hi steve42lawson,
I looked at the screenshot that you were kind enough to provide, and I really do not see a problem here. Sorry, but if the window in question says the virus update is up-to-date, it is up-to-date, and that is good enough for me.
As for the server error reported, it is just that, a server error. When something like this happens, it will take enormous resources at a company like Avast! to fix and resolve; it also will take a bit more time to deploy and push out the fix they are now deploying.
Think of what happens when you or someone else has a bad auto accident on a major city freeway; traffic will back up, emergency responders must arrive, and time will be needed to investigate the cause of the crash, victims need to be transported to the hospital as quickly as they can be, and only after the accident scene is cleared and fixed up, does the flow of traffic come back to a normal level.
EDIT: A multi-vehicle crash is even worse, so..
That is kind of what has happened here. Just so you know.
1. avast! staff should know about this within a minute or two of it happening unless no one is in visual distance or communication with the server, which should never be the case.
2. In any case avast! needs to add a feature to their software that sends a pop-up message and email to users immediately notifying them that "updates will not forthcoming at this time due to a technical problem"
That is the least they should do.
The fact that the inability to update defintions for a short period may not be critical to the user's computer is totally irrrelevant. People who use the software need to be informed by the software, email or text message what is happening rather than wasting their time coming to the forum and being given misleading information even if unintentional.
When my network goes down I do not get an email but as soon as it goes down I can call my provider and an automated message will tell me if it is a general network outage in my area or not. Having to go to a forum where the helpers can be in the dark about what is going on as much as the users is not the best way to handle problems like this.