Update: Version 19.1.2360 mail shield cause problems with Outlook 2016

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Hello,
Since I upgraded to the new Avast Free version 19.1.2360 (built 19.1.4142.0) I’m experiencing problems when sending and receiving mail in Outlook 2016:
During the mail process synchronization it takes a long time to finish and the connection with my Spam-mail (IMAP) folder times out (‘Can’t connect to the server’).
Outlook 2016 is not the problem here. As a workaround I turned off the Avast Mail Shield to get it working again and have my mail delivered to Outlook.
Please help. Thanks.

2

Hello,
Still no reactions to my post, I really hope anyone can help me with this…?
I use Avast for several years now and never had any problems, until this new version came out…
Sending and receiving e-mails in Outlook 2016 now results in a time out error: Apparently ‘no connection with my Spammail box’ (IMAP) it says… Can’t figure it out… When I disable the mail shield in Avast it all works without any problems and all my e-mail folders are synchronized within seconds. So it seems to point to a problem with the mail shield in version 19.1.2360.
Hope anybody can help me out with this? Are there more problems with the new version blocking mail servers?
I really do hope that I’m not forced to get another virusscanner… :frowning:
Any hint or help will be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance…

3

Follow instructions: https://support.avast.com/article/33/ and post your File-ID here afterwards.

4

Thanks, I just filled in the support form and sent it in.
The File ID is: QK0U3

See the attachment for the Outlook 2016 error. (Sorry it’s in Dutch)

5

You’re welcome, I forwarded it.

6

Still no solution for my Avast/Outlook 2016 problem… It’s annoying to have to switch off Avast first every time I open Outlook to get my mail.
As an Avast Free user I can’t contact support myself. Is there another way to get some support on this? Thanks!

7

Be patient. As said, I already forwarded it.

8

Same problem within Thunderbird 65. Support package ID: T661M

9

Sorry, but his topic is about Outlook…!! I’d suggest to start a new one.

10

Yes, but symptoms are the same no matter what client you use. That would be dupe of this issue. I just wanted to notify, that it is a general problem.

11

MS Outlook uses an Avast plugin/add-in to handle email from within MS Outlook itself, other email clients have email handled by the Avast Mail Shield.

12

Certainly no general problem, I’ve no issues with Thunderbird & Mail-Shield here.

13

Ok then, I’ve created a new topic…
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=224649.0

14

Still no response from the Avast techs… :frowning:
I noticed I use the same settings that are used by Waclaw66 in Thunderbird for my Outlook 2016: experience the same issues: IMAP disconnection, port settings, STARTTLS etc., are the same… I disabled Avast Mail Shields and then it’s working fine.
So it looks like this is a general problem in version 19.1.2360.
For testing I also temporarily uninstalled Avast and installed Bitdefender Pro instead and then had no problems with Outlook. Don’t get me misunderstood here: I’m still in favor of Avast and really do hope they’re gonna fix this problem in the next update…

15

I’ve reported the problem to Avast. Let’s see if that helps.

16

Our customers at Vevida (Vevida.com) experience the same problems. After we disabled TLSv1.3 for our outgoing mail server the time-out issues were no longer present.

Support package ID: 0OL8S

17

Since Avast 19.1.2360 I experience problems as well (no connection with my spammail box) results in an Outlook 2016 error. I’m a Vevida customer and use STARTTLS.
@Johan | Vevida: What setting do you recommend instead?

18

@apeka

We disabled TLSv1.3 for our incoming and outgoing mail server. You don’t need to change the settings. If you still receive errors in Outlook i would advise you to contact our customer service.

Vevida
0502110100
info@vevida.com

19

I started getting problems with Avast and Outlook when I installed Avast in April 2019. Avast could not help so I turned to Microsoft. Initialy thay could help by disabling add ins but then it started again. I asked Avast for a refund in JUly 2019 explaining why but this is the reply that I got:=
-All Avast programs can be used 30 days for free as a trial, and additionally we offer a 30 days money back guarantee from the date of purchase.
On this occasion, it appears that you have missed the guaranteed period.

I kept disabling Avast each time to use Outlook but it became problematic and tedious. Also I had no anti-virus. Having paid for a years subscription I reinstalled it and the problems started again in September 2019.

I turned back to Microsoft Support and after trying various things for weeks, they finally asked me to disable Avast until further notice. I have done that and the problems have ceased. I have no intention of using it again. In my view, it is wasted money and a problematic piece of software, if you are using Windows 10.