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You are here: Home / Software / How To Fix ‘Avast Won’t Update Virus Definitions’ Issue?

How To Fix ‘Avast Won’t Update Virus Definitions’ Issue?

Updated: August 28, 2021 by Anubhab Chakraborty 8 Comments

Avast is one of the most popular free antivirus software worldwide. It offers maximum protection against virus, malware, and spyware. It also has some other popular features like web protection etc., but sometimes it can be annoying if the virus definitions don’t update automatically. Rather it shows an error depending on how the error occurs.

Why You May Be Seeing This Error?

Table of Contents

    • Why You May Be Seeing This Error?
  • Fix ‘Avast Won’t Update Virus Definitions’ Issue
    • # Solution 1 (Update And Repair)
    • # Solution 2 (Reinstall Avast)
    • # Solution 3 (Customer Support)
    • Free vs Paid Antivirus Software: Which is Better?
    • Wrapping Up

Before solving an issue, it is imperative that you know what is causing the error, so that you can prevent getting that error again. Here is why you may be getting the error ‘‘Avast won’t Update Virus Definitions’’

We have shown a VIDEO walk through at the end of the post for easy solution.

The major reason for Avast not updating the virus definitions is incompatibility issues. Your Avast version may not be compatible with the Windows version installed on your system. This can pose a problem if you don’t regularly update your Windows and other software.

You can also face this error if you have Avast installed incorrectly. This can occur if an update failed or was canceled during installation.

Fix ‘Avast Won’t Update Virus Definitions’ Issue

Depending on why the error is being displayed, this issue is very easy to solve. You can follow this guide in the order of precedence written.

# Solution 1 (Update And Repair)

The easiest solution is to solve the incompatibility issues that may be causing the error.

Check for any pending Windows updates and install them.

Update your Avast client software. Outdated software can also increase the CPU load.

To update the software and definitions:

  1. Open the Avast GUI from the notification tray icon.
  2. Under the Update tab, you will find the current versions of the antivirus program and the virus definitions as well.

check_avast_for_updates

3. Check if there are any pending updates and click the Update

If there are no updates available, you need to repair your Avast installation files. To do so, follow these steps

i. Open Control Panel. Select Programs and features.

(Alternatively, press Win + X to open the WinX menu and look for Apps and features at the top)

ii. In the list of installed applications, locate Avast, and click on Uninstall/change.
iii. Click on Change.

repair_avast_change

iv. Select Repair.
v. Wait till Avast repairs the client software by making the necessary changes to the data files.

repair_avast_changing_the_product

vi. Restart your PC and check if the error persists.

# Solution 2 (Reinstall Avast)

If updating and repairing do not solve your issue, you need to reinstall the Avast client software.

However, a normal uninstall from Windows Add or Remove won’t solve your issue. You need a power uninstaller like IObit uninstaller (Uninstaller) that can remove the registry and residual files as well.

iobit_uninstall_avast

(Also read: Check out other powerful uninstallers and batch installers )

Alternatively, you can also do a clean uninstall by booting into safe mode and uninstalling from there.

First, download the Avast Uninstall Utility from their website. Save the file on the desktop.

To boot into safe mode, here are the steps:

  • Open the Run dialogue by pressing Win + R and type msconfig. Press Enter.
  • Under the Boot tab, you will find the Safe boot under the Boot options
  • Check the box next to Safe boot.
  • Click Apply and then click OK.
  • Restart your PC to boot into Safe mode automatically.

Note: If you follow this method, you need to uncheck this box to boot into Normal mode.

(Also read: How to enable F8 in Windows 10 .)

  • Once in safe mode, run avastclear.exe that you downloaded on your desktop earlier. This will clear all the residual files as well.
  • Boot in normal mode next and download and install the latest version of Avast from their website.
  • The clean install must remove all the corrupted files and solve the ‘Avast won’t Update Virus Definitions’ issue.

# Solution 3 (Customer Support)

If performing a clean install also does not solve your issue, there must lie a deep-seated problem. You need to personally contact the Avast customer care and ask them to provide solutions.

avast_consumer_support

Visit the site https://support.avast.com/en-in to contact the customer support.

Free vs Paid Antivirus Software: Which is Better?

If you’re just looking for basic anti-malware protection, Avast Free Antivirus is a really solid option.

However, if you’re looking for advanced anti-malware security and a slew of additional security-enhancing features and utilities, such as a file shredder, a VPN, and parental controls, premium antivirus software is the way to go. There are a lot of excellent premium antivirus options out there, like McAfee, Bitdefender, Norton, and Kaspersky.

Here is a detailed comparison between Bitdefender and Kaspersky — two top contenders for the best antivirus software in 2020. Here is another video review of the best antivirus antivirus that you’ll find really useful.

Wrapping Up

Avast customer portal is very responsive to their customers, and they can provide the best solutions to your problems regarding Avast products. If the virus definitions are not updating on your system, now you know how to solve the  ‘Avast won’t Update Virus Definitions’ error using the guide above.

Follow the solutions in the order given, and your Avast software should work normally again. Do tell us in the comments how your problem was solved.

Filed Under: Software Tagged With: Avast Virus Definitions

About Anubhab Chakraborty

A blogger, tech enthusiast and a MBA student from Kolkata. A friendly person always in a mood for networking. Ping me up anytime or just throw an email.

Comments

  1. vic ovendale says

    January 4, 2020 at 5:51 pm

    Apart from my virus definitions intermittently not updating I find I am banned from the Avast forum, which is odd as I have never posted a comment there. In addition when I click on menu I’m told I’m offline. Repairing Avast doesn’t help and the last time I reinstalled it I lost all my passwords. I am up to date with everything else and I have not installed anything for over a month. The problem began 5 days ago and my last Windows updates where 2 weeks ago so it’s not that. I have run scans with avast, mbam and hitman pro and am clean. Every one of the numbers I could find for Avast gives an out of order signal. I have been using Avast for over a decade but in the last 2 years seem to be incurring problems unusually frequently and as stated cannot use the forum as I have been inexplicably banned. If attention is not given to the issue I will be forced to use another AV. Please respond.

    Reply
  2. Joe says

    January 23, 2020 at 11:53 pm

    SOLVED – I have had the same issue. I was not getting updates since my Upgrade from premier to Premium.

    This is how I finally fixed it:
    Go to settings
    Go to updates
    Go to more options under the APPLICATION UPDATE
    Then UNCHECK the PROXY SERVER BOX.

    IT worked for me..

    Even avast senior support tried but did not think of that
    Good luck

    Reply
    • Lennart says

      March 22, 2020 at 5:52 am

      Tnx
      Works like a charm.

      Reply
    • SATEESH BATAS says

      November 29, 2020 at 8:19 pm

      Joe – amazing!! After MONTHS of reinstalling, and getting the same error – unchecking PROXY worked immediately – you are a GOD!!

      Reply
  3. Reviewer says

    May 4, 2020 at 1:40 pm

    Solution #2 using the Avast Utility Installer worked perfectly.

    Following alternate advice over the past month was fruitless.

    Reply
  4. Leticia says

    June 12, 2020 at 10:12 pm

    Thanks, Anubhab! Updating Windows fixed it.

    Reply
  5. PRE PCSOLUTION says

    September 7, 2021 at 11:07 am

    Thanks a lot for this blog, actually I was also stuck while updaing Avast Antivirus, but after reading and following the path that you have suggested have helped me a lot. Thank a lot to the author. Keep on writing the informative blogs like this. We are waiting for your blog a head.

    Reply
  6. Ronan says

    September 29, 2022 at 12:27 pm

    Thanks for sharing these tricks.

    Reply

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