Avast Service (32 bit) on Windows 10 laptop uses 83 to 96% of CPU all the time.

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

I’m using a Toshiba 64-bit laptop running Windows 10 Home, 8gb memory, and 1T hard drive.

I used Avast security for many years when I worked and now that I’ve retired I’ve switched to using the Free version and have been quite happy with both versions.

However, this problem has to be resolved if I am to continue using Avast. This problem started today and I can’t run anything else on my laptop because it’s clocked at 100% all the time. I tried to end the task in Task Manager and it would not end. Then I ran a repair on Avast but that didn’t change anything. I ended up having to uninstall Avast.

What is causing this problem? And how do I fix it? I attached a screen print showing it clocking at 84%. I tried to attach a dmp file that I ran, in case that might be of help to you in resolving the problem, however it was too large to attach.

Thanks for any help you can give.

2

Is any previous used or factory installed AV removed using that vendors removal tool?

3

I’m not sure what you mean by AV? I did install a couple of pieces of software was supposed to convert MP4 files to DVD, just to try them out, and didn’t like them. When I uninstalled them, I uninstalled them using the Control Panel. Am I not supposed to uninstall them that way? Did uninstalling them screw up something in Avast?

I uninstalled Avast yesterday, also using the Control Panel. I am going to reinstall it right now. If this problem occurs again, should I just plan on uninstalling Avast and reinstalling it?

I’d just like to know how to avoid the problem in the future. And, if that fails, how to correct the problem quickly.

Also, why did running the Repair option on Avast from the Control Panel not fix the problem? I would think it should have.

4

AV=AntiVirus
If you have another AV or remnants of one that could cause conflict, resulting in problems.

The avast Repair can fix a number of issues, but some must be more complex and can’t be easily repaired. That is why the clean reinstall is required if it doesn’t work.

Clean reinstall has a number of steps and isn’t just a reinstall.

  1. Download the avast installer again or use the one you saved from last time.
  2. Download the avast uninstall utility - http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility - save it where you can find it again.
  3. Uninstall avast from the Control panel - reboot.
  4. Run the avast! Uninstall Utility, it will request it be run from safe mode (and will handle the boot into safe mode), once complete reboot into normal mode.
  5. install the latest version, reboot.
5

Links to removal instructions/tools for av’s > http://www.ache.nl

Also, why did running the Repair option on Avast from the Control Panel not fix the problem?
Perhaps there is nothing wrong. Could be you have something running that is causing avast scan a lot.