After update to version 12 i'm having issues

[REDACTED]

When I run a smart scan it fails to run the antivirus scan portion of it, how can i fix it, i have uninstalled, rebooted, and reinstalled. Any ideas? It happened after the update to version 12.1.2272

[Pondus]

have you tried removing it with the removal tool and then reinstall?

[REDACTED]

I just got done using the removal tool, still having the same issue.

[DavidR]

What happens if you only do a Quick scan ?

That may point where the issue is, see this topic relating to the Quick scan, https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=181871.0.

I wonder if you have the same issue (I don't), perhaps the Smart Scan times out on the virus scan element.

[Eddy]

I would check the log file(s) to see if there is information on how/what.

[REDACTED]

When I do a quick scan or full scan it executes fine. Only when doing smartscan when it finishes it says "failed" for virus scan, when clicking "Resolve All" it just puts a green check on it instantly and says "You have no viruses".

[DavidR]

As Eddy suggested check out the log file and see if there is anything that may indicate why. Though which log file is the question I believe this one may be the one that would be generated by the smart scan.

C:\ProgramData\AVAST Software\Avast\report\Viruses & Malware.txt

I have just checked mine and whilst it doesn't show much mainly very basic information (start/stop time and duration) as I didn't have any issues.

[REDACTED]

I don't have the report folder, could that be the issue?

[DavidR]

I don't have the report folder, could that be the issue?

You probably don't have hidden folders displayed and ProgramData is hidden and any sub-folders would also be hidden.

In windows Explorer menu > Tools > Folder options > View - ensure that you can view 'Hidden files and folders' (Show). Whilst you are in there it would be worthwhile to uncheck the 'Hide extensions for known file types.'

[REDACTED]

Thanks I did manage to find it, it only showed info about the real time shields and no explanation of anything else.

[DavidR]

Strange, there certainly should have been one for Viruses & Malware.txt and the content in that shouldn't have anything to do with the other shield/s logs.

[REDACTED]

yeah never had that, should i keep using it even though the smart scan isn't working and it's missing some logs and hope maybe an update will fix it?

[DavidR]

yeah never had that, should i keep using it even though the smart scan isn't working and it's missing some logs and hope maybe an update will fix it?

Personally I very rarely use any of the on-demand scans, usually as a response to a topic in the forums.

With a resident (on-access) scanner the need for on-demand scans is much depreciated. For the most part dormant/inert files are being scanned, the other active files are going to be scanned by the resident shields when they are activated.

I also run a minimal installation, not installing anything I don't feel is directly related to security and the software updater. I have a password function already, I don't install browser add-ons that I haven't checked out already before I install them.

As far as network threats go I only installed that once, during beta testing and it gave a clean bill of health, so I couldn't see the point in repeatedly doing this scan.

You can open up the Smart Scan settings and switch off elements that you don't want checked, AvastUI > General > Smart Scan - expand the section to see what is scanned.