Avast Free 20.6.2420 Ransomware shield module error, can't open settings

[velvetine]

I didn't want to update avast to 20.7 when it came out because of how many people were saying that it made their computer inoperable due to memory leak issues.

Now that I DO want to update it, clicking the Menu button at the top right works just fine, as does everything else in it, but when I click settings the Menu panel just closes. I can't access the settings in any way.

All shields are also working fine, but the Ransomware shield displays a red screen with "Module Error. Failed to load module AntiRansomware. SyntaxError: Unexpected token ."

Any ideas? Is it a virus?

At time of writing:
Avast Free 20.6.2420
Definitions version: 201206-02
UI version:  1.0.584

Windows 10 home 2004 update

No history of other antivirus on this computer, only avast since the day I got it

[Asyn]

1. Download Avast Free Antivirus: https://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_free_antivirus_setup_offline.exe
2. Follow instructions: https://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility (Run this tool for all prior installed Avast versions..!!)
3. Reinstall Avast with the downloaded installer from point 1.
4. Reboot.

[velvetine]

Thanks for the reply!

Should I attempt a repair through windows settings > applications, or control panel > add/remove programs, before performing what you described?

[Asyn]

Should I attempt a repair through windows settings > applications, or control panel > add/remove programs, before performing what you described?

Well, you can try.

[velvetine]

So I tried a repair through apps and settings > uninstall > repair, after which the settings menu and Ransomware shield appeared to work normally until restart.

After restarting, it went back to the original state of being broken.

Followed your instructions and now have avast running normally on my system, thanks for the help Asyn!

Cheers

[Asyn]

You're welcome.