Hi since yesterday i’ve been having a problem with Avast Antivirus.
The icon doesn’t appear on the taskbar/tray and when i go to open up avast it won’t open. a black dialog box quickly opens and shuts. i check Windows Security Center and it tells me avast is working fine.
How can i fix this and am i still protected?
Thanks for any help.
Make a clean install. Protection you can check by downloading eicar file.
I’ve no idea how to do either of them ???
How to Successfully Install Avast http://goo.gl/VLXde
Repair & Clean Install https://goo.gl/t7aJGq
How To Test Your Anti-Virus With Eicar Test File >> https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=eicar+test+file
EICAR https://www.eicar.org/
about http://2016.eicar.org/86-0-Intended-use.html
test files http://2016.eicar.org/85-0-Download.html
EICAR test virus is harmless. You’ll need to click the DOWNLOAD button.
I’d test only after fixing Avast.
the repair mode worked on avast, still need to try EICAR. thanks 
Have same problem today, Avast seemed to be stuck in update.
Problem is that Password manager is not working too.
Repair did not work. Any other solution?
If it is stuck in update a Repair may not work (but did you get any errors ?) and it would be best to reboot after the Repair.
A Reboot could also been an option on the stuck update.
Sorry I don’t use the password manager, though I would check the Password FAQ https://support.avast.com/en-gb/article/Passwords-FAQ or the Avast Passwords for Windows forum https://forum.avast.com/index.php?board=86.0.
If Repair doesn’t fix the problem, try the following:
If your Avast settings are not the default settings and you want them restored after the Clean Install, follow this before removing Avast.
https://goo.gl/TXjM7h
Clean Install of Avast:
https://goo.gl/4Ptzkf
If you need additional help with the Clean Install, watch this:
https://youtu.be/p-h3myRD51A