Unable to connect with user interface

[jf22]

I started up a laptop I hadn't used for a few weeks. Ran a smartscan, went fine. Then I decided to do a boot-time scan. Loaded up the specialized definitions. Wasn't watching but based on elapsed time they probably hadn't finished loading and instead I had a screen that read something like restart now. I clicked it. Next was a notice to install a new version of the Avast program. I clicked to do so.  Computer restarted and Avast icon had a red x and stated you are unprotected. User interface a black rectangle with words "Loading . . . This shouldn't take long." Waited awhile. Nothing happened. Not sure what went wrong but I think perhaps the new version has a problem.
Please advise.
Thank you!

[Asyn]

Repair Avast:
1. Control Panel -> Add/Remove programs -> Avast
2. Click on 'Repair'.
3. Follow instructions.
4. Reboot.

[jf22]

Thank you for the reply. I went to the control panel, uninstall, etc, and clicked on Avast. The options vary for different programs. For Avast there is Uninstall and Change but no repair option. I double checked this with a different computer where Avast is working (Avast program has not been updated). I need a new approach if anyone has one. Thank you again.

[Pondus]

For Avast there is Uninstall and Change but no repair option.

And if you click change, do you then see repair ?


Repairing Avast Antivirus  >>  https://support.avast.com/en-ww/article/Repair-Antivirus

[jf22]

Thank you for the suggestion Pondus. I clicked on Uninstall in the control panel. A window came up with 3 choices--update, repair, modify. I clicked on repair. To make a long story short, at the end it asked me to reboot. When I did so the same problem was still there--red x, unprotected, etc. I was thinking that probably I would have to uninstall and re-install Avast but I decided to give it one more try.  I went back and clicked on uninstall in the control panel, and this time I clicked on the option called update. Very quickly it said it was done. I was waiting in dread for the red x etc but it did not appear and I was able to go to the normal interface. I looked at my update screen. The program had been updated but it said I needed to reboot. I expected another failure, so before I faced it, I ran a smartscan, which went fine. Then I held my breath and rebooted. Amazingly, no red x appeared and the Avast program is updated. This may help some people. If so, to summarize:
1. control panel
2. Avast, uninstall
3. update option
4. Check if program is updated and asks you to reboot.
5. If so, reboot.
Hopefully, this will work for you.

[bob3160]

If Repair doesn't fix the problem, try the following:
If your Avast settings are not the default settings and you want them restored after the Clean Install, follow this before removing Avast.
https://goo.gl/TXjM7h
Clean Install of Avast:
https://goo.gl/4Ptzkf
If you need additional help with the Clean Install, watch this:
https://youtu.be/p-h3myRD51A

[jf22]

Thank, Bob. I did find a way to fix the problem, which I describe in my prior post I hope it helps others.

[vk7dg]

I had a similar issue after I updated Windows 10 to the latest update 1909. When this was completed opening the application interface on the desktop did nothing. Remedied by doing the uninstall and selecting repair. I had to re-enter the license code as it was displaying 30 days left instead of my normal subscription.