AVAST Shield causing web to timeout

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
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Yesterday I could not connect to the web or email with my PC. I kept getting ‘cannot connect–website has timed out’ even when going to google or cnn. I rebooted the modem and router and everything worked fine.

The problem reappeared today and rebooting has not helped. Then I tried my Mac (which is on wi-fi) and it worked fine.

Since I don’t have Avast on my Mac, I tried disabling Avast Shield on my PC, and now I can get my email and access the web. But I don’t want to be without Shield. What can I do? Oh, I checked and Avast is up to date.

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  • Which Avast…? (Free/Pro/IS/Premium)
  • Which version/build of Avast…?
  • OS…? (32/64 Bit…? - which SP/Build…?)
  • Other security related software installed…?
  • Which AV(s) did you use before Avast…?
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Avast version: Premium Security 20.2.2401
Avast Build: 20.2.5130.571
OS: Windows 7 64 bit Service Pack 1
Other AV: Malwarebytes 4.1.0.56 Update package version 1.0.22772 Component Package Version 1.0.875
AV before Avast: None

Have been running Avast and Malwarebytes for together for several years with no problem. Machine came originally with Avast. Malwarebytes was installed several years ago when I got a lot of unwanted adware

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Regarding Avast & Malwarebytes, see: https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/200324-exclusions-for-avast-users/

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I excluded Malwarebytes from Avast and excluded Avast from Malwarebytes, but the time out problem persists.

Since the two programs have been working together for at least two years with no problems, it does not seem logical that this is the source of the problem that started last week.

Are there any other suggestions of what may be preventing me from using the web when Avast Shield is working, but I can access the web when Shield is turned off? Thanks.

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Repair Avast:

  1. Avast GUI → Settings → Troubleshooting
  2. Click on ‘REPAIR APP’.
  3. Follow instructions.
  4. Reboot.
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I repaired Avast and rebooted and the problem remains. When I try to access any website, I get a timed out.

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  1. Download Avast Premium Security: https://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_premium_security_setup_offline.exe
  2. Follow instructions: https://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility (Run this tool for all prior installed Avast versions…!!)
  3. Reinstall Avast with the downloaded installer from point 1.
  4. Reboot.
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I am unable to access the internet with the PC that has the problem in order to reinstall Avast.

Do you have any other suggestions as to why Avast Shield is causing these timeouts?

Thank you.

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