Full Virus Scan - Unable to Scan all Files

General Topics
1

Hey there

I have previously carried out an Avast full virus scan without issue, but lately it shows scan is incomplete and unable to scan all files.
It tells me to repeat the scan and I get the same message every time.

Is anyone able to explain why and what I can do to rectify this please?

Many Thanks!

FITZ

2

Your comment “but lately it shows scan is incomplete and unable to scan all files” sounds more like an installation issue than individual files.
A screenshot of the error message might help ?

If this were a singe file or file type commonly this is for archive files and they can’t be unpacked
Commonly this is for archive files and they can’t be unpacked, The fact that a file/s can’t be scanned doesn’t mean they are malicious

This sounds more like something is broken with your installation an Avast Repair might resolve it.
AvastUI > Menu > Settings > General > Troubleshooting > APP Repair - Restart after completion.

3

Hi DavidR

Thank you for your reply.

I followed your instructions and after another full virus scan it still shows as incomplete - unable to scan all files.

It seems strange that this is happening as I have completed many full virus scans in the past and have made no changes to my computer.

Is there anything else I could try as it’s quite disconcerting knowing my Avast virus protection is not working correctly?

Many thanks!

FITZ

4
Is there anything else I could try as it's quite disconcerting knowing my Avast virus protection is not working correctly?
post screenshot of message

See below the box you write in: Attachments and other options

Avast blog post: https://blog.avast.com/2014/02/28/how-do-i-handle-files-that-avast-cant-scan/

5

I seem to recall stating that information quite a while ago during an interview by one of Avast’s employees. :slight_smile:

6

At bob3160 & Pondus.

The problem is that it isn’t “Some files cannot be scanned by Avast Antivirus”, but “I followed your instructions and after another full virus scan it still shows as incomplete - unable to scan all files.”

Which would appear to be a program issue rather than single or a few files not being able to be scanned. That is why I suggested an Avast Repair as a first step.

@ FITZ
As suggested attach a screenshot it may give more information (but I have my doubts).

If you did a reboot after the repair, we may be looking at a clean reinstall of Avast.

Also have you recently installed any other security related software ?

7

Hey DavidR

RE-Screen shot
I also have my doubts as I have copied all the relevant information from Avast.

RE-Other security related software
No other security software installed since last successful full virus scan.

RE-Clean Install
I will give that a go.

Hey Pondus and bob3160 - I read this before my initial post.

Thank you all for your help guys, I will try a new install and hopefully that’ll fix this issue

8

Clean Install of Avast:
https://goo.gl/4Ptzkf
If you need additional help with the Clean Install, watch this:
https://youtu.be/p-h3myRD51A