wow-64.exe not launching properly after avast update

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Upon launching world of warcraft 64-bit executable wow-64.exe, nothing happens for a few minutes while it sits in task manager using cpu usage, then a black screen appears, requiring a end task on wow-64.exe. This issue does not happen with the 32 bit executable wow.exe, it only happens when avast is running, after the latest update to avast version 18.1.2326 (build 18.1.3800.0), previous release of avast caused not such issue, Just letting everyone know about that.

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I'm glad to see I'm not the only one having this issue. Hopefully someone on the Avast team can shed some light on this and soon!

[Pete from Avast]

I've reported this to our developers!

In the meantime, can you try adding exclusions in your shields to your WOW game folder or to the executable to see if this resolves the issue?

https://support.avast.com/en-ww/article/168/

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Added exclusions to shields for both wow-64.exe and path C:\Users\Public\Games\World of Warcraft, Same issue occurs.

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Same here. Exclusion added but still not able to launch WoW.

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Having the same issue!.

World of Warcraft will only run from their launcher after a clean pc reboot.  If I then close wow &/or it's launcher down, when I re-open the launcher and click 'launch game' wow hangs.  It shows WOW running in the background proceses on (task manager) but nothing shows on the screen.  It also DOES NOT show as running on my task bar.  After 2-3 mins the screen goes black and WOW closes itself down due to 'not responding'.  If I reboot my PC them WOW runs once only then stops for subsequent re-loads.  I'm not sure I could have continued having to reboot my pc every time I wanted to log into WOW.

I tried adding WOW to the exclusion list - nothing - still the same.

Next I stopped/closed Avast down so it wasn't running at all - still nothing.

Eventually I removed AVAST from my PC completely - Now WOW runs perfectly, exactly as it should & how it's always run.

If I'm not the only one with this issue and there are 24+ Million active World of Warcraft subscribers (£9.99 a month) in Europe alone then Avast may have a big problem looming.

I've always had Avast on all my PC's/laptops over the years and I've NEVER had an issue with their software, but this has forced me to make a change.


My conclusion is at present - 'UNINSTALL AVAST FROM YOUR PC & DOWNLOAD ANOTHER ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE' until the issues fixed.

Sorry to be so harsh but when you pay for a game you can't play because of your anti-virus software blocking it then the anti-virus has to go.

Avast - Fix the issue and I'll gladly return to you.

[bob3160]

No problems here. Try the following to Repair Avast:
Control Panel> Program and Features (Add/remove program)>Select Avast> Select Repair. Reboot when completed
https://www.avast.com/faq.php?article=AVKB204
If Repair doesn't fix the problem, try the following:
Clean Install of Avast:
https://goo.gl/4Ptzkf

If it's already been un-installed use the following to install Avast: How to Successfully Install Avast http://goo.gl/VLXde

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Just pumping generic solves at me or others won't help.

The problem ISN'T with a faulty/corrupt file.  I neglected to mention I have already tried the 'Repair Avast' feature.  This did nothing to resolve the issue.

The problem appears to be since the latest Feb 2018 update which has altered the way Avast looks/deals with programs on your PC. Whatever was updated in Feb for some reason has screwed with the 'World of Warcraft' program only!.  Obviously their programmers haven't tested the updates correctly.

Avast is working OK with everything else and it allows 'WOW' to be run/opened once only but then blocks any subsequent loads.  If Avast intrinsically had a fault with it's base programing then it wouldn't let WOW be opened in the first place.  It's the update which is problematic.

[Asyn]

You can report a suspected FP (File/Website) here: https://www.avast.com/false-positive-file-form.php

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I've done a Clean install, a repair, added Exclusions to the shields,  the behavior shield, the scanner, and the general exclusions tab. I even went as far as right clicking the Task Tray icon and temporarily disabling all shields.

Nothing.

I pay for Avast Premiere and would expect something I have payed for since 2009 to function at least basically properly.

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You can report a suspected FP (File/Website) here: https://www.avast.com/false-positive-file-form.php

It's not a false positive. There are no pop up messages saying it's been block and is a suspected virus. It's just outright not letting the program run.

[bob3160]

Since Avast is already aware of the problem, (see reply #2) you'll need to wait for them to
fix the problem. Hopefully they'll update their findings soon.

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That's fine but an update or something instead of just leaving us out here to hang would be nice.

[Alikhan]

Does it occur with the latest version v18.2.2328?

If it doesn't, I'll get this escalated again - it's been two weeks and the response hasn't been good enough.

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I posted about this on this forum and on the WoW tech support forum, with no resolution. It is 100% an Avast issue. I have added Exclusions under every area, disabled the shields, etc., but nothing worked. I finally caved and called Avast's support team and they had me uninstall Avast. Sure as heck, WoW worked just fine with no Avast. I could open and close it like normal. Upon installing Avast again it started having the issue.