Avast is one of the most commonly used antivirus software available on the internet. It is known for the best protection service for all devices connected to the internet. Since it is free-to-use software, many people rely on this software for antivirus protection. Yet, like all apps and games, Avast is not without errors and problems. Many users report Avast not updating virus definitions issue which causes a major security breach on your PC. If you are also facing the same problem on your device, the troubleshooting methods discussed in this guide will help you fix the issue.

How to Fix Avast Not Updating Virus Definitions

Here are a few common reasons that cause Avast antivirus not updating virus definitions issues on your computer. Analyze them deeper so you will get an idea of how to resolve the same.

• Any temporary glitches in your PC that are preventing Avast from updating the software and its components.
• You are running Avast with administrative rights. This prevents a few features from being accessed on your computer.
• Outdated Avast will cause the discussed problem.
• Few essential services like the aswbIDSAgent are disabled on your computer.
• The Avast installed on your PC is corrupt or misconfigured.
• Your PC is infected with malware or virus.
• Some background tasks are interfering with your program.
• Outdated Windows operating system.
• Firewall is preventing Avast to open.
• Corrupt or incompatible installation files of Avast.
• Inappropriate date and time settings on your computer.

Now, move ahead to the next section to find the effective troubleshooting methods to fix Avast virus definitions won’t update issue.

Here are some effective troubleshooting methods that will help you fix Avast not updating virus definitions issue on your Windows 10 computer. Read them carefully before you implement them.

Method 1: Restart PC

Before trying all the listed advanced troubleshooting methods, you are advised to reboot your computer. When you restart your computer, the technical glitches that cause any challenging layouts will be resolved thereby helping you to fix Avast not updating virus definitions issue. You can also shut down the PC using the Power options and turn it on again after some time.

1. Navigate to Start menu.

2. Now, select power icon at the bottom left corner of the screen.

3. Several options like Sleep, Shut down, and Restart will be displayed. Here, click on Restart.

Once you have restarted your computer, check if you can open Avast without any issues.

Method 2: Run Avast with Admin Privilege

You need administrative privileges to access a few features and services in Avast. If you do not have the required administrative rights, you might face Avast antivirus not updating virus definitions issue. However, few users have suggested that the problem can be resolved when running the program as an administrator.

1. Right-click on Avast Antivirus icon on the Desktop.

2. Now, click on Properties.

3. In the Properties window, switch to the Compatibility tab.

4. Here, check the box Run this program as an administrator.

5. Finally, click on Apply > OK to save the changes.

Now, relaunch the program to see if Avast functions now without any problems.

Also Read: Fix Virus Definition Failed in Avast Antivirus

Method 3: Change Date and Time Settings

Incorrect date and time settings in your computer may contribute to Avast not updating virus definitions issue on Windows PC. To sync the date, region, and time settings in your Windows 10 computer follow the below-listed instructions.

1. Press the Windows + I keys together to open Windows Settings.

2. Now, select Time & Language setting.

3. Next, in Date & time tab, ensure the two values Set the time automatically and Set the time zone automatically options are toggled on.

4. Then, click on Sync now as highlighted above. Check if the Virus Definitions Update Failed issue is resolved or not.

Method 4: Update Avast Antivirus

If there are any bugs within Avast, you can fix them by updating the app. As mentioned earlier, Avast gets regular updates to fix all the errors and bugs. When these bugs and errors come to the developer’s eye, they release updates to fix them completely. Follow the below-mentioned steps to update Avast app to fix Avast antivirus not updating virus definitions issue.

1. Hit the Windows key and type Avast Free Antivirus. Click on Open from the search result.

2. Go to Menu icon from the top right corner of the Avast user interface.

3. Then, select Settings from the list.

4. Now, switch to Update tab and click on Check for Update button. Make sure you get the following messages.

• Virus definitions are up to date
• Avast Free Antivirus is up to date

5. Once you have updated it, restart Avast and check if the issue has been solved.

Also Read: How to Fix Avast Update Stuck on Windows 10

Method 5: Close Background Processes

If you are still worried about Avast not updating virus definitions issue, it can be resolved by closing all the background tasks running on your PC. Several background tasks on your PC will interfere with Avast, thereby preventing the app from being opened. Hence, close all the background tasks on your PC by following our guide How to End Task in Windows 10, and proceed as instructed.

Once you have closed all the background processes, check if you were able to work with Avast on your computer without any issues.

Method 6: Enable aswbIDSAgent Service Settings

Several users have reported that the bug causing Avast virus definitions won’t update issue can be fixed by making some changes in the aswbIDSAgent Service. This method is very easy and you can implement the same by following the below-mentioned steps.

1. Press the Windows key, type Services, and click on Run as administrator.

2. Now, scroll down and double-click on aswbIDSAgent service.

3. Now, in the new pop-up window, change Startup type to Automatic, as depicted.

Note: If the Service status is Stopped, then click on the Start button. If the Service status is Running, click on Stop and Start it again.

4. When you start the service, you may face a 1079 error (or something similar to that). In this case, switch to the Log On tab, click on the This account radio button and select the Browse option.

5. In the Enter the object name to select field, type the username of your account.

6. Then, click on Check Names option to authenticate the object name.

7. Now, click on OK to save the changes and if you are prompted, type in your administrator account.

8. Click on Apply > OK to save the changes and check if you were able to open Avast without any issues.

Also Read: How to Remove Avast from Windows 10

Method 7: Run Virus Scan

There are few circumstances where a virus or malware in your computer is taking over the control of Avast. Hence, you must check whether the third-party harmful viruses are interfering with Avast, causing Avast not updating virus definitions issue.

Several Microsoft experts suggest that scanning a PC will help you maintain your computer threat free. If there are any viruses or malware intrusions on your PC, you cannot use external and internal hardware devices.

Hence, you are advised to scan your computer as instructed in our guide How do I Run a Virus Scan on my Computer?

Also, if you want to remove malware from your computer, check our guide How to Remove Malware from your PC in Windows 10.

Method 8: Update Windows

Also, if there are any bugs in your PC, they can only be fixed after a Windows update. Microsoft releases regular updates to fix all these bugs thereby troubleshooting Avast not updating virus definitions issues.

Hence, ensure if you have updated your Windows Operating System and if any updates are pending in action, use our guide How to Download and Install Windows 10 Latest Update

After updating your Windows Operating System, check whether you can access your Avast without any issues.

Method 9: Modify Windows Defender Firewall Settings

Still, if you cannot fix Avast not updating virus definitions issue, this may be due to an over-reactive or over-protective firewall suite in your Windows 10 computer. This prevents the connection link between the app launcher and the server. So, to fix this problem, you can whitelist Avast in your Firewall settings or disable the problem temporarily.

Option I: Whitelist Avast Antivirus

To allow Avast in your Windows Defender Firewall, follow our guide Allow or Block Apps through the Windows Firewall and implement the steps as instructed.

Option II: Disable Firewall (Not Recommended)

You can also disable Windows Defender Firewall, and to do so, check our guide on How to Disable Windows 10 Firewall and follow as instructed.

Option III: Create New Rule in Firewall

1. Go to Search menu and type Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security. Then, click on Run as administrator.

2. Now, in the left pane, click on Inbound Rules as depicted.

3. Then, in the right pane, click on New rule… as shown.

4. Now, make sure you select the Program option under What type of rule would you like to create? menu and click on Next> as shown.

5. Then, click on the Browse… button corresponding to This program path: as shown.

6. Then, navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Avast path and double-click on setup file. Then, click on Open button.

Note: This location may vary according to the directory from which you have installed Avast. Browser the location accordingly.

7. Then, click on Next > in the New Inbound Rule Wizard window as shown.

8. Now, select the radio button next to Allow the connection and click on Next > as depicted.

9. Make sure Domain, Private, and Public boxes are selected and click on Next > as shown.

10. Finally, add a name to your new rule and click on Finish.

All done! Check if you can open Avast without any issues or not.

Method 10: Repair Avast Antivirus

If the above-listed solutions do not help you fix Avast antivirus not updating virus definitions issue, you can try repairing the app to fix all the harmful bugs within the app. This also fixes the corrupt installation files and even if this method fails to work, you can reinstall the app as instructed in the next method.

Option 1: Through Avast Antivirus Settings

1. Launch Avast Antivirus and navigate to Menu > Settings as you did earlier.

2. Next, switch to Troubleshooting tab.

3. Here, click on Repair App in the right pane. Wait until the repairing process is complete. This might take a while.

Note: Avoid closing any windows or tabs during the repair process.

4. Once the repair is complete, reboot your PC. Check if the Avast virus definitions won’t update issue is fixed or not.

Option 2: Through Add or Remove Programs

1. Type Add or remove programs in the Windows search box. Launch it from the search result, as shown.

2. In Search this list bar, type Avast.

3. Then, click on Avast and then, Modify.

Note: The below image is depicted for reference. Follow the same for Avast.

4. Click on Repair in the Avast pop-up window and follow the on-screen instructions.

Wait for it to be repaired. Restart your Windows 10 PC and check if the issue is resolved or not.

Also Read: Fix SearchUI.exe Suspended Error on Windows 10

Method 11: Reset Avast Settings

You can reset Avast settings on your Windows 10 PC to fix Avast not updating virus definitions issue. This will resolve all the incorrect configuration settings without the app, helping you to resolve the problem at ease.

Note: Resetting Avast will reset all the options and features of the app to their default values. You have to re-configure these options again once you open the app after the reset.

1. Launch Avast and click on Menu option at the top right corner of the screen.

2. Now, select Settings from the drop-down list.

3. Then, navigate to General tab and then select click on Troubleshooting option.

4. Then, select Reset to Default button.

5. If you are prompted, click on Yes and proceed with the on-screen instructions. Check if you have fixed Avast antivirus not updating virus definitions issue or not.

Method 12: Reinstall Avast in Safe Mode

If repairing Avast, still does not solve Avast virus definitions won’t update issue, you may have to reinstall the app in safe mode to fix the same. When you clean install Avast, the faulty application along with cache files, and corrupt registries will be fixed.

Visit Avast official uninstaller site, and then, click on avastclear.exe to get the Avast Uninstall Utility, as shown below.

Now you have to boot Windows in Safe Mode by following steps:

1. Type Windows system configuration in the Windows search bar. Then, click on System Configuration to launch it.

2. Switch to the Boot tab in the window that opens.

3. Next, select Safe boot under Boot options and then, click on OK, as shown below.

4. Restart the computer and the computer will boot into Safe Mode.

5. Once Windows 10 is open in Safe Mode, click on downloaded Avast Uninstall Utility you previously downloaded.

6. In the uninstall utility window, ensure that the correct folder containing the corrupt Avast program is selected.

7. Now, click on Uninstall.

8. After Avast has been uninstalled, Restart Windows in Normal Mode.

9. Visit this official Avast link and then click on DOWNLOAD FREE PROTECTION to download the latest Avast Antivirus application, as shown below.

10. Once the file is downloaded, do to My downloads, double-click on the Setup file, and follow the on-screen instructions to install Avast.

Now when you launch the Avast program, you will not face Virus Definitions won’t update issue again.

Also Read: How to Uninstall McAfee LiveSafe in Windows 10

Method 13: Contact Avast Support

If there are any major issues with Avast even after reinstalling the software, you can seek help from the Avast support site. This is a worth trying option to get rid of Avast not updating virus definitions issue. Follow the below-mentioned steps to contact the Avast support site.

1. Launch your favorite browser and visit the official Avast help center.

2. Now, scroll down the screen and click on Contact Us button.

3. Then, report your issue by following the on-screen instructions, and now, you could connect to an Avast professional to fix Avast antivirus not updating virus definitions problem.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Why does my Avast not updating virus definitions?

Ans. If there are any incompatibility issues in your PC, your Avast will not update new settings. If your Avast does not update this feature for you, make sure you check your firewall settings or repair the software if necessary.

Q2. Does Avast cause problems with Windows 10?

Ans. In some circumstances, Avast might interfere with the pre-installed apps of your PC and causes Windows 10 to crash, freeze, consume more resources, display Blue Screen Error (BSOD), and a lot more. This might occur due to some incompatible programs you run manually or a few automatic services running in the background when you boot your Windows.

Q3. Why is my Avast browser not opening?

Ans. If the Avast browser does not open on your Windows 10 PC, it may be because it is outdated or not updated properly. Few corrupt files within the app also cause the problem. Browser cache, cookies, and corrupt data also prevent Avast from being opened in the browser.

Q4. Is Windows Defender better than Avast?

Ans. To be more precise, Avast is better than Windows Defender Firewall. Few reports say that the detection rate for Windows Defender Firewall was 99.5 % while Avast detected 100% of malware and viruses. Avast also comes with advanced features that are not in Windows Defender Firewall.

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We hope that this guide was helpful and you could fix Avast not updating virus definitions issue in your system. Let us know which method worked for you the best. Also, if you have any queries/suggestions regarding this article, then feel free to drop them in the comments section.