Long time Avast user here, been using Avast for over a decade now without much problems. Since building up my new PC today (Windows 8.1) and installing Avast as the first thing I’ve noticed something quite problematic with it. Avast Web Shield seems to be blocking so much of my internet traffic that browsing the net is a complete pain; images don’t load proper, can’t download any files without transfer error, even sites may not load before tapping F5 a few times. Disabling Web Shield instantly removes all and any problems, so it’s obviously because of it. I can reproduce the issue as many times I want by enabling then disabling the shield, always instantly breaks/fixes everything. Happens on all browsers, and even on other applications - such as Steam - anything that moves traffic.
Mmh, quite hilarious that I am unable to even update Avast virus definitions while Web Shield is activated :-X Same thing as with other programs, download starts only to get stuck then or at 99%.
Tried reinstalling a few times, doing a clean install etc but alas to no avail.
It’s such a glaring problem that I’m forced to look elsewhere unless I can find a fix soon, but decided that since I’ve been using Avast for so long it’d be worth a shot to write about this on the forums. Maybe, just maybe, someone has some ideas. :-\
Have you installed all drivers for your system prior to installing avast?
Have you booted several time after installing avast?
Please check if Windows defender is disabled.
Disable the windows firewall and see if it makes a difference.
What exact version of avast do you have?
Yeah, I’ve booted several times, no help. Windows defender is disabled. I tried turning off firewall, problem persists eitherway. I was using 9.0.2021, and now tried 2015 RC1 - both generate the same issue. It’s like it’s letting data through occasionally and then the next second not, since websites work after a few refreshes etc. Images can load up looking messed up, since the data is not going through proper.
I tried customising Web Shield and turned off everything there is that can be turned off, adding browsers and addresses to exclusions - yet, the problem persists. Only when I completely disable Web Shield part of Avast does the problem instantly go away. I’m really at a loss here, I can’t figure out what could possibly be causing such issues. Obviously there is something terribly wrong somewhere, since it’s even blocking its own traffic, but I can’t figure out what could be wrong.
Yeah, I thought the same. I am using Windows Firewall, tried manually adding Avast to make sure it’s letting it through - didn’t help. Turned off Windows Firewall - didn’t help. As the latest resort I started a 30 day trial on Avast Firewall while keeping Windows Firewall off - didn’t help. Amazing. ??? Never had this problem before jumping to my new computer and Windows 8.1 yesterday, so it’s definitely some new conflict here somewhere, but I am running out of places to look. Tried connecting to the internet without router as well, didn’t help.
see instructions here https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=53253.0
scroll down to Farbar Recovery Scan Tool … follow instructions and attach the two diagnostic logs in your next reply here
Thanks for all your help, but unfortunately it did nothing to fix the problem. I have no idea what’s up with my Avast Web Shield : Absolutely mindboggling.
Well, atleast we got rid of the adware.
Hmm baffling as the firewall is now reset to default and all IPs are flushed along with the DNS
As a thought could you go to task manager > start-up and temporarily disable Akamai NetSession Interface from starting
Reboot and see if the problem is still present
Thanks for all your help. As expected, no help. Uninstalled the whole Akamai Netsession, since I had no need for it anymore anyway. Well, I’m really out of options here, something is just bugged to eternity and back with my Web Shield. It smells like a conflict of some sort, but since Avast was one of the first programs I even installed, the probability of one is low — add to that all the attempted fixes and it’s looking like something is just bugged, I’m not sure. Such a shame, but maybe some future update will fix it.
Also the non-vital ones must be installed prior to installing avast.
I have seen it that only one driver was not (correctly) installed and it gave problems with avast.
I’m not saying this is the problem, but it can be.
Disconnect from the Internet (pull out the cable)
Install windows (format the drive)
Install ALL drivers for your system
Disable Windows Defender (avast should do that, but check if it really is disabled)
Install avast
Connect to the Internet
Install all updates security/drivers (especially the security updates/service pack)
Install the applications you are normally using
Make settings/configurations changes is you want/need
Create a image of that drive
That last one will safe you a lot of time in case you need to/want to reinstall windows again.
I have the same problem as mudjeh.
I have just installed the new version “Avast Internet Security 2015” and have got the same problem.
I have disabled Windows Firewall, which seemed to help for a while. Then when I disable Web Shield and Secure DNS, there are no problems connecting to the internet.
I consider rolling back to “Avast Internet Security 2014”
Long time Avast user, and was very happy with it. It is my first problem with Avast & network.
I just upgrade laptop from ASUS N75VZ i7-3600 NV650m to G751JT i7-4710 NV970m. Just shift SSD to new laptop, install new drivers and everything run fine except file download from internet and Firefox errors on most well known sites. I try both network interfaces LAN and WLAN, finally reinstall Avast & Windows, update BIOS, etc. At moment I suspect hardware incompatibility with CPU. Because on other computers with same OS and WLAN cards but different CPU everything working just perfect.
Please advise how to test and identify problem source in my case?
Absolutely mindboggling.