error occurred while attempting update

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

I have avast home on both home computers. works perfectly on one of them. on other, when computer starts up, I eventually get the following error message: “an error has occurred while attempting to update. click here for more info”. I am able to right click on system tray icon and update virus definitions manually. but how can I make it so that the auto update feature will work? thanks.

2

That’s kinda what’s happening to me too, ejscms.

3

Does this only happen shortly after you boot ?
How do you connect, broadband DSL or dial-up, etc. ?

4

For me, it happened shortly after boot up and I connect with cable broadband.

5

The error occurs shortly after boot up. If I go to the system tray and try to update manually, that won’t happen until after the automatic update tries and fails to update. then the manual update occurs successfully. I am on a DSL line. thanks.

6

Basically, check:

  1. If the servers.def file is corrupt or 0KB (C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\servers.def).
    You can try and download the servers.def file, http://files.avast.com/iavs4x/servers.def and replace the one in the avast setup folder.

  2. If your subscription allows the update right now (i.e., if it is not expired).

  3. If your firewall settings and allow avast.setup to connect.
    If you’re not sure, just turn off your firewall (to be sure the update failure is not due to it).
    Maybe you should ‘remove’ avast.setup entry, try to update, receiving a new alert from the firewall, allowing it and checking it to remember.

  4. Check your proxy settings into avast!:
    Left click the avast icon > Settings
    Update (Basic) > Details > Proxy
    Make sure your browser is not set to “Work Offline” (this option is generally in the File menu).
    If it doesn’t help, try switching the proxy settings from “Auto-detect” to “No proxy” (I’m assuming you’re not connecting to the Internet via proxy).

After that, if the problem persists, let’s try to debug it specifically…

7

Use a text editor and edit the avast4.ini file, the default installation location is C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\DATA\avast4.ini (I would advise you copy avast4.ini before editing it, just in case).

In the [InetWD] section add a line:
AlwaysConnectedWaitSeconds=120
The default is 30 seconds, extending this should allow time for your connection to get established. You can choose a delay suited to you.

[InetWD] AlwaysConnectedWaitSeconds=120