Hi robertmbalzli, welcome to the forum
Good that you have fixed the problem yourself : Repair is always a good first option to try.
But I must say this issue is new to me, and maybe also to Eddy, so I can imagine why he advised a clean install with a bigger chance of success.
About the "Avast customer support" you have conntacted ( by phone I guess ) : It is a third party support company, and we Avast users here on the forum don't recommend to contact them either.
Greetz, Red.