Can't print after installing 2014 Program update 9.0.2013

After installing the latest update, AVAST 2014 Program update 9.0.2013, selecting “Print” from almost any application causes the app to hang. By hang, I mean that the program stops responding, and does not display its print options menu.
The only exception I found is Notepad, which prints normally. Since Notepad prints, the problem seems not to be the print driver or the network printer.
I’m running Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit. The system has 4 cores, 8Gb Ram, and 182Gb free space on drive C. For testing the print function, I’m running just one application at a time.
Is there anything in the AVAST update that could affect printing, such as some setting that needs to be changed?

Do you use a network printer? If so, maybe something is blocked.

  • Which OS? (32/64 Bit - which SP)
  • Which avast-version? (Free, Pro, Internet Security, Premier)
  • Which program version (2014.9.0.2013 is the latest)?
  • Other security related software installed?
  • Which AV program was installed before? And how was it uninstalled?

DJBone

Most of your questions are covered in the original post, but here they are (again).
Network printer.
Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit
Avast free edition 2014 Program update 9.0.2013
Other security software: Windows firewall, Windows protector
The previous AV program was the previous update to Avast. I update whenever Avast says a new version is available.

What’s “Windows protector”?

Never heard of that one before.

Do you mean Windows Defender?

If so, it should not be running with avast! and needs to be disabled. Windows defender is practically useless and has low level drivers which could affect avast!

I don’t think the issue is avast! related but you could always test by disabling avast! from the tray icon and testing to see if the printing works correctly or not, if it does work… then avast! could be the culprit.

Windows Virtual Protector is a rogue anti-spyware program.

Clamage please follow these instructions:
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=53253.0

Ah, makes sense now.

I don’t know why I said “windows protector”. I meant windows defender. I disabled it. I also disabled Avast, but it made no difference.

I did a web search and found a Microsoft forum with the same problem: Windows Vista, network printer, apps not responding. The advice was to install the latest drivers from the printer manufacturer’s web site. I did that, and it solved the problem.

Good to hear the problem is solved and thank you for letting us know.

I don’t know why you said protector either, but be glad it is defender and not protector you have/had :wink:
It is strongly advised to disable Windows Defender if you have another av (in this case avast) installed.
Running multiple av’s at the same time may cause conflicts and there is a change that malware is not detected.