Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: Shaun985 on July 05, 2022, 08:01:19 AM
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Avast is blocking automatic updates in Thunderbird. Thunderbird gives message that it is unable to update and directs me to the Mozilla page for direct download.
Anyone else having the same problem? Can we get a fix for this?
Happening on all PCs with all the recent versions of Avast Free and Thunderbird 91.
Currently on Avast ver 22.6.6022 / build 22.6.7355.731 on Windows 10
Only fix right now is to temporarily disable Avast shields when opening Thunderbird so it can update itself.
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Can anyone from Avast comment? Just want to know if this will be looked at.
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Whilst I'm not using avast 22.6 (but 22.5) I haven't had any issues. Having recently (manually) updated to Thunderbird 91.11.0 (64-bit) without issue. This is currently the latest version as far as I'm aware 102 is however on a slow roll out. I don't allow Thunderbird to update automatically, only to check and notify. EDIT: For the most part I find out (here) about new thunderbird updates and manually check for update.
Are you getting any Avast or thunderbird Error message ?
Do you happen to have the Avast Firewall installed ?
If so is Thunderbird allowed ?
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I have tried both automatic and manually checking but it is unable to update (shows that there is no new update). In Thunderbird if I go to help > about it fails to find any updates even though there are. If I just leave it and open/close Thunderbird several times, I get a message from Thunderbird saying it cannot update so I have to download the update myself.
I only have the Avast shields installed, no firewall. When I disable Avast temporarily, the updates start to work again.
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You haven't actually said what Thunderbird version you have ?
Thunderbird isn't updated that frequently, usually minor updates every few weeks or so.
What does your Thunderbird Update History show ?
If I do a manual update it gets an almost immediate response 'Thunderbird is up to date.'
Avast 22.6 was only released at the end of June, but in that topic you are saying that this problem predates that release.
Are you using any other security based software ?
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Sorry, missed that. I am on the same version that you posted a screenshot of, Thunderbird 91.11.0 in Win 10. But I was unable to update from 91.09.0 to 91.10.0 to 91.11.0 until I disabled the Avast shields for each automatic update.
If I use "check for updates" it also showed no updates (says Thunderbird is up to date) available despite that not being true. Disabling Avast then pressing "check for updates" allowed the updater to find updates 91.10.0 and 91.11.0 and install them.
Only using Avast Free. No firewall on. So something in Avast is preventing Thunderbird from finding and applying updates, both through automatic and "check for updates" methods.
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I can't explain why it isn't working for you, but does so for me.
Disabling Avast doesn't pin down the cause, try disabling a shield at a time, start with the web shield. However, you would need to first check that there is an update on the thunderbird website.
What I don't understand is what you said - "If I use "check for updates" it also showed no updates (says Thunderbird is up to date) " message - Then thunderbird has to have been getting through, otherwise how would thunderbird know that there is no update beyond what you have.
You didn't answer my question:
Are you using any other security based software ?
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I am only using Avast Free, no other security software. Strangely it is happening on all the desktops.
I think when Thunderbird isn't getting through it just says that. But when I disable shields then it immediately shows that an update is available and installs it. Unfortunately I can't test this now since I updated everything already.
I am guessing it has something to do with Behavior or Mail shield. Is there some way to reset them and whatever they've decided to block?
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I just find it difficult that it would be on all your systems, so there must be something in common to all. What Firewall are you using ?
Also if it were being blocked by an avast shield I would expect there to be some sort of alert/notification.
Disabling the Shields, isn't a great way of finding the cause as if it is conflict, removing one element of the conflict resolves it but doesn't find the true cause. As I mentioned that should be done by an individual shield at a time to find the cause, but again if it is a conflict it doesn't find the true cause.
There are very limited settings for those shields in the Avast Menu > Settings > Protection > Core Shields, but you can revert to default settings across all Avast settings - Avast Menu > Settings > General > Troubleshooting > Reset to default.
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I am not using any other security or firewall software, just Windows 10 Home and Avast Free. There is a built in firewall for Windows 10 but that's not the issue since Thunderbird connects to update servers just fine with it.
Yes, happening on all systems with the common factor being Avast. Unfortunately it is very difficult for me to rule out different shields as I'd have to wait for updates every time to test each one. I'm almost certain Avast is the culprit and it must be specific to a certain config or something.
Is there any way to directly report this to Avast so they can check it?
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If this was truly a problem for avast and thunderbird users I would have expected to see more topics in the forums.
I'm at a loss as to what to suggest.
Other than what I have already suggested:
Disabling Avast doesn't pin down the cause, try disabling a shield at a time, start with the web shield. However, you would need to first check that there is an update on the thunderbird website.
I say the web shield because you are connecting to the internet to be able to do this check and or download.
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FWIW, if you have indeed updated to 91.11 you will not be able to test check for updates.
TB 102 is not offered as an automatic update at this time.
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Yes, that's the problem. I can't keep checking which shield it is unless I somehow manually roll back the versions every time.
However, I tried something and think I have it narrowed down to Web Shield.
When Avast is on and I click "check for updates", I get a quick progress blip that says "Checking" before it tells me everything is up to date (even though it isn't).
If I disable Web Shield, then the "Checking" part actually takes several seconds and actually connects to the update server.
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That's the problem as the Web Shield doesn't block as such, it should alert.
But if you recall what alanb said:
"FWIW, if you have indeed updated to 91.11 you will not be able to test check for updates."
So that makes it even stranger.
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Just a thought have you checked the Web Shield log file in C:\ProgramData\AVAST Software\Avast\report ?
Note because of the Avast Self Defence module, you can only open it with notepad.
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Unfortunately nothing noted in the logs. I wonder if this has anything to do with the background service that Thunderbird and Firefox use to install auto updates. I've got it disabled now and will wait and see if it can update once TB 102 hits the update channel.
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Interesting and might be indirectly related.
I saw on the Firefox menu bar a little dot indicating a restart was needed to update Firefox. After the restart/update I had FF version 102.01, so I'm hoping that may mean Thunderbird might not be too far behind.
On that same note, I wonder just how similar these firefox/thunderbird update notifications are, as clearly the Firefox one is working.
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Re Thunderbird 102. Just a heads-up.
Note TB102 is not on general (update) release. Some TB extensions do not yet work on TB102, as I found out to my cost after downloading and installing it over top of TB91.
I had to reinstall TB91, also my profiles relating to TB91, as installation of TB102 changes profiles, which then cannot be used if rolling back to an older version e.g. 91.
Some TB extension devs are working on updates, so I will not be allowing auto or manual update from TB91 until that is done.
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Correct, normally Thunderbird updates follow the same sort of pattern, but a relatively short period afterwards.
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Hi,
same issue here : Thunderbird is not updating and keeps warn me that there's a new version, that I have to download.
I a deactivate Avast, Thunderbird is able to upgrade to version 102.
On another PC without Avast, Thunderbird and all extensions are up to date.
Hope Avast will soon fix that issue.
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I have exactly the same issue: No updates on TB 102.0 until I disabled Avast shields for 10 minutes and the updates did come in automatically... No other AV of FW in place. So it is something that needs to be investigated.
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Yeah, I saw this mentioned on reddit from some other users. Hopefully someone from Avast sees this.
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On some (but not all) of the Windows 10 devices under my supervision, I have noticed that attempting a manual update of Thunderbird does not succeed. Thunderbird reports that no updates are available. All of these devices are protected by Avast Free 22.6.
Thunderbird updates (now at 102.0.2) have occurred on more than half of these Windows 10 Avast Free 22.6 protected devices.
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Hi,
I am unable to reproduce this. I was able to update from Thunderbird 91.09.0 to 91.10.0 to 91.11.0 successfully. I am unable to get any other version with or without Avast Antivirus. Perhaps it is an issue on Mozilla's side. Could you please post your support ID here? https://support.avast.com/article/Submit-support-file
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Thunderbird updates (now at 102.0.2) have occurred on more than half of these Windows 10 Avast Free 22.6 protected devices.
That's odd, because according to the 102.0.2 release notes https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/102.0.2/releasenotes/ (https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/102.0.2/releasenotes/):
Thunderbird version 102.0.2 is only offered as direct download from thunderbird.net and not as an upgrade from Thunderbird version 91 or earlier. A future release will provide updates from earlier versions.
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For me I've only been able to verify this with 91.09.0 > 91.10.0 > 91.11.0. Once 102 hits the update channel then I'll see.
The other user probably directly downloaded 102.0.1 and had the same problem updating to 102.0.2.
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Alright, so now that Thunderbird is offering version 102 via automatic updates, I can confirm Thunderbird updates are still being blocked by Avast. I tried disabling individual shields but what worked was just using tray Avast Shields Control > Disable for 10 minutes. This allowed Thunderbird to properly connect to their server and check/apply updates.
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Have you got a a screenshot of this supposed block by Avast ?
I have updated to thunderbird102.1.x recently.
Plus the latest thunderbird version 102.2.0 with no issues. EDIT incorrect version number.
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Ah no, I should've remembered to screenshot the message. It basically said it couldn't apply updates and to download the update directly off the Thunderbird page.
Here's link to users experiencing the same thing and using Avast:
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1378920
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=319793.15
A bug report where some kaspersky users also have the same thing (might be useful to avast staff):
https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1586699
What is happening is exactly as posted by another user here in the other thread:
http://darkyvrac.free.fr/video/2022-07-20%2019%2038%2009.mp4
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Hi Shaun985,
I'm very sorry you are having issues with avast.
Could you please help us with the investigation by providing some data?
When the issue reappears again could you please:
- enable debug logging (Menu > Settings > General > Troubleshooting > Enable debug logging)
- reproduce the issue (update Thunderbird).
- create a support package (https://support.avast.com/en-eu/article/Submit-support-file) and post the ID here.
Thank you very much,
HK
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Ok will do. Can you tell me what specific information is created in the support file?
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Hi!
The support package collects all the log files related to the antivirus, it does not collect any personal information like email messages etc.
Best regards,
HK
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yes, I had the same problem. Avast was blocking Thunderbird updates plus causing problems with other stuff. Win 7 system.
But I found an easy solution. I used the avastclear.exe to uninstall Avast, put avast in the trash can, and went with another AV.
Viola! Thunderbird updated the first time I ran it, and other problems were resolved.
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...and now I am gone.
Avast is just a bad memory, soon to be forgotten
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Hi!
The support package collects all the log files related to the antivirus, it does not collect any personal information like email messages etc.
Best regards,
HK
Alright I will do it this weekend when I am back. Have you looked at the links I provided? Someone mentioned having to put all the thunderbird update urls into exceptions in order to connect but I won't be able to test this until weekend.
Here's link to users experiencing the same thing and using Avast:
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1378920
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=319793.15
A bug report where some kaspersky users also have the same thing (might be useful to avast staff):
https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1586699
What is happening is exactly as posted by another user here in the other thread:
http://darkyvrac.free.fr/video/2022-07-20%2019%2038%2009.mp4
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Hello,
today we released a new beta version that should fix all the connection problems. Would you please be so kind and try the beta and check whether you can successfully update thunderbird?
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=320992.0
Thanks in advance,
HK
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Hi HK! Thanks very much for the help!
So today I was able to try something (same as the first link I provided) under Avast exceptions I added the thunderbird update urls and was able to get updates no problem.
Is there any way to get the fix through regular updates? I'm not comfortable with installing betas.
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Жесть ;D уже месяц пытаюсь понять почему фандерберд не хочет сам себя обновлять а предлогает сделать это вручную. Причем обновления выходят часто и почти через день он просит обновите меня пожалуйста :) Оказывается и тут Аваст приложил руку, наверно не увидев этой темы я бы не додумался... отключил экраны аваст и фандерберд обновился...
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Please post here in English or find your own language section here https://forum.avast.com/index.php#c7
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Installed new Sep update (22.9.6034) and can confirm the issue is not fixed, did it contain the beta fixes?
Avast continues to block Thunderbird from connecting to its own update servers.
Only solution so far is adding Avast exception urls: aus.thunderbird.net and www.thunderbird.net as shared on Mozilla forums by other users experiencing same problem with Avast:
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1378920
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Admittedly I haven't read through EVERY post but I have the same issue...
Thunderbird 102 (all versions) 32BIT on Windows 10 with Avast Free has always updated & continues to update with no issues.
Thunderbird 102 (all versions) 64BIT on Windows 11 with Avast One is the one I continue to have problems with.
I have to believe that Avast One/Free versions don't differ in their detection scheme so I believe the issue lies in either the 32/64 or W10/W11 differences. Can anyone else comment on their Thunderbird installs? Hopefully this will give the Avast support people some further clues.
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Can we get confirmation on this? Was the beta fix included in this update? If so, just wanted to let you know it still didn't fix the issue.
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We are past the referenced beta now. I'm running 22.9.6034 (build 22.9.7554.734) Still an issue on my 64bit install.
Shaun, is your Thunderbird 32 or 64 bit? I'm only having trouble with the 64bit version on W11. My 32bit install on W10 updates fine. :-\
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Avast Free 22.9.6034 (build 22.9.7554.734) with Thunderbird 32 bit on Win 10. Lol
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OK, so much for that theory. How weird is that! No wonder they are having a difficult time figuring it out.
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Have you tried the solution here? It works for me but isn't ideal since the problem is with Avast itself.
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1378920
You just add as exceptions in Avast: 'aus.thunderbird.net' and also 'www.thunderbird.net'
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Yes, that's exactly what I've done. I'm with you though... I'd like to see the actual issue addressed.
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More posts on Mozilla forum about the Avast update problem. Apparently AVG is also doing this:
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1388972#answer-1535689
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1384853
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1387580
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1390566
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1389993
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1391097
Seems either (1) adding Thunderbird update server exclusions to Avast or (2) disabling QUIC/HTTP3 scanning in Web Shield solves the issue, however (2) does not work for me.
Avast staff, any progress on this? It was supposed to be fixed in the last beta but I can confirm after the latest update the issue still exists.
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Hi,
Our devs are looking into this.