinstal?

Thanks
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: DavidR on August 29, 2012, 03:24:20 PM
What was the error given when you tried to run the update ?

you could try a repair of avast:
XP - Add Remove programs, select 'avast! Anti-Virus,' click the Change/Remove button and select Repair, click next and follow.

Vista, win7 - Control Panel, Programs & Features, uninstall a program, select 'avast! Anti-Virus,' click the Uninstall/Change and select Repair, click next and follow.

You may need to reboot after the repair.
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: perros on August 29, 2012, 03:38:07 PM
Tried to repair but got

"Setup Fatal Error"

Error reading product data from "C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\setup\".Setup cannot continue.
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: DavidR on August 29, 2012, 04:58:25 PM
The fatal error will require a reinstall and the regular uninstall would probably fail also as setup is also used for that.

- Download the latest version of avast, 7.0.1456 http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe (http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe) and save it to your HDD, somewhere you can find it again (if you didn't save your last download). Use that when you reinstall.

- Download the avast! Uninstall Utility, aswClear.exe find it here (http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility) and save it to your HDD (it has uninstall tools for 5.x, 6.0.x and 7.0.x).
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: perros on August 30, 2012, 01:33:14 PM
Is there any chance i could get a virus while doing this?

I was told to uninstall COMODO a while ago to update to the new version and ended up infected.
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: DavidR on August 30, 2012, 02:31:22 PM
If you do it in the order suggested then no as you will never be going on-line without protection.

Anyone that tells you to first uninstall and then download the replacement is giving you poor advice.

Always get the tools (download the programs you need and save them on your hard disk first), before undertaking the job. This holds true for any job, don't start it until you have all the tools required to complete the job.
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: livipops on September 02, 2012, 01:14:54 PM
I am having exactly the same problem. It won't update and it won't let me uninstall my current version either, don't know what to do!
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: DavidR on September 02, 2012, 01:27:33 PM
Follow the suggestions in this topic, Repair, Clean install, etc.

Probably more important what errors are you getting when you try to update ?
If it is a critical/fatal error then you are essentially looking a a clean reinstall as outlined in Reply #3 above and in the order given.
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: livipops on September 02, 2012, 02:33:51 PM
I have tried this. it doesn't give me the option to repair, but when I select uninstall/change it says 'a setiface error has occurred 536870929, try to reinstall or contact customer support, please.'
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: CraigB on September 02, 2012, 02:59:00 PM
I have tried this. it doesn't give me the option to repair, but when I select uninstall/change it says 'a setiface error has occurred 536870929, try to reinstall or contact customer support, please.'
As DavidR has already mentioned follow the suggestions already posted in this thread, download and save the latest avast then also download and save the removal tool from here http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility, boot into safemode and run the removal tool for all versions of avast ever installed and when completed reboot back to normal mode and re-install the saved copy of avast.
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: Asyn on September 02, 2012, 02:59:53 PM
I have tried this. it doesn't give me the option to repair, but when I select uninstall/change it says 'a setiface error has occurred 536870929, try to reinstall or contact customer support, please.'

- Which avast!..?? (Free/Pro/IS)
- Which version..??
- OS..?? (32/64 Bit..? - which SP..?)
- Other security related software installed..??
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: ludo on September 02, 2012, 04:02:54 PM
I have been having ongoing problems with Avast updates...over a couple of years.  It works fine for a while, them updates fail and the only solution seems to be to remove and reinstall the product, which is a pain.
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: DavidR on September 02, 2012, 05:56:37 PM
Since this is your first post and we don't know why the problem happened we can't say that the only option for you was a reinstall as there are other options (as mentioned above), but that depends what the error is, a reinstall isn't the only option.
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: ludo on September 02, 2012, 08:16:04 PM
You are right of course....but ity was avast support who told me to reinstall!!
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: DavidR on September 02, 2012, 09:10:20 PM
Well that is certainly a step which is likely to have a high probability of success.

However, on the forums we tend to first find out more information on why it didn't work (errors, etc.) and then offer the less onerous option first to resolve the error, with the fall back option to reinstall.
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: ludo on September 02, 2012, 10:21:07 PM
..and that's why I'm here on this forum...I want to find a solution.
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: Asyn on September 02, 2012, 10:23:37 PM
..and that's why I'm here on this forum...I want to find a solution.

- Which avast!..?? (Free/Pro/IS)
- Which version..??
- OS..?? (32/64 Bit..? - which SP..?)
- Other security related software installed..??
- Which AV did you use before avast!..??
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: ludo on September 03, 2012, 12:31:20 AM
..and that's why I'm here on this forum...I want to find a solution.

- Which avast!..?? (Free/Pro/IS)
- Which version..??
- OS..?? (32/64 Bit..? - which SP..?)
- Other security related software installed..??
- Which AV did you use before avast!..??
Avast free
Program 7.0.1466  Virus database 120708-0 (won't update)
Windows XP media centre edition SP3
There is an old version of McAfee
Don't think I had any AV before avast, I've been using avast for years
I have had ongoing update problems.  I have rebooted the pc today with a clean boot so no 3rd party stuff loaded except avast, but it still won't update
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: CraigB on September 03, 2012, 07:09:41 AM
..and that's why I'm here on this forum...I want to find a solution.

- Which avast!..?? (Free/Pro/IS)
- Which version..??
- OS..?? (32/64 Bit..? - which SP..?)
- Other security related software installed..??
- Which AV did you use before avast!..??
Avast free
Program 7.0.1466  Virus database 120708-0 (won't update)
Windows XP media centre edition SP3
There is an old version of McAfee
Don't think I had any AV before avast, I've been using avast for years
I have had ongoing update problems.  I have rebooted the pc today with a clean boot so no 3rd party stuff loaded except avast, but it still won't update
Have you completely removed McAfee? you'll find there removal tool here http://singularlabs.com/uninstallers/security-software/ which you run after a normal uninstall then reboot, you might still have to run a repair of avast or even a clean install if it has been corrupted by leftovers of McAfee.
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: ludo on September 03, 2012, 11:49:47 AM
I'm only using the firewall in McAfee...the rest is not installed...do you think this could cause a problem? 

and McAfee did not start up with the clean boot but the update problem still exists..
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: CraigB on September 03, 2012, 12:19:12 PM
I'm only using the firewall in McAfee...the rest is not installed...do you think this could cause a problem? 

and McAfee did not start up with the clean boot but the update problem still exists..
As far as i knew McAfee's firewall comes with the antivirus as i dont see a standalone version of it, if the antivirus is installed but not active then it will still conflict with avast as there would still be active low level drivers running.
There are plenty of free standalone firewalls on the market if you require one, OutPost, Online Armor, Privatefirewall .
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: perros on September 12, 2012, 05:22:14 PM
Hi, i forgot to say thanks for the help, really busy around the time of the problem. Your solution worked perfectly.

Thanks :)
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: ludo on September 25, 2012, 12:05:38 PM
Just to keep things up to date...I have been  running a 'clean boot' for the past 2 weeks...McAfee is def not loaded...things were fine for a while and now I'm back to Avast not updating...and when I try to use the 'repair' facility it tells me I need to reload!!!  Great
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: CraigB on September 25, 2012, 12:29:12 PM
Just to keep things up to date...I have been  running a 'clean boot' for the past 2 weeks...McAfee is def not loaded...things were fine for a while and now I'm back to Avast not updating...and when I try to use the 'repair' facility it tells me I need to reload!!!  Great
You need to remove McAfee altogether ( uninstall it ) then see if the problem persists, a repair or even a clean install of avast maybe required as McAfee could have corrupted it.
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: GreyWulf on October 04, 2012, 01:23:43 AM
I just received a red avast warning that it could not update.  I followed the advice here (uninstalled, delated all files I could find, reinstalled, REbooted).  Now avast jsut sit and says its initializing and will not update.  I am running the free version on a HP laptop, AMD 4 core running Win7 Ult.  Can anyone help?
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: Pokesaver on October 04, 2012, 01:27:03 AM
Their latest update seems to be broken. Dont worry, it'll be fixed.
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: perros on October 04, 2012, 01:33:09 AM
I've just come to bump this myself  ;D

Same thing as GreyWulf has just happened.

I opened avast and tried updating there instead but got

"Last encountered error: Invalid file signature. Setup will terminate"
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: jadinolf on October 04, 2012, 01:42:00 AM
I don't think reinstall is the answer. I have 6 licenses and none of them will update.

HELP!

Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: DavidR on October 04, 2012, 01:44:34 AM
I just received a red avast warning that it could not update.  I followed the advice here (uninstalled, delated all files I could find, reinstalled, REbooted).  Now avast jsut sit and says its initializing and will not update.  I am running the free version on a HP laptop, AMD 4 core running Win7 Ult.  Can anyone help?


Just try a manual update, I suspect that it will report that it is up to date:
If so - Try a repair of avast:
Win7 - Control Panel, Programs & Features, uninstall a program, select 'avast! Anti-Virus,' click the Uninstall/Change and select Repair, click next and follow.

You may need to reboot after the repair.

This has in the past resolved this out of sync issue between reported and actual VPS version.
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: jadinolf on October 04, 2012, 01:47:53 AM
David, it's got to be something more serious than that.

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r27587763-Avast-anyone-having-problem-with-Definiton-update-

Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: DavidR on October 04, 2012, 01:49:29 AM
Further to that if you tried the Repair and got another error - 'Error processing packages. Please use full update.'

Then you will need to do a Manual update of VPS - avast! Virus Definitions Update - Manual Download (http://www.avast.com/download-update) VPS Update (virus definitions, vpsupd.exe, approx 67.5 MB). - Save the file to your hard disk, locate where you saved it and double click it and that should carry out the virus definitions update.
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: Pokesaver on October 04, 2012, 01:50:31 AM
I'm sorry if this isn't right for your exact problem, but it isn't anything serious:

The infrastructure guys are investigating the problem... will be fixed as soon as possible.
Please be patient. Sorry for the troubles.

It's a problem with the last avast! update.
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: Raonaid on October 04, 2012, 01:52:14 AM
I just received a red avast warning that it could not update.  I followed the advice here (uninstalled, delated all files I could find, reinstalled, REbooted).  Now avast jsut sit and says its initializing and will not update.  I am running the free version on a HP laptop, AMD 4 core running Win7 Ult.  Can anyone help?


Just try a manual update, I suspect that it will report that it is up to date:
If so - Try a repair of avast:
Win7 - Control Panel, Programs & Features, uninstall a program, select 'avast! Anti-Virus,' click the Uninstall/Change and select Repair, click next and follow.

You may need to reboot after the repair.

This has in the past resolved this out of sync issue between reported and actual VPS version.

See I did all this as mentioned above. Did not work. It did give me a migraine trying to do all this but still the same message. So I am convinced it is a mass Avast problem
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: DavidR on October 04, 2012, 01:53:11 AM
David, it's got to be something more serious than that.

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r27587763-Avast-anyone-having-problem-with-Definiton-update-

Are you using the beta build (?) as I am and it gives another error that you are using the 7.0.1468 build and not what it is expecting 7.0.1466.

If that still doesn't resolve it then I would say wait until tomorrow when the next update is likely to resolve it.
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: jfh on October 04, 2012, 02:00:49 AM
As a long time user of Avast (with no problems), but new to this forum, I don't know who the "evangelists", Uber and otherwise, are, but I don't get impression that they are actually employed by Avast.  If I am correct in this, it seems about time for an official representative of the company to admit that they are aware of this update problem, that they are working to fix it, estimate how long that might take, and suggest an interim solution.  I have tried one of the Uber fixes to no avail, and don't want to start downloading uninstall tools, going into Safe Mode or otherwise engaging in computer gymnastics unless I have to.  Wouldn't it be easier to just switch AV programs, at least until Avast decides to address this problem?   
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: Pokesaver on October 04, 2012, 02:02:51 AM
As a long time user of Avast (with no problems), but new to this forum, I don't know who the "evangelists", Uber and otherwise, are, but I don't get impression that they are actually employed by Avast.  If I am correct in this, it seems about time for an official representative of the company to admit that they are aware of this update problem, that they are working to fix it, estimate how long that might take, and suggest an interim solution.  I have tried one of the Uber fixes to no avail, and don't want to start downloading uninstall tools, going into Safe Mode or otherwise engaging in computer gymnastics unless I have to.  Wouldn't it be easier to just switch AV programs, at least until Avast decides to address this problem?

They already have, and DavidR does not work for avast!, he volunteers his time to help out with problems. That is what all evangelists/Uberevangelists do. (I think...)

I found the post:
The infrastructure guys are investigating the problem... will be fixed as soon as possible.
Please be patient. Sorry for the troubles.
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: jadinolf on October 04, 2012, 02:06:18 AM
Using the beta build on all 6 computers?

Shirley, you jest.
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: DavidR on October 04, 2012, 02:14:58 AM
You need to reflect that in your profile signature - Then it will fail with an error incompatible version or words to that effect as the as it did on my beta build one -

~~~~
For those of you who are are using the regular release version 7.0.1466, and the repair failed - 'Error processing packages. Please use full update.' - then this worked for me on my win7 netbook with 7.0.1466:

Then you will need to do a Manual update of VPS - avast! Virus Definitions Update - Manual Download (http://www.avast.com/download-update) VPS Update (virus definitions, vpsupd.exe, approx 67.5 MB). - Save the file to your hard disk, locate where you saved it and double click it and that should carry out the virus definitions update.
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: biidaaban on October 04, 2012, 02:25:41 AM
i'm using IS 7.0.1466 and having the same issues, can anyone help?
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: DavidR on October 04, 2012, 02:40:10 AM
Have you actually tried what I suggested in the post above yours ?
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: ken1942 on October 04, 2012, 02:46:01 AM
Further to that if you tried the Repair and got another error - 'Error processing packages. Please use full update.'

Then you will need to do a Manual update of VPS - avast! Virus Definitions Update - Manual Download (http://www.avast.com/download-update) VPS Update (virus definitions, vpsupd.exe, approx 67.5 MB). - Save the file to your hard disk, locate where you saved it and double click it and that should carry out the virus definitions update.

Thanks. That worked for me.
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: DavidR on October 04, 2012, 03:13:49 AM
No problem, hopefully it will work for most of you but some have said it didn't work but didn't give any information why.
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: Kilia on October 04, 2012, 04:12:52 AM
No problem, hopefully it will work for most of you but some have said it didn't work but didn't give any information why.

Will try that right after the Pres. Debate is over tonight.
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: DavidR on October 04, 2012, 04:19:29 AM
For now it looks like they have pulled the bad VPS version 121003-2 to limit the spread (until they resolve the problem) and the update process works again.
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: Kilia on October 04, 2012, 05:32:46 AM
For now it looks like they have pulled the bad VPS version 121003-2 to limit the spread (until they resolve the problem) and the update process works again.
Yep..I didn't have to use the manual download .exe file. I'm happy now.
Thank you!
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: Daedalus44 on February 11, 2014, 01:42:47 AM
THINK I FOUND THE ANSWER

So, I was having the exact same issue on this thread....

When I went to Control Panel to do my repair.... I notice the update option was actually in the avast UI that came up when I clicked UnInstall/Change Program.

This updated properly and prompted me to reboot my computer. After rebooting I was kinda of skeptical that it had actually updated. Checked the versions though....

Matched... BAM!!! fixed for me

Hope this helps someone

Daedalus44
Title: Re: Avast Won't Update
Post by: psxanarchist on February 12, 2014, 09:13:48 AM
THINK I FOUND THE ANSWER

So, I was having the exact same issue on this thread....

When I went to Control Panel to do my repair.... I notice the update option was actually in the avast UI that came up when I clicked UnInstall/Change Program.

This updated properly and prompted me to reboot my computer. After rebooting I was kinda of skeptical that it had actually updated. Checked the versions though....

Matched... BAM!!! fixed for me

Hope this helps someone

Daedalus44

I know this thread is old, but it has good info.  I did not want to use uninstall tool & reinstall.  The above quoted steps WORKED for me.  Go to control panel & do uninstall/change on avast, & indeed there will be a popup & an option saying UPDATE.  It confirms newer version exists, then you choose CONTINUE & it DOES update & asks you to reboot.  It works!  Thanks all!