Avast won't scan.

[Bowdon]

I updated Avast yesterday and decided today to do a scan.

I went to the scan for viruses page and noticed that only Boot-time scan is in the drop down panel. When I press Scan a message comes up saying: "Unable to start scan. The IOCTL call made by the application program is not correct". I can only press OK to this box and thats it.

There is no other option to scan.

[Pondus]

try avast repair

controlpanel > ad/remove programs > avast > uninstall/change > repair option .... wait a minute and reboot

any change?

[Bowdon]

I just tried the repair option and though windows is saying I've got no protection the avast icon keeps spinning around.

How long does the repair take to do?

I'm wondering if avast updated properly when I updated the version, as it immediately detected my modem stats program and I never got the proper pop-up that avast does when the update it complete.

So at the moment, what do I do now? The icon is still spinning and I'm nervous to turn off the comp.

[Bowdon]

Ok, I took a chance on rebooting the PC and it seemed to work. Windows recognises the avast as its virus protection.

But I still only have boot time scan option in the scan for viruses screen. Why isnt the quick scan there?

I've heard some people say that custom scans still work. So what options do I add to a custom scan to make it scan like the quick scan?

[Alikhan]

It would be best for you to do a fresh install since it seems your Avast installation has been corrupt during the update:

You need to do a clean install of avast!...

1. Download Avastclear and the appropriate Avast edition.

Note: It's important you used the stub online installer from the one I linked.. NOT the offline one.

Note: You need to be ONLINE during this install (online installer works in all cases whereas offline sometimes doesn't)

http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_free_antivirus_setup_online.exe
http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_pro_antivirus_setup_online.exe
http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_internet_security_setup_online.exe
http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_premier_antivirus_setup_online.exe

Avastclear : http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avastclear.exe

2. Uninstall Avast by control panel  [If you don't have Avast in control Panel go to #3]
3. Uninstall in safe mode using Avastclear. [Running Avastclear is normal mode will give a prompt to go into Safe Mode]
Check : Once uninstalled check in device manager>view>show hidden devices if there is anything related to avast with a yellow triangle.. if so, uninstall it and reboot.
5. Install the version you downloaded.
6. Reboot.

Note : If you have a paid license, insert the license key/activation code after the reboot at stage 6.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

[Bowdon]

I thought I'd give a quick update. I unstalled Avast using the control panel remove program. Then when it was completely removed it asked me to reboot. Then when my pc loaded back up, I used the avast link you listed and reinstalled Avast and now all the options for scanning are there.

Thanks for the help.

[Alikhan]

I thought I'd give a quick update. I unstalled Avast using the control panel remove program. Then when it was completely removed it asked me to reboot. Then when my pc loaded back up, I used the avast link you listed and reinstalled Avast and now all the options for scanning are there.

Thanks for the help.

You're welcome.

[bob3160]

The repair actually fixed the problem as you found out after the reboot.
A repair must be followed by a reboot of the system to complete the repair.