In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of repairing Avast Antivirus on Windows 10, including step-by-step instructions for using the built-in repair function and troubleshooting common problems. We’ll also cover alternative solutions, such as updating Avast and adjusting shield settings, to help you get your antivirus software back in working order.
Preparing for the Repair Process
Before you begin repairing Avast, it’s important to ensure that no other applications are running on your PC. Close any open programs and follow these steps:
Right-click the Windows Start icon and select Apps and Features from the menu that appears.
Beside Avast Free Antivirus, Avast Premium Security, or Avast One, click the ⋮ Options (three dots) and select Uninstall twice.
If prompted for permission by the User Account Control dialog, click Yes.
When the Avast Setup window appears, click Repair.
Select Yes to confirm that you have intentionally requested to repair the application.
Wait while setup repairs your Avast application.
If prompted, click Restart computer to immediately reboot your PC and complete the repair. If a restart is not necessary, click Done.
Using the Avast Uninstall Tool
If you experience issues trying to uninstall Avast via the Start menu, you can use the Avast Uninstall Tool to completely delete all Avast files from your PC while Windows runs in Safe Mode. This tool is particularly useful if you encounter the “setup is already running” message when attempting to uninstall.
Here’s how to use the Avast Uninstall Tool:
Download the Avast Uninstall Tool from the official Avast website.
Save the file to your desktop and run it.
Follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall Avast in Safe Mode.
Once the uninstallation is complete, restart your PC in normal mode.
Reinstall Avast Antivirus from the official website.
Troubleshooting Without Uninstalling
Before resorting to a full uninstall and reinstall, try these troubleshooting steps to resolve issues with Avast:
Update: Ensure that Avast is up-to-date by checking for and installing any available updates. Regularly releasing updates that include new features and bug fixes can help resolve problems you may be experiencing.
Repair: If some features are not behaving correctly or a scan gets stuck while in progress, try repairing Avast rather than uninstalling the application. Repairing Avast is also recommended if an application update fails.
Disable: Avast’s protection features may sometimes block a website you want to access or incorrectly mark a file as malicious. Adjust shield settings and scan behavior to stop these situations from occurring, or temporarily disable Firewall or Avast.
Uninstalling Avast Premium Security
If repairing Avast doesn’t resolve the issue, you may need to uninstall and reinstall the program. Here’s how to uninstall Avast Premium Security from Windows 10:
Right-click the Windows Start icon, then select Apps and Features from the menu that appears.
Ensure that Apps & features is selected in the left panel, then click Avast Premium Security and select Uninstall twice.
If prompted for permission by the User Account Control dialog, click Yes.
When the Avast Premium Security Setup window appears, click Uninstall.
Optionally, complete the customer survey, or select Skip and uninstall.
Select Yes to confirm that you want to uninstall Avast Premium Security.
Wait while setup uninstalls Avast Premium Security from your PC.
When the confirmation message appears, click Restart computer to immediately reboot your PC and complete uninstallation.
Reinstalling Avast Premium Security
After uninstalling Avast, you can reinstall the program by following these steps:
Download the latest version of Avast Premium Security from the official website.
Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
Once the installation is finished, Avast Premium Security will be fully reinstalled on your PC, and you can start using it again.