Host Unreachable - Won't Update Avast Free Antivirus v. 2014.9.0.2018

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Sometime around the week of July 20, 2014, Avast stopped updating. No pop-up box with the “Virus Database has been updated” verbal notice.
And no notice until two days ago, that Avast was unable to update. (Well, at least that’s now working, even though it can’t update.)
I have tried to update every day through the program, always get the “Host Unreachable” notice. Then despite the fail,
at the end, I get a box telling me I am up-to-date.

I have: Avast Free Antivirus
Program version: 2014.9.0.2018
Virus definitions version: 140818-0
Number of definitions: 2,413,966

Streaming definitions: enabled
According to Component status: 196 definitions received in the last 24 hours.

Windows 7 Pro; 6.1.760 Svc Pk 1 Build 7601
x64 Del Intel Core Duo CPU

Firewall: Comodo (Free) version 7.0.317799.4142 up-to-date.

When I try to update through the program I get:
Downloading file: servers.def.vpx
then, Host Unreachable,
Downloading: prod-ais.vpx
then Host Unreachable
Sending Statistics

Then get a screen that says:
Last encountered error: Host Unreachable
Engine definitions already up to date (current version 140818-0)
Total time: 1.21
Download time: 40s
Downloaded Files: 20 (0.00KB)
Server: Download g5544874 Avast Server
http://g5544874.ivps9x.u.avast.com/ivps9x

Same scenario when I attempt to update the whole program:
Host unreachable- Already up to date current version 2014.9.0.2018) (different server)

However, I know from reading this forum the latest version is AVAST 2014R4 - 9.0.2021. I know I can download this manually and uninstall my current version and install the 9.0.2021 version, but before I do that, I would like to know:

(1) why I am unable to update manually through the program itself?;
(2) why my virus definitions won’t update, either automatically or when I try to update them?;
(3) Is this a maleware infection on my system?

I have run multiple scans through Avast, Malewarebyte, Spybot Search and Destroy and even Windows
Defender - have not found any viruses, maleware.

And I am apparently, not the only user with the same problem. So what’s wrong, Avast? For me, this has been going on for at least a month now. Am losing confidence in the program and not willing to update manually or upgrade until this problem is solved. Any advice?

2

Have you checked the firewall logs?
They may tell you more.

3

Was there a specific reason you are using Program version: 2014.9.0.2018 as the latest Program version is 2014.9.0.2021. Though that may not be the issue, as some are using that version and this issue.

There is also a beta version of avast Program version 2014.1.0.2022 in progress.

There is certainly some confusion in this reported error:
See my reply on another topic, https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=153784.msg1118235#msg1118235.

4

Eddie

Thanks for you help and suggestion - I checked the Comodo firewall logs - computer was purchased and set up in April - On 4/23/14 it shows that Avast Installer “Asked” to go “Out”. Then there are no mentions of Avast in the log until 6/13/14 when the action “C:\ProgramFiles\AVAST Software\Avast\setup\instup.exe” was “Blocked” with Target as “Out”. Every day since then, it shows the Avast “instup.exe” file as “Blocked, Out”.

But even though Comodo Firewall shows it was blocking all out bound requests since 6/13, in fact Avast was updating all along, until the end of July, so that’s puzzling to me.

I checked, the Application Rule set for C:\ProgramFiles\AVAST Software\Avast\setup\instup.exe" is Custom, and the particular ruleset is “BLOCK AND LOG IP OUT from MAC Any to MAC anywhere where Protocol is Any”.

The Comodo ruleset for the main Avast program - “C:\ProgramFiles\AVAST Software\Avast\AvastSvcs.exe” is also “Custom” but that ruleset says “ALLOW IP OUT from MAC Any to MAC anywhere where Protocol is Any”.

Do you think I should change the “Block” ruleset on the instup.exe file to “Allow” like it’s set for the program itself and then the updates will start working?

I really appreciate your help, I think you may be on to something.
Thanks,
Jan

5

David - While i appreciate your attempt to help, I am using version 2018 instead of 2021 because the program won’t update!!! That’s the crux of this post - neither the virus definitions or the entire program will update.

For the past month I wasn’t even getting any kind of update notices - either that it updated or it was unsuccessful updating - just nothing. This past week the “Unsuccessful attempt to update” boxes finally started to appear. Every time that happens, I then try to manually update (through the update section of Avast) - both the virus definitions and the program itself. Both always fail as reported in my original message. THIS IS THE PROBLEM - AVAST WON’T UPDATE EITHER AUTOMATICALLY OR MANUALLY!!!

Thanks, tho’
Jan

6

I suggest you remove all rulers related to avast! from your firewall and have it ask you for permission again.
Any time you change program version, it in essence requires new approval through your firewall.

7

I am having the same problems with updating the program itself. The definitions and engine updates just fine. I am using 2014.9.0.2021. Here’s what I get everytime I try to update the Program:

Last encountered error: Host Unreachable
Time : 5:27
Download 4:49
Downloaded files 20 (15,694.42KB)
Server download w0177954 Avast9 server
http://w0177954.iavs9x.u.avast.com/iavs9x
http://w0177954.ivps9x.u.avast.com/ivps9x

Then it says : New verson available

I did call the 1-866-951-7679 Avast technical support. That person told me that my registry was corrupted and that I had to hire a computer technician to fix it. But from what I see here, and from what other people have told me, I know its not my computer’s registry. Another user told me to just wait until my registration runs out then re register the program and that would fix the problem.

8

You could also do a clean install of the latest version.
Follow the instructions found here:
[b]How to Successfully Install avast! http://goo.gl/VLXde[/b]