Is the latest popup indicating your FREE licence needs re-activating a deliberate ploy?

[simonparkes]

I have already posted on these forums with regards the latest September 2025 popup regaring the re-activation of my FREE Licence that will NOT activate but takes you around in a look to no avail while trying to get you to take up a special premium deal? - tried a FRESH install and used the AVAST clean utility

I have had NO response from AVAST??

Tried their site but you get no way of contacting them direct as its a FREE version.

Nothing from their FACEBOOK page and no answers from any admin or avast employees on here!

Im now beginning to think this is it for FREE? Maybe something changing up in AVAST towers to try and get everyone to go premium?

I personally have LOVED AVAST, it has done everything and more for over 8 years (or a lot more, can’t remember when I first installed it?) But maybe that relationship is now coming to an end

At present, I dont know of any other AV I would like to move to? and as for sticking with DEFENDER…er….I dont think so!

The only other DECENT AV was Malwarebytes, but you have to go premium to get an active version since the FREE one is really just to run manually when you THINK you may have some dodgy files..

I see that Im still protected even though the FREE licence has EXPIRED but is that ‘time limited’?

Just the annoying popup every morning when i turn the PC on?

I do hope someone gets to chat to AVAST to see if its just some bug?

[chris...]

@simonparkes

…
I have had NO response from AVAST??
…
I do hope someone gets to chat to AVAST to see if its just some bug?

Avast is aware of the issue… responded… and requested debug files, which some users provided.
Officially, they are still looking for what is wrong.

Unable to reactivate Avast Free antivirus

Thank you all for responding. It seems that the fix did not work for all users, unfortunately. We are aware of this situation and we are working on a fix with top priority. We apologize for any inconvenience this might be causing.

Whatever the reasons why it hasn’t been resolved (intentional or genuine difficulty), I think there’s nothing else you can do to wait or leave. Here, you’ll get nothing more than replies from other impatient users (and I believe them), but unfortunately nothing useful to speed up the resolution.

[simonparkes]

Hiya, Cheers for posting this as at least they ARE aware of it being an issue Puts some faith back into Avast for acknowledging their FREE community. I dont think many PAID AV’s respond usually! lol

[rocksteady]

FYI. This is the last thing I have seen posted by an Avast employee on the subject. New version 25.9 - #5 by prokopes_

[simonparkes]

Still hope they are working on it

[simonparkes]

FIXED! - for me at least!

Finally had a response from AVAST direct via Facebook Messenger.

Now, I already tried a reinstall and Avast clean but failed.

Avast said do it again but use the OFFLINE installer.

I totally removed AVAST - used the Avast Clean Tool and downloaded the offline Avast Free Installer.

I also ran CCleaner (and registry fix) too!

Reinstalled Avast using that offline installer, logged back into my account and Voila! no more nag!

Please let me know if it works for you!

[DavidR]

For those who wish to do this - Ensure that you get a genuine Avast off-line installation file.

AVAST Offline Installation File - Free: https://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_free_antivirus_setup_offline.exe

[DavidR]

Another fix has been done and should auto update, see:

Unable to reactivate Avast Free antivirus

Hi all, a new fix for this problem has been released. It is a backend fix, meaning you don’t need to update the app to apply it. If you still see the notification suggesting that you activate your free license, you should be able to finish the activation flow. If you cannot finish the activation flow, please restart your computer and recheck the status. We apologize for the delay in solving this problem and for any inconvenience it might have caused.