services error message

Dear Forum,

I have used avast free anti-virus for years, but now it is playing up. I know little about the software - I just want the free virus protection.

The error message is attached. I can usually get it to start again either by clicking restart service or by restarting avast. But it goes off again.

I am using windows 8.1 Pro but avast free anti-virus 18.4.2338 (from control panel programs and features) installed on 5/19. I think it was a problem before then. Any help?

Bill Z

No attachment…?

Here

Repair >> https://support.avast.com/en-au/article/Repair-Antivirus

Thanks Pondus, I will try that. But I think I have tried it before.

Pondus,

I have tried the repair and it appears to have worked as I restarted and avast is running.

Please excuse that I am guarded because I think I tried it before and it didn’t work. This time I made sure no other software was running.

So thanks for your help, and I hope it has worked.

Bill Z

Pondus,

I was right to be guarded.

I have just checked, and found that Avast was down (please see attached).

It told me to start Avast again. I did and got the UI failed message again. I kept trying and it is now working but I suspect temporarily.

Thanks for trying.

Any other security-software installed?

Did you remove any previous used antivirus before installing avast?

Hi Pondus,

Thanks for your help.

No other security software installed - checked programs and features.

When the computer was new it was installed with ESET. I removed it and then installed Avast. It was running OK for about two years.

I just looked and avast was down. I looked in Task Manager Services and started it again.

Bill Z

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

Thanks Bob for this, I will look into it.

It was suggested I try other software so I installed AVG free antivirus (cleared avast and then installed).

Now AVG is having the same problem with services stopped.

Is this a different problem to do with windows services? Would a clean install affect this problem?

Bill Z

One AV at a time. You need to totally remove the current one(s) before you install a now one.
Best to start with a clean slate and then install the AV of your choice.
Removing your old AV Program https://goo.gl/Gqi2JS

I used avastclear.

But I will try

Clean Install of Avast:
https://goo.gl/4Ptzkf

Bill Z