So I’ve had an issue with the Avast firewall for about a month now - I would get a generic ‘Firewall is disabled’ / could not start firewall error.
I tried the usual, run a repair [Failed to resolve], uninstall+reboot+reinstall+reboot [Fail], Use the avast clear tool in safe mode, reboot, use the 3rd party ‘post uninstall cleanup’ tool, reboot, install, reboot [Fail], Call customer support (claimed it was a file association problem [Wrong]) [Fail]
I started looking into the services, and found that the firewall was set to automatic start, but not started. So I clicked start. I get a message saying ‘The avast! Firewall service on Local Computer started and then stopped. Some services stop automatically if they are not in use by other services or programs.’
My first thought was ‘huh, must need a command switch to start it’ --No such luck.
I happened to stumble across a post about seeing if the Avast driver was corrupt
(I happen to know how to get there, it’s under [Windows 7] Network & Sharing center > Adapter settings > properties)
There was nothing from avast there! Eureka! Without it talking to a network adapter, the firewall turns itself off!
So I clicked Install… > Service | Avast was sitting there, ready to go.
Once I installed the service, I clicked the fix now button once again, and boom, whiz, bang! Avast! and my PC were like peas and carrots again.
I post this just to get the information out there, to hopefully help some poor soul like myself who is having a problem.
The very best to all of you,
Ender
