Problem with Avast startup.

[bilnrobn12]

When I turn on my computer and log in, after a short time the Avast orange icon, indicating I am protected, appears in the tray. Lately, after a short period, fairly often a small cross in red appears at the bottom left of the icon. Hovering over it I get a "You are not protected" warning. Clicking or double clicking on the icon or on the desktop icon, or right clicking on either and clicking 'Open' does nothing. Meanwhile I have opened my browser or other internet connecting software and my only option is to close all internet connections and either reboot the computer and hope it doesn't happen next time or wait an indeterminable period until the little cross vanishes and I am again protected.

Why has this suddenly started happening and can I do anything about it? I'd appreciate some advice. I have Windows 10 on a desktop with Firefox browser and Avast Premium.

 

[rocksteady]

First thing to try is Repair of Avast AV App.
Open the User Interface.
Then Menu>Settings>General>troubleshooting [Repair App]

Also do a system Restart (not a shutdown/startup).

[bilnrobn12]

Thanks for that. I have tried both shutting down and then rebooting and also doing a straight restart, but it made no difference.

The repair sounds promising, but I ran into a snag... It wouldn't accept my password and, at the password screen, it doesn't offer a password recovery routine. How can I  set a new one or recover the original one?

[Asyn]

The repair sounds promising, but I ran into a snag... It wouldn't accept my password and, at the password screen, it doesn't offer a password recovery routine. How can I  set a new one or recover the original one?

-> https://support.avast.com/article/Remove-Antivirus-password

[bilnrobn12]

Thanks Asyn, I've now done that and set up a new password.

Rocksteady, I've tried again with a new password set. At 'Menu/Settings', when it asked for my password, I entered the new password but it still says it is incorrect. I was certain the previous password was correct, and when changing the password it accepted the old one as correct. Also, at 'Menu/Log in' it accepts the password.  It seems the password screen at 'Settings' is not working correctly, always rejecting correct passwords. Why does it even ask me to sign in when I am already signed in?

[Asyn]

Thanks Asyn, I've now done that and set up a new password.

You're welcome.

[rocksteady]

Have you done a full restart of your machine?
Also you can do a repair via add/remove programs or Apps and Features (Win10).
Just select uninstall and you should then see a "Repair" option.
I have never used a password in Avast so do not know myself if you will be asked again when trying to do a repair that way.

You may have to wait for someone with relevant knowledge of password protected Avast settings.

[bilnrobn12]

Yes, I have done full restarts. I have also changed my password, but the new one still won't let me into Settings.
Anyway all academic now as the initial problem doesn't seem to be happening anymore; it stopped a few days ago.
No idea why it happened or why it no longer does but am reluctant to do a 'Modify' to the whole Avast system. Is there one element I should get it to do alone? 'Password' sounds logical.

[rocksteady]

...
Also you can do a repair via add/remove programs or Apps and Features (Win10).
Just select uninstall and you should then see a "Repair" option.

Did you try that way to do a Avast App Repair?

So you are still unable to enter Menu>Settings with your password.
Hope some other user has knowledge of password protected Avast settings, or an Avast staff member can jump in.