No internet after uninstalling Avast

[Richard805]

(Windows 10 64-bit)

Yesterday, Avast kept putting me at 100% CPU which was odd. I checked if there was a software update, and there was one so I installed the update, but did not reboot. Moments later, instead of rebooting to see if it fixed the problem, I decided to uninstall Avast. Right after uninstalling Avast, my internet no longer worked. I rebooted, and it still didn't work. I then tried installing an offline copy of Avast hoping my internet would work again, but it didn't. Next, I tried running the Avast clear software in safe mode, but it didn't fix anything. My network adapter has the triangle with exclamation in device manager. I tried uninstalling, and reinstalling the most recent driver for my network adapter, and that did not work either. I tried Windows diagnoses, which could't help either. Any ideas? Thanks.

[Cluster-Lizard2014]

Are you sure it is not an ISP or connection issue that has just happened to coincide with your AVAST uninstall? Can you test the line you're using is OK using another working PC?       

[bob3160]

Have you reset your Router? Are all the light s flashing? Have you called your internet service provider?
To reset your router, simply disconnect it from electricity, wait 2 minutes and plug it back in.
Wait for all the lights to start blinking again and see if your internet access is back.

[Richard805]

Thank you all for your time.

Yes, my internet is working. I plugged in another PC in the same place on the router, and it works. I've reset the router as well with no luck. The router lights flash appropiately, but the lights for the individual ethernet connection to my PC remains orange (not green). I also tried a system restore which didn't work either.

My event viewer reads:

Intel(R) Ethernet Connection (2) I218-V
    PROBLEM: Unable to start the network adapter
    ACTION: Install the latest driver from ...

[James Moriarty]

I'm not sure, but may be that's help. If you have avast offline installer, instal avast, than reboot pc, than open avast -> security -> network -> and click publik or privat.

[bob3160]

See if this is of any help,
https://appuals.com/fix-windows-could-not-find-a-driver-for-your-network-adapter/

[Richard805]

Thank you all for taking the time to help a stranger.

I was able to fix the problem. For whatever reason, uninstalling Avast caused my network adapter to stop working, however, the issue doesn't seem to be with Avast, rather, it seems to be an issue with some Asus motherboards.

To fix the problem, I shut down my PC, unplugged it from the wall for 10 min., then turned the PC back on, and it worked again. Here's the post with the answer to my problem:

https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/ethernet-adapter-stopped-working-and-now-failed-to-start-code-10.2246916/

[rocksteady]

I do not have an Asus machine but occasionally Win10 looses sight of network or sound after a Shutdown/Startup.
A full "Restart" usually cures my problem, if not switching the router off/on (as suggested by bob) does the trick.

[Cluster-Lizard2014]

Note to self: do not use an Asus MB for your next PC build.

[bob3160]

Note to self: do not use an Asus MB for your next PC build.

When making changes, Always Restart your computer.
Shutting the system down and then starting again doesn't allow settings changes to fully take effect.

[Cluster-Lizard2014]

Yes, but I'm not understanding what that to do with this matter?

Something, and the evidence seems to indicate a dodgy Asus MB driver, caused this issue for the OP. The link provided by Richard805 suggests it is a known problem with some Asus MBs.

Could uninstalling AVAST have triggered it? Seems unlikely but it might be interesting to hear if someone has an educated explanation.   

[Brendan5]

I tried all sorts of things including spending an hour on the phone with Avast Support. My internet went off as soon as I uninstalled Avast Premium Security. I did all the Router reboot stuff but not the Factory Reset.

I then tried Network Reset which is at the bottom of the Network and Internet settings page. I rebooted and now it's working fine though not on my Dual Boot installation of Ubuntu which is still not connecting - but that's a whole other story.