I have been using Avast Free for years maybe even a decade, and Outlook for decades. I started using Nord VPN 2 years ago. It was smooth sailing till Nord updated to 7.35.1.0 on 2/28/2025 for my PC. Outlook had updated on 2/15 ish and Avast was not updated since Sep, 2024 ish. Nord points to Outlook and Avast, My mail provider points to Nord, and I now reaching out to you all for Avast.
The error code from Outlook is:
“Task #####@####.com( I redacted my email address) - Receiving’ reported error (0x80042108) : 'Outlook cannot connect to your incoming (POP3) email server. If you continue to receive this message, contact your server administrator or Internet service provider (ISP).”
I have done all the typical things rebooted, uninstalled and reinstalled Nord and Avast updated Outlook. I have changed Nord servers, tried split tunneling, tried Obfuscated servers, nothing made any difference.
If Nord is paused emails up and down load fine.
If Avast email checking is set to not check incoming or outgoing emails BUT is otherwise enabled, emails up and down load fine.
to me everything points to Nord’s 7.35.1.0 update as the cause of the issue.
Nord sent me a link to downgrade my Nord from 7.35.1.0 to 7.34.4.0 and I reset Avast to scan incoming and outgoing emails and all is right with the world again.
They pointed the finger at MS this time. I pointed it right back at them noting that no updates were done on my machine for a week prior to their update to 7.35.1.0 when things stopped working.
I have the same problem, using EmClient. Nord did send me a link to reinstall, to 7.36.1.0 (step forward not back). Anyway it didn’t work. I fand that turning off Nord, or turning off incoming email checking in Avast fixes the issue. Avast support have told me 'Developers are working on it" , but dont expect a quick fix! Anyway I will ask about the previous version thing!
Yep, I have been around and around and around with NORD, something that they changed in the 7.35.0.1 update broke things.
It is not Avast’s issue its Nord’s
Everything worked as it had for 2 years, no updates were done to Avast, Outlook, or Windows for 1 week before the Nord 7.35.1.0 update then it broke. All updates to the other programs did not solve the issue. ONLY reverting back to an older Nord Version fixed the issue.
I reverted to the 7.34.4.0 and everything works fine as it had in the past.
The problem I had was Nord kept trying to update to the 7.35.1.0.
I so far have been able to stop the updates.
I uninstalled the 7.35.1.0 update Installed the 7.34.4.0 Update BUT DOD NOT OPEN THE POGRAM.
Go to task manager and then services and locating NordUpdateService, and stopped it.
Go to “Services” by right clicking on the NordUpdateService name, and selecting “Open Services”
4.Locate “Nordsec Update Service”, right click on its name and choose “Properties”
5.Change “Startup Type” to “Disabled” and hit apply
Then go to the NordUpdater folder (on my system its at c:\Program Files\NordUpdater)
Make a new folder called “Original NordUpdater”
Move the file “NordUpdateService.exe” into it
Rename the file “Original NordUpdateService.exe”
Lastly when you start Nord 7.34.4.0 DO NOT ALLOW “Background Processes” or what ever its called to be enabled. There is a check box down at the bottom of the window that opens when you launch the program
I don’t recall if I rebooted since the last reinstall of 7.34.4.0 but I think I have and had to start Nord manually (WATCH FOR THE BACKGROUND PROCESS check box that is checked by default)
Hi dana2.
Yes cheers for that, I have now received a link to 7.34.4.0 version, and a list of steps to stop updates similar to the one you posted. No mention of stopping background process though. They just suggest hiding NordUpdateService.exe in a folder. And don’t click on Update.
TBH I am a unsure about disabling background services.
Anyway this was only after some more mucking around, including asking me to select NordLynx protocol, that I have been using for ages! See how it goes!
I still have a problem but now it’s not Nord, but just Avast, I have to turn off incoming and outgoing mail checking to use EmClient, doesn’t matter if Nord is On or Off. (now on V34)
Thanks for posting this chat. I have the same software set-up and exactly the same problem and the same timing it commenced. Nord helpdesk was suggesting it was Outlook problem and then an AV problem. I wasted hours checking all settings and even re installing MS Office. Problem lies with Nord. I sent them a copy of this email chain on 22 March and they have informed me they have have sent it to their developers - (help desk may not normally communicate with developers). Receive regular updates that they are looking into the issue.
I hope you get more results than I did. They pointed fingers everywhere EXCEPT at themselves. even when I proved that it was their update that created the issue. I have been using 7.34.4.0 for 20 days and no issues. I hesitate to try the 7.36.1.0 version as Steve1951 said it did not solve the issue.
Hi dana2. I’m also facing the same problem with Thunderbird. I have upgrated to version 7.37.1.0 and the problem persits ! I contacted NordVPN support and after several emails to understand, they only replied that they didn’t know when it would be fixed !
I have the same problem with thunderbird as well. I noticed that the problem persist until I deactivate Avast Firewall, maybe there is a sort of conflict between AV e NVPN .
Yes, Nord VPN answered me few minutes ago about this issue:
" We are aware of the issues you are experiencing with our application and mailing services.
The developers are actively working on a resolution for this issue. However, no ETA can be provided at this current time.
Telling you that it will take 5 days, and if in reality, it ends up taking way more - would be bad for both sides involved.
However, as a workaround and temporary solution, please attempt disabling the Threat Protection Pro - Advanced Browsing Protection and Ad and Tracker blocker features within the NordVPN application one by one, checking whether disabling one of them resolves the issues with sending out and or receiving emails."
Unfortunately I don’t have Threat Protection, Advanced Browsing and Tracker Blocker activated.
let’s wait for the next update.
No issues here with Nord, BUT from your post @Gaianorm ive had advanced brousing protection and ad tracker blocker turned off for well over a year as i had issues back then and nord couldnt fix them so i just left them turned off and forgot about them.
So at first i thought this was the same issue i had and its reared its head again after a new update but as you like me already have both turned off its seems a similar issue but different.
I would say that there is a possibility these NordVPN security elements could conflict with Avast’s (and some other Antivirus programs) active protection.
Same here, Nord needs to look at the code for 7.34.4.0 and the code for 7.35.1.0 and newer and see what they changed. I’m not a programmer but that seems like the first step in fixing the issue.
