avast keeps crashing

[spxe]

so, recently started having this problem. the tray icon shows the red X, when i hover over it, a red box saying "you are unprotected" shows, when i try to open it at first it's a blank box which after maybe 30 seconds displays a "sorry, we've crashed" screen. while crashed, constant 20-25% cpu usage and sometimes the sound on music and videos starts lagging. tried repairing, reinstalling with newest version from the website, even deleting all avast-related data. it works for maybe two or three days, then back to the red icon. program or pc restart does not help, instantly shows the X.
no new hardware or software installed recently, so i don't even know where to look. maybe someone has a clue?

free antivirus on windows x64

[DavidR]

Have you tried an Avast Repair ?
AvastUI > Menu > Settings > General > Troubleshooting > APP Repair - Restart after completion.

[spxe]

is that a different kind of repair from the one accessed through the uninstaller? because that's the only thing that works while everything else has crashed. nevertheless, did that one to get it working again, and then did it the way you described. we'll see

[DavidR]

It is essentially the same, just triggered from a different (quicker) location, if you are able to get to that location. 

But I would emphasise doing a system restart after the repair though, regardless where you initiate the Repair from.

[spxe]

i always do a restart after these anyway.

but - today avast has died on me again. didn't even last a day.

[DavidR]

Have you added any new software recently, if so what ?

If not I would take the next step a clean reinstall.
Clean Reinstall - 1. - Download the avast! Uninstall Utility, avastclear.exe https://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility and save it to your HDD. Make a note of the steps required or print the page.
2. - Download the latest Avast off-line installation file for your Avast Program see this post for a link https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=317641.msg1679170#msg1679170 and save to your HDD.

Follow the instructions in the link in 1.

[spxe]

tried avastclear and the offline installer. seemed to work for a few days but now i'm back at the red X once again. it seems like it always happens after windows startup, like it's working fine the whole day, i shut down my computer, go to sleep, boot it the next day and it's gone.
haven't installed any new software, i mentioned that in the first post. i know that would be the place to start.
might just go and re-install the whole operating system some time soon because this is pissing me off. i've used avast almost exclusively for at least 10 years, i'd rather not change to anything else now, i really liked it until this started happening.

[Asyn]

- OS..? (32/64 Bit..? - which SP/Build..?)
- Other security related software installed..?

[spxe]

the os is 64bit, that's also in the first post. i'm still on win7 (sp1, all the latest updates), but that shouldn't be an issue as it's still supported, right?

no other security software, nor has there ever been since my last windows install

[Asyn]

i'm still on win7 (sp1, all the latest updates)...

Hi, it's already fixed in the beta (22.2), see: https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=317706.msg1680193#msg1680193

[spxe]

thank you! finally some answers. then i assume the fix will come in the next full version aswell?

[Asyn]

thank you! finally some answers. then i assume the fix will come in the next full version aswell?

You're welcome and yes.

[jelena24]

I had the exactly same problem as described by spxe, on Windows 7 64bit SP1, with the latest stable Avast Antivirus free version, no other security software installed, no HW/SW changed on the PC in the meantime... tried repair, clean re-install, etc. but nothing helped.
I can confirm that installing Beta version solves the issue.

[Asyn]

I had the exactly same problem as described by spxe, on Windows 7 64bit SP1, with the latest stable Avast version, no other security software installed, no HW/SW changed on the PC in the meantime... tried repair, clean re-install, etc. but nothing helped.
I can confirm that installing Beta version solves the issue.

Thanks for the feedback.

[guy.rouillier]

Found this topic via search.  I'm facing the same issue on Windows 7 64-bit SP1.  Avast version 22.7.6024.  Every boot, it says "Sorry, we've crashed".  No other security software on this system.  I had previously applied the beta software when the Anti-Exploit shield was preventing my VirtualBox VMs from running.  See thread here:

https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=319869.15

That issue was resolved by Avast, so I re-enabled all shields.  Now I've been getting this crash message for about 2 weeks.  After posting this, I'll try doing a fresh install to see if that helps.

[EDIT] For those who may find this via search, I first tried doing a repair from within the Avast interface.  No success.  So, I then downloaded the offline installer for the latest version, uninstalled Avast, rebooted.  Then before installing, I opened up the registry editor, and removed all Avast entries. While doing that, I noticed some bogus entries in the registry, at least one of which seemed to have been added by Avast.  I could easily tell they were bogus; for example, one was under HK_CURRENT_USER, and would have been "Software" except the first character was garbled - displayed as some graphic character.  So, I got rid of about a half dozen of bogus entries.

I then installed Avast using the offline installer.  After rebooting, everything is now running error-free.