Neither the automatic updater or trying to do it manually will complete an update of virus definitions. When it is launched, it says Setup is already running and moves to Step 1/3, initializing. The status bar does not move off zero.
I tried resetting the Software Updater database but the action failed. Any suggestions will be very welcome!
I suggest you do a Clean Install:
https://goo.gl/4Ptzkf
I tried but failed. I did the two downloads but the program will not uninstall because “Setup is already running. Please try to start the setup later.” I click on View Log but it is empty. I tried stopping Avast with the Task Manager but it did not help. Can you suggest anything else? Thank you.
It sounds like you haven’t attempted to run avastclear.exe
I thought I was following the directions in the link you provided, but maybe not. It says to uninstall avast via control panel and follow the directions. Then it says to run the uninstall utility and accept the reboot to safe mode…
So I tried to uninstall via the control panel and got hung up there. Should I run the Uninstall Utility that I downloaded instead, or first?
It would be nice to do it in order but since in your case, this isn’t possible, bypass the normal uninstall
and run the removal tool.
I think I have a problem, Houston! I let avast clear run for about 15 minutes but nothing happened. I hope you have another idea!
Maybe it would be more helpful if you told me what did happen ???
A window launched asking if I would allow the program to make changes and I said yes. They a box appeared with a status bar type of thing running back and forth, left and right and back, telling me it was working. After 15 minutes I figured it wasn’t and closed the program.
Tell me if this is what you saw: https://youtu.be/KD8LO8OxmvM
The dialogue box asking about Safe Mode never appeared, it never got that far. All I saw was the box you see at 20 seconds in that video, and it never went away.
https://screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1519663144616-80406.png
Did you select Yes ???
Did you after selecting yes permit Windows to allow this program to boot into safemode ???
It never got to the point where it asked me if I wanted to reboot in Safe Mode. That dialog box never appeared. It never proceeded beyond what you see at the 19 second mark.
Boot into SafeMode and then run the program while in safe mode.
I completed the uninstall in Safe mode and have restarted. Before I reinstall Avast I thought I would check with you on one thing. I notice in my program list that Avast Driver Updater and avast! EasyPass are still there. Should this be a problem? I wasn’t sure if they should have been uninstalled as well.
Did you purchase these 2 items ??? If not, are there separate entries under Programs and Features to uninstall them ???
Before you reinstall watch this: https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=204972.msg1405903#msg1405903
Both items are on the Programs and Features list. I have a purchased version of Avast (Internet Security) so maybe they came with that. I assume I should attempt to uninstall them on Programs and Features? Meanwhile, back to the video…
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I successfully reinstalled Avast and the virus definitions are up to date and everything is as it should be. I am grateful you took the time to help.
You’re very welcome.
Hello, I am having the same problem as what’s been described, but im having a hard time fixing it…Would you be able to elaborate on how you finally did fix the issue.
I have been using avast free antivirus for a few years now (I have had the paid version at one time), and I have been using the avast browser as well. I noticed my computer was running very slow the last couple days, and I saw the little yellow exclamation point on my avast icon. It said that I needed to do an update (even though it was set to automatic updates), but everytime I clicked update It would just say initializing step 1/3, and the line never moved from zero…even after hours. Then I noticed how it also said I was unsecured on my browser and that I have no protection. I tried to follow instructions of going to the control panel and doing a repair, but everytime I clicked uninstall, a message came up saying setup already in progress and a button that says view log and one that says cancel…when I clicked view log, it just brought up a blank screen. I then tried the fix of downloading the avastclear.exe, but when I tried opening it, it just gave me the small box with the green line going back and forth. I have viewed the video on this thread about what the avast clear should look like, I only get what flashes in the video for a second before the box that asks if I want to open in safe mode. It never does get to the box that asks about safe mode (or anything), it just stays at the box that it shows for a split second prior, and the blue line in the middle just keeps going back and forth. It has been over an hour now and the avast clear still hasn’t opened. If you have any help for me on how you fixed this issue, I would be very grateful, Thanks