ERROR: HTMLayout.dll cannot be loaded to properly start GUI.

[Sarge]

On my laptop running Windows 8.1.1 I get the following error message when Avast starts after windows boots:

HTMLayout.dll cannot be loaded to properly start GUI. Therefore process cannot continue.

The Avast "ball" isn't in my notification tray and I get the same error message if I try to launch the Avast GUI manually.

This just started happening today after I ran Windows Update and installed the updates. Which update broke Avast's GUI I don't know, but it must have been one of them. Anyways, the task manager shows that "avast! Service" (which is really AvastSvc.exe) is still running in the background as a process, and Services.msc shows "avast! Antivirus" is logged in and running as a service but I'm not sure how a lack of GUI is impacting antivirus protection.  Should I be concerned? Is a fix coming? A little help please?

[plsrepli]

Hello Sarge,

My uneducataed guess would be "if it can't be loaded, it might be missing." With that said, I am also running Win 8.1.1 with Avast 2014.9.0.2018 and here are the specific locations where that DLL exists (on my rig):



This issue seems to be popping up more frequently and I have seen many recommendations indicating this DLL is required to be resident in other locations on one's PC; however, I do not have that DLL resident in any of those "alternate" locations so I would try the following:

Make sure that DLL is resident in both locations (as identified above).
If missing from one but resident in the other, try to copy the resident copy to the location where it is missing.
If no joy from the above, try a repair install.
If still no joy, download avastclear, run it, and then do a clean install of the latest Avast version.

http://www.avast.com/en-us/uninstall-utility

Good luck,

plsrepli

[CraigB]

Sarge have you tried rebooting your system again, if that fails to fix the problem proceed with a repair.

[Sarge]

Rebooted, same error.
I checked and Avast Layout.dll is still where it's supposed to be. Rebooted, same error. Will try a repair-install.

[Sarge]

Installer won't run, same error!!! I downloaded the "online installer" and guess what? Same god dam error. Can I have a link to the offline installer?

[Sarge]

  Ok now this is geting annoying. Found an offline installer, ran it... same error. Won't let me proceed. Going to have to use a restore point.

Anyone else have tis happen to them?

[CraigB]

Did you try the avastclear tool http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avastclear.exe and a clean install? there's obviously some corruption there somewhere so it'd be worth starting from scratch imo.

[Sarge]

Ok, I did a total system reset. Right back to the factory state, complete with bloatware. After uninstalling most of the bloatware (a grand total of two I find useful) I'm gonna do all the windows updates (including this months) and then install Avast. If it still is foobar I don't want to live on this planet anymore. Wish me luck.

[CraigB]

Good luck

[thekochs]

Ok, I did a total system reset. Right back to the factory state, complete with bloatware. After uninstalling most of the bloatware (a grand total of two I find useful) I'm gonna do all the windows updates (including this months) and then install Avast. If it still is foobar I don't want to live on this planet anymore. Wish me luck.

I'm sure one of the bloatwares is that always super useful free (POS) A/V......which you may have uninstalled.
Even so, make 110% sure you not just uninstall but also completely remove remnants.
Here is How-To from Avast for 3rd party: http://www.avast.com/faq.php?article=AVKB11#artTitle
Also, really look in the Program to see any other security software other than A/V like port protectors, etc.
A lot of times the PC manufacturer also has their own "security" software along with 3rd party A/V.
Get rid of all of it IMHO.
Also use CCleaner as well...it IMHO the only credible one out there: https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner

There is older Forum post that I did from a lot of folks posts...first part may be good read for you.
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=143284.0

[Sarge]

Well, I did a reset and it was fine for a while. Did all the updates etc... and today I wake up, turn it on and the dam thing says "Working on features, do not turn off your compute." What the f**k Windows, I didn't install any updates or fiddle with any of the features, why are you messing with the OS? And guess what, when finally it boots to the desktop... Avast is FUBAR again!  So I go look at System Restore, and it says the last restore point was... and freaking Language Pack removal?! First off, I didn't install any god dam language packs, and second I sure as hell didn't order a removal. Apparently Windows is now actively trying to destroy my PC.

Effing Windows 8, worst OS ever designed by man. I'd uninstall it and install Windows 7 but I don't have a 7 license for this laptop.

By the way, this laptop came with Norton, and the first thing I do whenever I have to deal with OEM bloatware is uninstall McAfee or Norton. But if I have to do another god dam Reset I'll try running CCC and see if that helps at all.

So, now I'm in the middle of another blasted System Restore. If that works I'm not installing Avast. Sorry, but I don't have time to waste dealing with this a third time.

[plsrepli]

Hi Sarge,

I feel your pain with this issue. If you decide to give Avast another try, please make sure you have removed all remnants of that Norton trialware by downloading and running this Norton uninstaller:

https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/home/current/solutions/kb20080710133834EN_EndUserProfile_en_us

Good luck to you.

plsrepli

[davidparks21]

By the way, this laptop came with Norton, and the first thing I do whenever I have to deal with OEM bloatware is uninstall McAfee or Norton. But if I have to do another god dam Reset I'll try running CCC and see if that helps at all.

I think the issue is related to norton, I encountered the same immediately after uninstalling the norton trial ware. Haven't figured out how to fix it yet, but I'll try this norton removal tool.

If anyone has an answer for this, it'd be appreciated, this post is showing up high in google results.

So far I've tried these approaches unsuccessfully:
 - http://readmore.16mb.com/avast-2014-error-htmlayout-dll-is-missing-from-your-computer.html
 - Fully remove norton/reboot with: https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/home/current/solutions/kb20080710133834EN_EndUserProfile_en_us

[thekochs]

Here is Avast FAQ on this subject: http://www.avast.com/faq.php?article=AVKB11#artTitle
....BEST  site with EXEs already there for download: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k_GS_9sETRJHgKveyvov27Qb2-85DbbWDF0XwW1OaU8/edit?pli=1
....another site for uninstaller links: http://singularlabs.com/uninstallers/security-software/
....3rd party option: http://www.appremover.com/
....another...http://www.ache.nl > malware > remove (old) av
AFTER the above cleaning of "remnants' I also use/run CCleaner.....it is very easy & reputable to remove temp files, etc.  It even has a registry cleaner that is one of few that is safe. The nice thing about CCleaner is you can run it instead of Empty-Recycle-Bin....very easy, quick: https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner

I'd also install MalwareBytes Free and run scanner and remove any PUPs....maybe something else or something sticking around.
https://www.malwarebytes.org/free/

[drake127]

Hi guys, I believe we identified (thanks to one helpful Australian fellow) the issue with the htmlayout.dll and we will include the fix in the upcoming version of avast! However, the root cause of this issue is broken Windows localization information and some of the following steps might also fix the issue (restart is probably required):
- change Windows region, language and date/time settings (and perhaps change it back later).
- install/uninstall language pack or set different language pack for the user
- create new local user

We didn't get opportunity to test these scenarios but if somebody wants to try, I will be glad to hear the results.