Can't Reactivate and I'm Unprotected

My annual license is up, and I can’t renew it, the program isn’t letting me. Why not?

Provide details…

Those were the details. It won’t let me reactivate my free program, only upgrade choices go through, the rest such as “FREE” won’t process from any screen. Period.

https://www.avast.com/registration-free-antivirus

There isn’t anything there that helps.

What Avast free program version number ?
How long is left on your existing registration (not a license on avast free) ?
How are you trying to renew license ?
Why/How is the program stopping it, e.g. any error messages displayed ?

What Avast free program version number ? 18.3.2333

How long is left on your existing registration (not a license on avast free) ? It says it’s expired.

How are you trying to renew license ? From it’s main screen, from the “warning” popup. It all takes me to a choice screen between two options: Free and $20 upgrade, but only the Upgrade button is highlighted and leads to anything. The “free” option just closes the screen and when it comes back, it’s back to a warning screen of expiration, or the regular main screen with a warning in it.

Why/How is the program stopping it, e.g. any error messages displayed ? Nope, not a one, just won’t process the “free” option. I read somewhere I might have to reinstall it, but haven’t tried yet.

Does this help?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qMSY2FQ4gQ0

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qR9jP6mABDo

Is this the image that you are seeing, see attached, click to expand.

Ignore the Highlighted button for Upgrade selecting the Grey button for free is just a deceptive colour. It should also be active, it certainly was for me.

You could also try going to the Control panel Add remove programs/apps and features and click on the avast antivirus, I think that the Change option should also have a Renew/Register option.

DavidR: Yes, that is it exactly, but when I hit the ‘free’ renew grayed-option, it does nothing no matter how long I wait, like it’s disabled. The rest of your idea I haven’t tried yet, but thanks for the screen pic showing it, I couldn’t get one.

For me it is almost instantaneous however you normally get an offer for the paid versions first and you have to X it out as there is no ‘no thanks’ button. After that you get that second image I attached.

Interestingly I have just had this in my windows10 installation of avast free, I had been holding back on the latest 18.3.2333 version. When I updated I noticed a BIG FAT red ACTIVATE button the Activate button tries to bump you on to the AIS or Premier version, again this isn’t easy just to say no thanks. I rebooted and it killed the big Activate button.

I then had 25 days remaining and was able to get through the update the avast free subscription.

I’m at a loss as to why you can’t get past that, by how many days have you gone past the renewal date ?

I think the control panel suggestion is worth a try before you get down to reinstalling.

Considering there is meant to be no registration required any longer for the free version, this is a pigs ear/dogs dinner and nothing but hassle.

OK, thanks.
BTW, I was trying to renew before this point, it’s when it expired that I came here. It wouldn’t reactivate earlier either, no matter what I did. I even followed the upgrade process to “pay” screen, and couldn’t get to ‘free’ anywhere still.

I’ll look at the Control Panel option, then uninstall if it doesn’t work. Can’t stay unprotected for long, even if I must find another provider…

A screenshot of the Unprotected notice might help.

Nothing seems to work, time to uninstall…

Update to the latest version (18.4.2338): https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=218904.0

OK, I tried that, and my taskbar box still says I’m ‘in danger’ because my service has expired, but it shows as working on my IE menu bar, so I don’t know what’s up.

I tried at last to uninstall it, and FINALLY THEN it offers to reactivate for free, so I reactivated it that way, it “updated,” and seems to be working (on IE anyway) while the taskbar still has it as a warning of expiration with a big red X on it saying it’s not working…go figure.

I’ve about had it with this…that’s the only thing I know for sure.

What’s not working on the task bar and what’s working in IE ???

I have had exactly the same problem for a couple of months getting messages like either no internet connection or content not available or similar messages. I eventually uninstalled but now the new install just disappears after the 3rd step - still no solution. I’m using windows 7 and have had avast on this laptop for about 6 years no problem.

If you have a problem, start your own topic with full details.
Don’t hijack someone else’s topic.

It won’t let me renew my free service! How much clearer can I be? All screen shots are above.
I’m sick of it, I’m uninstalling it all the way this time.