Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: omarquo on April 08, 2020, 06:39:31 PM
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After the latest updates I still have problems with the firewall:
- My PC can not connect to my internet network
- On the PC settings and in "Windows security" seems that there aren't a firewall active, but on Avast seems to be "on green"; but, like I wrote up there, I can not connect my PC to my internet network.
Untill last week everything were ok with the firewall and the internet network.
If It helps, I have Windows 10 and Avast Premium Security.
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Reiterating:
A TOTAL CATASTROPHE.
1) Avast updated the program itself yesterday without asking me. I have always required it to "Ask when an update is available" but this was ignored.
2) No internet activity is passing through AT ALL. I thought it was Parallels, but no. Fully rebooted Mac, then rebooted Windows. No change.
2) As prior user says, when I first open Avast a big warning appears on the first screen you see, that Firewall is turned off
(Yes it says that in red.)
There is a big button to TURN ON [...] and if you click TURN ON it says with a red X in a circle "Firewall not available!"
If you click the box with [...] in it you are given the option to Ignore, which I did not try.
3) On the Notifications Alerts, it says Firewall is turned off, with the same green button to Turn on. Again it says "Firewall not available."
4) If you go into Menu > Settings > Protection > Firewall, the firewall toggle is green/on. I click the Packet Rules, and my application-specific rules are gone.
List of network profiles says: No items in this list.
But it turns out you can work around this:
Here in Firewall Settings, if I turn off my firewall which is supposedly "off and does not exist" - then Internet access actually works.
So the Firewall that is non-existent and is off, which is actually on but without my rules and is blocking everything, can be turned off to bypass its total blocking of everything.
When will this be fixed? Will my rules ever be recoverable?
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Sadly it's a very bad problem.
After my post on this topic I can add:
I also tried to repair the app in the last days but nothing changed, when I restart my PC, the firewall always turn off on red on Avast.
When the Firewall on Avast seems to be on ("green") the Windows security on PC settings doesn't find any firewall protection.
Seems that Is the firewall which doens't allow my PC to connect on my internet network.
Why there are always problem with the updates? Some months ago there were trouble with the bank mode after an update; and now this...
When will be fix?
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Is your home network set to private?
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Where would I check anything about my home network?
(I set up Avast years ago and for me it's "set it and forget it." Like most users, I'm not truly "interested" in it and pay as little attention to it as I can, so forgive me for not knowing about the home network. It used to "just work.")
Maybe you mean this section:
In Settings > Protection > Firewall, in the section called List of network profiles, it states "No items in this list." Is this where a "Home network" would be listed and configured? If so, it's missing.
In Settings > Protection > Firewall, it can be toggled on or off. Either way, it still always shows that it is Off in Protection > Firewall, and cannot be toggled on there.
In Protection > Firewall, it always says "Current Network" - "You're not connected to a network".
In Protection > Firewall, the section called "Apps recently managed" is empty - it says "You haven't managed any apps yet." It is dimmed, so I can not click "Application settings."
I don't remember if the Firewall rules I set up were in Application Settings or in Packet Rules. Many years ago - maybe 5? - I played with it till I got it to work exactly as I wished. If I ever checked the rules after updates, I poked around till I found them. Now that they are gone - I have no idea where they might be, since I can't click Application settings, and the Packet Rules are empty. It's all just vanished.
Another glitch - in Settings > Protection > Firewall, it is set to Auto-decide, and cannot be switched to Allow, Block, or Ask. You can try to pick one of them, but it bounces back to Auto-decide.
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Menu > Settings > Protection > Firewall
Make sure your connection to your router is set to private.
Public will block all connections.
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I just wrote:
"In Settings > Protection > Firewall, in the section called List of network profiles, it states "No items in this list." Is this where a "Home network" would be listed and configured? If so, it's missing."
Please seen screencap. There is no setting for my router, or for any network.
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Sorry that screencap is too high res to read easily. There is no way to preview attachments. I have reduced its size and will post it here, and hope it comes out better!
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Sorry I was going from memory since I currently don't have the firewall module installed.
See if you find the information here, https://support.avast.com/en-us/article/Antivirus-Firewall-Application-Rules (https://support.avast.com/en-us/article/Antivirus-Firewall-Application-Rules)
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Give this tutorial a try, https://support.avast.com/en-us/article/49/ especially the bit about Define Network profiles. Also see attached screenshot.
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Thanks, I just read through it.
Most of it is describing Application rules - which you get to by clicking Application Settings on the Protection > Firewall screen.
On that screen, my "Current Network" and "Apps managed sections" are gray/dim and not-clickable, as are the links for Firewall logs | Settings and Application settings. Current network is blank and it says You're not connected to a network.
I've attached a screencap.
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DavidR - I cannot do any of these things. Firewall cannot even be toggled on/off on the Protection > Firewall screen, and there are no network profiles here. Nothing at all can be done on this screen.
Can turn Firewall on or off only in Settings, but even if set on there, it always says it is off on the Protection > Firewall screen, and there are no named or clickable or configurable networks, and Application settings is not clickable either. Everything is gray.
On the Alerts page, it always says Firewall is off, and even reports "Firewall not available!" if I try to turn it on there.
Firewall doesn't even think it exists (Alerts), or thinks it is off and can't be turned on (Protection), though it can be turned on or off in Settings. An inconsistent combination of information.
I suppose I can "remove" the component from Control Panel, then add it back and see what happens.
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My reinstall of Firewall worked.
Solution:
1) REMOVE Firewall component
2) ADD Firewall component back
3) Let it scan - this requires a few weird steps, but it will eventually work. At first it finds 2 networks, one of which has a big red X. The other network defaults to public. You have to switch it to Private, at which point it completely hangs all of Windows for about a minute before finally scanning the Home network. It's an almost unimaginably awful user experience, but eventually works, and when it's done it eliminates the phantom disabled extra network.
Finally I can add my application rules. This user interface is now ALSO almost completely broken, as the Move Up and Move Down buttons no longer work properly. It will keep reordering to move my one Block rule to the top, when I want it on the bottom.
Eventually somehow I got the right order to stick. After that, if you go to look at the rules and they are correct, you MUST NOT CLICK OK to exit the list of rules. You must press CANCEL, or else the rule order will once again rearrange itself into the wrong order.
I never had any of these problems before. I actually bought THIS product years ago because I wanted the customizable Firewall that could control things all the way down to the port-level per application, which is the feature I needed. Since I first set it up, the firewall always worked, and my rules stuck.
This is a horrible update. Avast has made a mess of the Firewall in this release. Can't believe I paid last month for another year of this.
Original poster - try to remove and add back the Firewall. I think you can do it from within the program, or via the Windows Control Panel using the Change button on Avast. (I have Windows 7, so the Control Panel might look different on your Windows 10 machine.)
See if it works for you too.
Thank you all for your suggestions. Avast should be informed that they broke their firewall!
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Glad to hear you've got it solved.
Avast has already been made aware of the problem with the firewall.
I'm not sure if the current Beta just released has addressed the problem. I certainly hope so.
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=233306.msg1541992#msg1541992 (https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=233306.msg1541992#msg1541992)
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@ IDF
You're welcome, I wasn't sure that article reflected the latest version/user interface, not being an Avast Firewall user.
Thanks for taking the time to report a solution to the problem.
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Is your home network set to private?
Yes, it's set to private but I can not connect my PC to my internet network.
What I have ti do?
I hope this problem will be fix soon
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Me too. Worst desktop firewall ever!
Avast go back to version 19.
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@ omarquo & lackschuh
Have both of you tried IDF's resolution in Reply #12, not that far above your posts ?
EDIT: Information from an Avast Team member in another topic.
Has the problem with the Firewall been addressed in this version?
The forum is loaded with reports of Firewall issues. Thanks
Hi Bob, if you mean the two problems with Firewall, one related to RDP and one related to its starting as a component, then both of the issues are resolved via microupdate in 20.2 and also we doublechecked it is resolved in this 20.3 BETA version as well. If you refer to different FW problems, please let us know more information. Thank you and have a nice day!
Try restarting your systems, that should trigger the Micro Update and or action it after the restart.
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@DavidR
I'm gonna try now. Feedback follows.
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In the last days I restarted a lot of times my PC, I turned off/turned on the firewall on Avast, I repaired the app on the settings but nothing changed.
My PC, I think It depends on the firewall, can not connect on my internet network and the firewall automatically switch everytime from private to public!
It's possibile to have all these troubles with an update?! Some months ago, like I wrote before, there were problems with the bank mode and now this. It's not acceptable for a thing that you had paid for.
I can't believe I paid for this until 2022...
When will be fix?
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You might try what I did.
Stopping/re-starting the Firewall is not helpful.
I never tried the Repair option.
Try this:
Menu > Settings > General > Troubleshooting
Click Add/Modify Components
UNCHECK Firewall
Click Change button
I believe you will then have to restart the computer
When you reboot, Avast will no longer have the firewall component installed. You will not see it in Protection or in Settings. And - your Internet access should now work, because nothing will be blocked.
If your Internet still doesn't work, it's probably not the fault of Avast. You'd probably have to uninstall Avast completely to test that though.
Now, go back to the same settings screen and Add the Firewall back.
You may have to restart Windows, I don't remember.
At this point you'll have to set up the Firewall - set the network to Private and let it rescan. If you have any custom rules or preferences, you'd need to set them up again.
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@DavidR, I think you might have confused things with your Edit, "diluting" or distracting from your suggestion that the OP try the fix that worked for me.
I don't know what the Micro Update is or was that you referred to, but I'm on 20.2.2401 (build 20.2.4.5130.566), release date April 1, 2020 12:55 AM, and it says it is "up to date." "Check for updates" finds nothing new. The firewall in this release is broken - probably their update left some incompatible elements behind, and removing/adding it back forces in a compatible firewall component.
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@DavidR, I think you might have confused things with your Edit, "diluting" or distracting from your suggestion that the OP try the fix that worked for me.
I don't know what the Micro Update is or was that you referred to, but I'm on 20.2.2401 (build 20.2.4.5130.566), release date April 1, 2020 12:55 AM, and it says it is "up to date." "Check for updates" finds nothing new. The firewall in this release is broken - probably their update left some incompatible elements behind, and removing/adding it back forces in a compatible firewall component.
David's suggestion was valid. Restarting the system will trigger the micro update.
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@DavidR, I think you might have confused things with your Edit, "diluting" or distracting from your suggestion that the OP try the fix that worked for me.
I don't know what the Micro Update is or was that you referred to, but I'm on 20.2.2401 (build 20.2.4.5130.566), release date April 1, 2020 12:55 AM, and it says it is "up to date." "Check for updates" finds nothing new. The firewall in this release is broken - probably their update left some incompatible elements behind, and removing/adding it back forces in a compatible firewall component.
Not sure if I diluted your suggestion, having given your posts location, Reply #12.
Micro Updates are fixes that generally don't need a full blown program update and in general restarting should trigger it. So first I would have try that (if I had the Avast Firewall) to see if it worked, otherwise move on to the more complex step.
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"Edit" implies to me the new content overrides the prior. But I can see your point too. I wasn't sure why my idea wasn't tried, but perhaps people don't post when fixes work for them.
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"Edit" implies to me the new content overrides the prior. But I can see your point too. I wasn't sure why my idea wasn't tried, but perhaps people don't post when fixes work for them.
The EDIT was because I saw the post by an Avast Team member and quoted it, I wanted to give this further information without creating another post in isolation.
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"Edit" implies to me the new content overrides the prior. But I can see your point too. I wasn't sure why my idea wasn't tried, but perhaps people don't post when fixes work for them.
As long as for the procedure you specify, you have to reboot your system, it's hard to know what will solve the problem:
- uninstall / re-install the firewall
or
- emergency update applied
That said, to go in your direction, a simple disabling / enabling of the firewall (without rebooting) had allowed me just after the program update to recover internet
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=233119.msg1541844#msg1541844
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The chances that anyone having this problem didn't reboot their system seems low to me. I probably rebooted a half dozen times. At first I thought the problem was that Parallels lost connectivity to the Mac, so I also rebooted the Mac multiple times and then the Windows VM. If there is a micro update at Windows VM boot time, it doesn't fix the problems described in this thread. It was on a whim that I finally removed the firewall component.
What you are implying is that a person rebooted only once, after they uninstalled the firewall. That's possible... seems unlikely but possible.
Also, the people posting here including me observed numerous bugs in turning the firewall on or off. On some screens it could not only not be turned on (for instance, the Alerts screen which always said it was off regardless of Settings), but also when they tried to turn it on it reported "Firewall not available." So, turning it on and off, which everyone tried, is a futile endevaor.
Anyway, that's the situation in this thread. Other threads are reporting other problems, like rules not being learned or being learned and then forgotten.
But - that said, I'm just frustrated, and actually do appreciate the efforts by several of you to offer suggestions! You don't have to do so, so thank you for chiming in.
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I don't know what the Micro Update is or was that you referred to, but I'm on 20.2.2401 (build 20.2.4.5130.566), release date April 1, 2020 12:55 AM, and it says it is "up to date." "Check for updates" finds nothing new.
Reboot twice. (Note, the latest build# is 20.2.5130.568)
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I don't know what the Micro Update is or was that you referred to, but I'm on 20.2.2401 (build 20.2.4.5130.566), release date April 1, 2020 12:55 AM, and it says it is "up to date." "Check for updates" finds nothing new.
Reboot twice. (Note, the latest build# is 20.2.5130.568)
Yes, this update was done yesterday at noon for me.
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=233350.msg1542247#msg1542247
Nobody is distributed at the same time, so it is difficult to draw obvious conclusions for universal solutions.
Moreover, for the last few days I have not seen any more topics saying that people are encountering the problem of internet access.
We have moved on to the "ask" problem.
Maybe yesterday's update was made for this problem?
I have just put the parameters back on "ask", I'll keep you informed if the problem is still present or not.
edit:No, the update didn't change anything, there are still tons of requests for the same applications.
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... I probably rebooted a half dozen times.
Just a reminder to all, re-boot means do a "Restart" not just a "Shutdown" followed by a start-up.
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@ omarquo & lackschuh
Have both of you tried IDF's resolution in Reply #12, not that far above your posts ?
EDIT: Information from an Avast Team member in another topic.
Has the problem with the Firewall been addressed in this version?
The forum is loaded with reports of Firewall issues. Thanks
Hi Bob, if you mean the two problems with Firewall, one related to RDP and one related to its starting as a component, then both of the issues are resolved via microupdate in 20.2 and also we doublechecked it is resolved in this 20.3 BETA version as well. If you refer to different FW problems, please let us know more information. Thank you and have a nice day!
Try restarting your systems, that should trigger the Micro Update and or action it after the restart.
Not working! Remove and reinstall firewall component. After start windows from hibernate network is blocked.
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<snip quotes>
Try restarting your systems, that should trigger the Micro Update and or action it after the restart.
Not working! Remove and reinstall firewall component. After start windows from hibernate network is blocked.
It needs to be a full Restart to ensure everything is closed and the system turned off before restart as in the attached image.
Is that what you meant ?
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I have restarted my system since last post (#31) about 100 times...
After each start or deep sleep/hibernate avast desktop firewall is blocking network connection and I also have to allow or disallow every rule again...
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I have restarted my system since last post (#31) about 100 times...
After each start or deep sleep/hibernate avast desktop firewall is blocking network connection and I also have to allow or disallow every rule again...
Did you also try what was suggested in this post https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=233304.msg1542398#msg1542398 (https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=233304.msg1542398#msg1542398) ?
Can you also post your avast version number and build number as the micro updates should be reflected in the avast build number.
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When my PC, for a very short time, can connect to my internet network on secure browser I can't open any website because "The firewall are blocking internet"; but on Firefox I can open some webistes... what a low level by Avast, very disappointed.
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When my PC, for a very short time, can connect to my internet network on secure browser I can't open any website because "The firewall are blocking internet"; but on Firefox I can open some webistes... what a low level by Avast, very disappointed.
Way back in Reply #17 I asked:
@ omarquo & lackschuh
Have both of you tried IDF's resolution in Reply #12, not that far above your posts ?
<snip>
You didn't respond ?
Also in the interim period have you restarted your system, complete shutdown followed by a restart ?
This can have a number of effects:
For example, I have been waiting for a recent version number and build number update plus an update to the UI (user interface). I got this today, version and build number and UI version number in my signature below my posts.
Are yours the same as mine ?
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When my PC, for a very short time, can connect to my internet network on secure browser I can't open any website because "The firewall are blocking internet"; but on Firefox I can open some webistes... what a low level by Avast, very disappointed.
Also , Have you set your firewall to "auto decision" rather than "ask" (already waiting a fix for this issue)?
I noticed that when it was set to "ask", the internet connection or browsers was sometimes blocked.
svchost needs to be allowed , and this is not always requested or requested late.
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When my PC, for a very short time, can connect to my internet network on secure browser I can't open any website because "The firewall are blocking internet";
I can't follow you.
What is "my internet network"?
What is "secure browser"?
What do you mean you "can connect" to my internet network .... I can't open any website?" You can? You cannot?
Is "my internet network" an intranet on the home side of your router?
Can you clarify any of this?
but on Firefox I can open some webistes... what a low level by Avast, very disappointed.
You say Firefox works to some extent. If Firefox is able to access the Internet at all, then Avast is not completely blocking the Internet.
It sounds like you may have different rules set up that are allowing Firefox but blocking your "secure browser" whatever that is.
Way back in Reply #17 I asked:
@ omarquo & lackschuh
Have both of you tried IDF's resolution in Reply #12, not that far above your posts ?
<snip>
You didn't respond ?
Also in the interim period have you restarted your system, complete shutdown followed by a restart ?
This can have a number of effects:
For example, I have been waiting for a recent version number and build number update plus an update to the UI (user interface). I got this today, version and build number and UI version number in my signature below my posts.
Are yours the same as mine ?
I don't think he has responded.
Other things can be tried:
1) Right click the Avast icon, and try Avast Shield Controls > Disable for 10 minutes.
Then see if it works during those 10 minutes.
I don't know if this is supposed to disable the firewall, but it's worth a try to see if this helps.
2) Save your preferences, then uninstall Avast
a) Menu > Settings > Troubleshooting > Back up settings
b) Uninstall Avast, restart your system
See if it works
c) Re-install Avast
See if it still works
d) Then restore your settings: Menu > Settings > Troubleshooting > Restore Settings
See if it still works
Also, if some things are blocked and some things are not blocked, then you might be able to access the firewall logs to learn more.
Protection > Firewall > Firewall logs
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I have restarted my system since last post (#31) about 100 times...
After each start or deep sleep/hibernate avast desktop firewall is blocking network connection and I also have to allow or disallow every rule again...
Sleep or hibernate states won't help anything because Windows simply freezes in place and then resumes from the same state.
What do you mean "I also have to allow or disallow every rule again..." After you modify your rules, does the firewall start to work properly?
If that is the case, then it sounds like your problem may be that Avast is not retaining rules. Or - perhaps Avast is re-ordering your rules putting Block rules on top.
That is what happened to me - after getting the Firewall component added back, and entering my application rules, Avast kept messing up the application rule order, always forcing Block rules to the top.
I kept trying to re-order them using Move Up and Move Down, and guess I eventually got lucky with it, as they finally stayed in the right order. Once they were in the right order, things worked properly for me.
(But I was only able to get that far by removing and then adding back the Firewall component - until then, I wasn't able to even access the rules. So - I had two problems. At first a complete breakdown of the Firewall, and after resolving that, the problems with how Avast manages rule ordering.)
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With secure browser I mean the Avast secure browser, with which I cannot open any pages because the firewall are blocking this browser.
I don't want ti use any other browser (I have Firefox for "emergency")
I tried everything but nothing chaned, I forced updates on Avast security premium but nothing seems to help.
I think it's time to change software, I am tired of all those troubles... it's not possibile to have all these problems with every updates, beacuse we have to pay (and it's not too cheap) to use avast.
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Hi omarquo, you still didn't provide any info (Avast build#) to work with.
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Hi omarquo, you still didn't provide any info (Avast build#) to work with.
You've aldo never told us which firewall you are using.
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I am using the Avast firewall (I have Avast premium security) with the last build released
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I am using the Avast firewall (I have Avast premium security) with the last build released
I also use the Secure Browser and the Avast Firewall and have no problems.
You state you've tried everything which unfortunately from our end doesn't tell us much.
We aren't in front of or controlling your computer so everything for us means nothing.
For basics, here are the steps to follow:
Repair Avast:
Open the Avast User Interface > Menu > Settings > Troubleshooting > Repair App. > Restart the Computer or,
Control Panel> Program and Features (Add/remove program)>Select Avast> Select Repair. Reboot when completed
https://www.avast.com/faq.php?article=AVKB204 (https://www.avast.com/faq.php?article=AVKB204)
If Repair doesn't fix the problem, try the following:
If your Avast settings are not the default settings and you want them restored after the Clean Install, follow this before removing Avast.
https://goo.gl/TXjM7h (https://goo.gl/TXjM7h)
Clean Install of Avast:
https://goo.gl/4Ptzkf (https://goo.gl/4Ptzkf)
If you need additional help with the Clean Install, watch this:
https://youtu.be/p-h3myRD51A (https://youtu.be/p-h3myRD51A)
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In the next few days I will try to cancel and reinstall Avast, let's see what will change (I didn't want to reach this step, but at this point I will even try this last way).
Can you link me please where I can download Avast Premium Security when I have to reinstall It?
I also have cleanup premium, if I use the unistaller tool to remove Avast, I have to reinstall cleanup? if yes, I can download It as trial version from the website and then insert the license without problems?
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In the next few days I will try to cancel and reinstall Avast, let's see what will change (I didn't want to reach this step, but at this point I will even try this last way).
Can you link me please where I can download Avast Premium Security when I have to reinstall It?
I also have cleanup premium, if I use the unistaller tool to remove Avast, I have to reinstall cleanup? if yes, I can download It as trial version from the website and then insert the license without problems?
The download links for the program are listed in the instructions.