Avast is blocking Thunderbird updates

[Shaun985]

Avast is blocking automatic updates in Thunderbird.  Thunderbird gives message that it is unable to update and directs me to the Mozilla page for direct download.
Anyone else having the same problem?  Can we get a fix for this?

Happening on all PCs with all the recent versions of Avast Free and Thunderbird 91.
Currently on Avast ver 22.6.6022 / build 22.6.7355.731 on Windows 10

Only fix right now is to temporarily disable Avast shields when opening Thunderbird so it can update itself.

[Shaun985]

Can anyone from Avast comment?  Just want to know if this will be looked at.

[DavidR]

Whilst I'm not using avast 22.6 (but 22.5) I haven't had any issues.  Having recently (manually) updated to Thunderbird 91.11.0 (64-bit) without issue.  This is currently the latest version as far as I'm aware 102 is however on a slow roll out.  I don't allow Thunderbird to update automatically, only to check and notify.  EDIT: For the most part I find out (here) about new thunderbird updates and manually check for update.

Are you getting any Avast or thunderbird Error message  ?

Do you happen to have the Avast Firewall installed ?
If so is Thunderbird allowed  ?

[Shaun985]

I have tried both automatic and manually checking but it is unable to update (shows that there is no new update).  In Thunderbird if I go to help > about it fails to find any updates even though there are.  If I just leave it and open/close Thunderbird several times, I get a message from Thunderbird saying it cannot update so I have to download the update myself.

I only have the Avast shields installed, no firewall.  When I disable Avast temporarily, the updates start to work again.

[DavidR]

You haven't actually said what Thunderbird version you have  ?
Thunderbird isn't updated that frequently, usually minor updates every few weeks or so.

What does your Thunderbird Update History show  ?
If I do a manual update it gets an almost immediate response 'Thunderbird is up to date.'

Avast 22.6 was only released at the end of June, but in that topic you are saying that this problem predates that release.

Are you using any other security based software  ?

[Shaun985]

Sorry, missed that.  I am on the same version that you posted a screenshot of,  Thunderbird 91.11.0 in Win 10.  But I was unable to update from 91.09.0 to 91.10.0 to 91.11.0 until I disabled the Avast shields for each automatic update.

If I use "check for updates" it also showed no updates (says Thunderbird is up to date) available despite that not being true.  Disabling Avast then pressing "check for updates" allowed the updater to find updates 91.10.0 and 91.11.0 and install them.

Only using Avast Free.  No firewall on.  So something in Avast is preventing Thunderbird from finding and applying updates, both through automatic and "check for updates" methods.

[DavidR]

I can't explain why it isn't working for you, but does so for me.

Disabling Avast doesn't pin down the cause, try disabling a shield at a time, start with the web shield.  However, you would need to first check that there is an update on the thunderbird website.

What I don't understand is what you said - "If I use "check for updates" it also showed no updates (says Thunderbird is up to date) " message - Then thunderbird has to have been getting through, otherwise how would thunderbird know that there is no update beyond what you have. 

You didn't answer my question:
Are you using any other security based software  ?

[Shaun985]

I am only using Avast Free, no other security software.  Strangely it is happening on all the desktops.

I think when Thunderbird isn't getting through it just says that.  But when I disable shields then it immediately shows that an update is available and installs it.  Unfortunately I can't test this now since I updated everything already.

I am guessing it has something to do with Behavior or Mail shield.  Is there some way to reset them and whatever they've decided to block?

[DavidR]

I just find it difficult that it would be on all your systems, so there must be something in common to all.  What Firewall are you using ?
Also if it were being blocked by an avast shield I would expect there to be some sort of alert/notification.

Disabling the Shields, isn't a great way of finding the cause as if it is conflict, removing one element of the conflict resolves it but doesn't find the true cause.  As I mentioned that should be done by an individual shield at a time to find the cause, but again if it is a conflict it doesn't find the true cause.

There are very limited settings for those shields in the Avast Menu > Settings > Protection > Core Shields, but you can revert to default settings across all Avast settings - Avast Menu > Settings > General > Troubleshooting > Reset to default.

[Shaun985]

I am not using any other security or firewall software, just Windows 10 Home and Avast Free.  There is a built in firewall for Windows 10 but that's not the issue since Thunderbird connects to update servers just fine with it.

Yes, happening on all systems with the common factor being Avast.  Unfortunately it is very difficult for me to rule out different shields as I'd have to wait for updates every time to test each one.  I'm almost certain Avast is the culprit and it must be specific to a certain config or something.

Is there any way to directly report this to Avast so they can check it?

[DavidR]

If this was truly a problem for avast and thunderbird users I would have expected to see more topics in the forums.

I'm at a loss as to what to suggest.

Other than what I have already suggested:

Disabling Avast doesn't pin down the cause, try disabling a shield at a time, start with the web shield.  However, you would need to first check that there is an update on the thunderbird website.

I say the web shield because you are connecting to the internet to be able to do this check and or download.

[alanb]

FWIW, if you have indeed updated to 91.11 you will not be able to test check for updates.

TB 102 is not offered as an automatic update at this time.

[Shaun985]

Yes, that's the problem.  I can't keep checking which shield it is unless I somehow manually roll back the versions every time.

However, I tried something and think I have it narrowed down to Web Shield.
When Avast is on and I click "check for updates", I get a quick progress blip that says "Checking" before it tells me everything is up to date (even though it isn't).

If I disable Web Shield, then the "Checking" part actually takes several seconds and actually connects to the update server.

[DavidR]

That's the problem as the Web Shield doesn't block as such, it should alert.

But if you recall what alanb said:
"FWIW, if you have indeed updated to 91.11 you will not be able to test check for updates."
So that makes it even stranger.

[DavidR]

Just a thought have you checked the Web Shield log file in C:\ProgramData\AVAST Software\Avast\report  ?

Note because of the Avast Self Defence module, you can only open it with notepad.