My avast security has turned off and I don’t know why. When I click “Fix Now” or “start” nothing happens. When I tried to submit a trouble ticket it said I was unauthorized even though I registered. I have tried going to the start-up meny and putting in services.msc and couldn’t make it work that way either. Please help!
You could try a repair. Start as if you where uninstalling Avast!, but choose the repair option when it appears.
Welcome to the forums, april35 
You left out much information which could have helped us help you better.
Please try Gargamel360’s suggestion above. Since we have no idea what OS you are using, I will give you the procedure for XP.
To do a repair of avast :
Control panel > Add/remove programs > click once on avast to select it > click on Change/Remove > scroll down the left pane and click on repair > click OK> follow directions
This has happened to me several times. I have even uninstalled and re-installed only to have it eventually stop working again. The fix and start buttons would do nothing. I went into control panel and tried a fix and it froze. Once I selected the update button and it fixed it. This time I turned off windows defender and opened Avast and clicked the start button and it worked! I am now secured! I suggest anyone having this problem to turn off windows defender and try again. I think they were conflicting. I am running Windows 7, btw.
@ majaha
I have no problems with Windows Defender on my Windows 7 system.
I keep it updated daily through its portal:
Latest definition version: 1.89.1478.0
http://www.microsoft.com/security/portal/Definitions/ADL.aspx
ok, can someon walk me through how to uninstall…then to repair?? I have Vista 
Thanks guys, really appreciate your help so far
Hi April35,
To do a Repair of Avast:
Go to Control Panel > Add/Remove programs > Avast Antivirus > Remove.
Then choose Repair function in the pop-up window (Repair). Reboot.
Let us know if this works for you. Thanks.
When I went to the control panel to uninstall…and then repair…it said it can’t because it says “error processing package, please use full update” and there was a link to “view log” …any suggestion from here? BTW, before when i tried to turn avast back on, a box pops up and says file system shield provider not found…oh please help, i have to be online for my classes…and i have no protection!
I have Vista, not sure if I have windows defender…how would i remove it and is it ok to do so?
You didn’t turn Avast off prior to Repairing it, did you?
If you have Vista, you must have Windows Defender (WD) in your machine. Go to your Action/Security Center > and turn on the Windows Firewall which is WD. You will need to:
- Turn ON WD as Resident
- Update the WD definitions…now you have AV protection.
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed now, so let’s go through this step-by-step.
If you accidentally turned off Avast prior to Repairing it, enable it and try to Repair it again. If the Repair fails, then you will need to uninstall Avast and do a clean (new/fresh install) of Avast:
- Save a copy of newest version of Avast (5.0.677) for the version you need and save it to your HDD:
Free – http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download#tab4
Pro – http://www.avast.com/pro-antivirus#tab4
AIS – http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/setup_ais.exe - Download the Avast Uninstall Utility, aswClear5.exe http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility and save it to your HDD.
- Disconnect from the Internet at this time.
- Uninstall Avast through “Add/Remove Programs” through Control Panel if possible.
- Boot into Safe Mode (hit F8 repeatedly) and run the Avast Uninstall Tool.
- Reboot.
- Install the newest version of Avast and reboot.
- Get Internet access and update Avast definitions.
- Register your copy or add the license key for Free, Pro, or AIS.
Free – http://www.avast.com/registration-free-antivirus.php
Please let us know how things works for you. Thank you.
My AVAST icon say that it has been stopped or in an inconsistent state but I never stopped it…anyway, Windows Defender and firewalls were already on. I have Vista… I paid for the most protection for one year for three computers…which series of instructions should I follow?
Hi April…
Yes, Windows Defender comes with any copy of Windows Vista or 7. I doubt there is a way to uninstall it and it does no harm in letting it run unless it is conflicting with another security application. If you wish disable it, here is some quick instructions how.
Regards…
@ ardvark
Why I do not disable Windows Defender
When Windows Defender is on, you will be alerted when spyware and other potentially unwanted software tries to install itself, run on your computer, or change important Windows settings. If you use the default settings, Windows Defender will also check for new definitions, regularly scan for spyware and other potentially unwanted software, and automatically remove any detected item that has a recommended removal action.
@ april35
avast! 5.x: Inserting the license file into avast! Internet Security
http://support.avast.com/index.php?languageid=1&group=eng&_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=476
I’m getting the same messages now for two days. I read this forum, and tried a “repair”, but still nothing. I’m running WinXP 64 bit pro. Why should I have to go through all the uninstall, reinstall, and update stuff when it’s nothing I did. That just shows me what a bad program this is. When my subscription runs out, I’ll have to think about running a different antivirus program. (If I can even get this one running again.)
Why? Because it is one of the simplest, and only, methods of help that can be offered. That, and it most often works.
I’m running avast! V5.0.677 on my Windows 7 system without a problem.
I agree with Gargamel360.
Hi YoKenny…I am still having the problem…any advice?
Sometimes software (by ANY vendor) can become corrupt for an unknown reason, which requires an uninstallation with the vendor’s tool and a clean install. This has been done for other users successfully and is very easy to do. The above steps are spelled out for you since you seemed quite overwhelmed last night, which I do not blame you given that you need your machine for school.
All of us trying to help you are giving you the same suggestion of uninstalling and doing a clean install to resolve your problem (since the repair did not work), so please try it and report back to us. Thank you.