Disclaimer: All of the information that has been offered in this blog is for the sole purpose of educating the audience about the issues of Avast and how to fix them. We do not, in any way, associate with Avast and only wish to educate our audience about how they can tackle the Avast issues.
“Cybersecurity for everyone.” If this tagline sounds familiar to you, chances are that you have been using or have used the antivirus services of Avast at some point in time. Avast is by far one of the most popular antivirus services on the globe.
What makes it impressive for users is that it is compatible with every operating system. The antivirus has been designed to ensure safety from a wide number of threats. But even though Avast offers a lot, the antivirus software isn’t exactly flawless.
Recently, users have surfaced on the internet with queries like “Why is Avast not opening on Windows 10 or why does Avast firewall won’t start?”. In case you are a part of the same tribe and want to know how one can fix the issues of Avast, get in line and give this blog a quick read to know about the same.
But before we proceed further, what exactly causes these Avast issues?
Probable Reasons Why Avast Won’t Open
When the Avast service is not running smoothly
In case there are problems with the main server, it can be fixed with a simple restart. After the restart, you can check to see if the error is fixed or not.
When the Installation Process for Avast was Broken
The installation process for Avast may be corrupted due to a number of reasons, but it can be solved easily either by repairing or by performing a clean install.
Now that you know about the possible reasons, let us take a look at how one can fix the Avast software when it is not opening on Windows 10 with the help of the 6 simple methods that are mentioned below;
Effective Troubleshooting Methods to Fix Avast Not Working Issue (Windows 10 Edition)
The Avast issue may become the source of agony and inconvenience for many users, which is why we have compiled a list of the best possible solutions that can come in handy in fixing this issue without breaking a sweat.
Method-1: Via Performing a Clean Boot
A boot can help users in identifying all of the possible issues that may be the cause of the error. It happens since the system only uses essential files and folders to run when it is on safe mode or when you perform a clean boot.
Follow the steps in the correct order to know how to perform a boot on your operating system;
Begin by pressing the Windows+I keys simultaneously to access the Windows Run dialog box. In the same box, type “MSConfig” and hit “ok” to access the “system configuration” window.
In the system configuration window, click on the “services tab” and tick the option that says “Hide all Microsoft devices“.
For the next step, select the “disable all” option.
After doing so, move to the “startup tab” and choose the “open task manager” option. In the same, click on the close button in case no processes are running.
Move to the tasks tab now and right-click on the same to hit the “disable” button.
Finish by clicking on “ok” from the system configuration window and then restart your operating system.
If the issue still lingers, move on to the next solution.
Method-2: By Updating the Operating System and Avast
One of the most common causes of the Avast not working problem is associated with the fact that most of the users do not update their operating system or their Avast application.
One can simply execute the following steps to get through with the update process;
Begin by locating the application of Avast on your device and right-click on the same to choose the option of “update” from the program tab.
From there, you will need to click on the “check for updates” and if there are any pending updates available, you will need to wait until the program checks for updates and installs the required files for the update.
In the next window, as soon as the update process is complete, a message will pop up on your screen stating that your application for Avast has been updated.
Finish the process by restarting the application and you are good to go.
If there is a need to update the operating system, here are the steps on how you can do the same;
Start the proceedings by opening the settings window on your screen by clicking on the Windows+I keys together. From there, you will need to click on the “update and security” option from the settings window to proceed further.
In the next window, you will simply need to select the “windows update” option that is available on the left side of your screen.
For the next step, select the option that says “check for updates” and in case there are any updates available, the operating system will download the update automatically.
Once you have followed the steps in the correct order, try to check if the error with Avast still exists.
If the application of Avast is not working even after the update, take a look at the method mentioned below.
Method-3: Via Checking the Installation of Avast
There might be a possibility that the installation for the Avast application wasn’t done properly in case you are unable to detect the application in the “programs and features” window.
Here are the steps on how you can ensure whether the application was properly installed or not.
Right-click on the windows icon on your screen and access the “programs and features” option from the list of options that appear on your screen, to begin with.
From the same menu, you will need to check whether or not the Avast option pops up. If it is not to be found, it means that the application wasn’t properly installed on your device and you may have to download and install the application again.
If that is not the case and the application is visible, yet the error is still causing problems for you, check out the next solution.
Method-4: By Restarting the Antivirus Service of Avast
It is quite possible that some error that is related to Avast antivirus may be the reason why Avast is not working with your Windows 10 operating system. Restarting your system may help you in fixing the issues with the Avast antivirus service and you can do the same easily with the help of the steps that are mentioned below;
Access the Windows run dialog box by pressing the “Windows+R” keys, to begin with.
In the same dialog box, you will need to type “services.MSC” and click on “ok” to access the services tool.
In the next window when the control panel opens up, switch the view by the option to large icons with the use of the option that is available at the top right corner of your screen.
After that, you will need to move forward by scrolling down the options until you find the “administrative tools” option. Click on the same once you find it.
For the next step, you will need to find the option that says, “services shortcut” which is at the bottom of your screen. Hit the same button to access it as well.
Now, you will need to find the “Avast antivirus service” from the services list and right-click on the same to select the “properties” option from the menu that appears on your screen.
In case the Avast process has started, you can stop it by clicking on the “stop” button available in the middle of the window. If it is stopped, you need to leave it as it is until you begin again.
Now, before you start again, you will need to make sure that the option just under the startup type menu, the mode is set to automatic in the service’s properties window.
Continue with the process by clicking on the “confirm” button from the dialogue boxes that pop up on your screen when you are trying to change the start-up type. Once you are done, hit the “ok” and “apply” buttons.
Next, simply hit the start button before you exit the window. As you are done with this, you may encounter the following message;
In case something like this happens, follow the steps given below;
Start by opening the service’s properties window and access the log-on tab from there.
From there, you will need to select the “this account” radio button and choose the “browse” button.
In the next window, you will need to enter your “account name” under the field that says, “enter the object name to select”.
Next, you will need to select the “check names” option and wait until the name is available.
Complete the process by clicking on the “ok” button and typing your “password” in the given password field.
This may fix the error and the Avast application may restart without any further issues.
Method-5: By Installing the Application Correctly
Installing any application in the correct manner is the best way to ensure that you do not face any sort of problems.
Performing a clean install helps you in a more improved manner when compared to regular updates as it simply deletes the cache files and removes all the related registry entries that might have become corrupt or damaged which can further lead to the kind of issues that you are experiencing.
Here is how you can perform a clean install without much fuss;
Open your web browser and enter this link, to download the latest version of Avast installation, to begin with.
From the Avast web page, you will need to click on the “download free antivirus” button that is available in the middle of the page.
In the same window, you will need to download the “Avast uninstall utility” with the same link and save the same on your computer.
Now, as soon as all of the files have been downloaded, simply disconnect your device from the internet and click on the “boot mode“.
To do the same, make use of the Windows+R keys and type “MSConfig” inside the run dialog box of Windows by hitting the “ok” button.
This will open up the system configuration and inside the same, locate the “boot tab”.
Next, tick the box for the option adjacent to the “safe boot” option and click on “ok” to restartthe system in safe mode.
Simply run the utility for Avast uninstall and browse the location where you installed the application of Avast. You can do that by simply navigating through the “file browser” to search for the correct folder.
After this, hit the “uninstall/remove” button and go through a quick restart by booting it via the normal startup to check if you are able to normally access Avast or not.
Method-6: By Repairing the Application of Avast
This is by far the most suitable solution for users when they are encountering problems with Avast on their windows operating system.
To repair the application of Avast on your device, simply follow the steps that are given below correctly;
Start by accessing your computer with the use of an “administrator account” since a user cannot delete programs from their system with the use of any other account.
As soon as you have logged in, click on the “Windows start menu” and type “control panel app” to search for the same to proceed further.
In the control panel window, you will first need to change the “view by” option to “category”, which is available at the top right corner of your screen.
Now, just under the “programs” tab, you will need to choose the option that says “uninstall a program”.
For the next step, you will need to locate the “Avast” program and once you have found the same option, hit the “uninstall/repair” button.
Now, inside the uninstall wizard on your operating system, several options will pop up on the screen;
Uninstall
Update
Modify
Repair
From all the options that are available, click on the “repair” button and hit next to fix the application of Avast.
The system will be notified when the application is fixed with a pop-up message. After you have confirmed the pop-up, the Avast application will be restored to default settings, the way that it used to work before the error occurred.
To end the proceedings, click on the “finish” button and restart your operating system to see if this method fixes the Avast issue for you or not.
Let us now go through some of the additional solutions that may be helpful to the users;
Additional Solutions to Fix Avast Issues
Users should keep in mind that some other issues may also occur apart from the ones that we have mentioned above. You may experience similar issues with Avast sooner or later. This is why the next section of the blog is dedicated to the additional issues that one may encounter.
Here are the issues that can be the reason behind the infamous “Avast won’t open”.
Action Center Unable to Recognize Avast in Windows 10
For the general audience, the “WMI Repository” stores meta-information for WMI classes. If for some reason, the WMI is mistreated, chances are that you may face an error.
This is why errors like Avast not working and Avast being unable to recognize Windows occurs. One can simply verify the WMI repository to resolve this problem.
Via the Verification of the WMI repository
Begin by opening the run dialog box and type “cmd” to click the “ok” button for the same.
After doing the same, the “command prompt” window will pop up on your screen and in the same, you will need to type the following command, “winmgmt/verifyrepository” and hit the “enter” button once you are done.
Now, in case the repository is looking consistent, enter this command, “winmgmt/resetrepository” and hit enter again. In case it looks inconsistent, type this command, “winmgmt/salvagerepository” instead of the one mentioned above.
Once you have built the repository successfully again, you can check if Windows is able to recognize Avast now or not.
Black Screen Issue in Windows 10
After the initial installation, many users have complained that the Avast software causes the “black screen issue” for their Windows 10 operating system. Although it is not something serious, in case you have experienced it, here is how you can fix it.
With the Addition of Exception in Avast
Open the software of Avast, to begin with.
From there, click on the “menu” option and select the “settings” option from the right pane to proceed further.
In the next window, simply move to the “general” tab and select the “exceptions” option to click on the “add exception” button.
For the next step, enter this path in the field, “C:\Windows\Explorer.exe” and once you have done so, click on the “add exception” button.
Now, click on the “add exception” button again and enter the given path, “C:\Windows\ImmersiveControlPanel\SystemSettings.exe”.
Once you have added the same in the exception, click on the “Add exception” and restart your computer to see if the black screen issue gets resolved.
Now that we know all about how one can fix when Avast is not working with Windows 10, let us take a look at some of the most commonly asked questions on the internet about Avast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Avast a suitable antivirus for personal use?
Yes, Avast has been in the market for quite a while and has made a name for itself as reliable antivirus software. If not this, there are plenty of other antivirus software that are available on the internet that can be used to protect personal data and information.
Can we fix if Avast is not working properly?
A user can disable the application, to begin with, or they can simply follow the methods that have been mentioned in the guide above.
What can we do to uninstall Avast antivirus?
One can simply locate the control panel of their operating system and click on the application of Avast to proceed further with the uninstallation process.
Conclusion
Antivirus software comes off as the first line of defense for operating systems, but at times, can also cause a lot of inconveniences. Avast is one of the most popular names in the antivirus market and is a trusted firm, but that doesn’t mean that it is flawless with its services.
The problems of Avast can be fixed with the use of the methods that have been mentioned in the blog above.
In case you have any suggestions or queries regarding the blog, feel free to drop them in the comments section below.
