Avast Antivirus is one of the most popular software available that is available for the Microsoft Windows, macOS, Android and iOS that works by protecting your system from any online threat. Although this is a solid software there are instances when certain issues can occur which we will be addressing today. In this latest installment of our troubleshooting series we will tackle the Avast Web Shield won’t turn on issue.
How To Fix Avast Web Shield Won’t Turn On Issue
Before performing any of the recommended troubleshooting steps listed below it’s best to restart your computer first. This action refreshes the operating system and remove any corrupt temporary data that could be causing the problem.
Web Shield is a feature of Avast which actively scans the data coming from the internet and prevents any malware or virus from getting into your system. There are several factors that can cause this feature to turn off for no apparent reason. Listed below are the troubleshooting steps that you need to do to fix the problem.
Restart the Avast Antivirus Service
The first thing you will need to do in this case is to restart the Avast antivirus service.
- Open the Run dialog box by clicking the Windows Key + R key combination on your keyboard.
- Type “services.msc” in the dialog box and click OK to open Services.
- Look for the Avast Antivirus Service in the services list, right-click on it and choose Properties from the context menu which appears.
- If the service is started, you should stop it by clicking the Stop button in the middle of the window. If it is stopped, leave it as it is during this step.
- Make sure that the option under the Startup type menu in the Avast Antivirus Service’s properties is set to Automatic. Confirm any dialogue prompts which may appear when you try to set the startup type. Click on the Start button in the middle of the window before closing this window.
If you get an error “Windows could not start the Avast Antivirus Service on Local Computer. Error 1079: The account specified for this service differs from the account specified for other services running in the same process.” then proceed with the following steps.
- Open the Run dialog box by clicking the Windows Key + R key combination on your keyboard.
- Type “services.msc” in the dialog box and click OK to open Services.
- Look for the Avast Antivirus Service in the services list, right-click on it and choose Properties from the context menu which appears.
- Go to the Log On tab and click on Browse…
- On the “Enter the object name to select” box, type in your account’s username, click on the Check Names and wait for the PC to find your name.
- Click OK when you are finished and type in the password in the Password box when you are prompted with it, if you are using a password.
- Try starting the Avast service.
Check if the Avast Web Shield won’t turn on issue still occurs.
Repair Avast
If the Avast software has some corrupt data that is causing the problem then you can fix this by repairing the Avast installation.
- Click the Start menu button and click the gear-looking icon in the lower left part of the Start menu which will open the Settings window exclusive to windows 10.
- Click on Apps to open a list of all installed programs and tools on your PC.
- Locate Avast in Control Panel or Settings and click on Modify/Change. Avast Setup window will appear immediately prompting you with several choices.
- Click on the Repair button and follow any instructions which may appear afterwards in order to repair it completely. Wait until the utility fixes your Avast installation and you see the Done message appears.
Check if the Avast Web Shield won’t turn on issue still occurs.
Update your Avast software
There’s a possibility that the problem is caused by an outdated software version which is why you will need to make sure that you have the latest version installed in your computer.
- Open the Avast user interface by clicking its icon which is located at the lower right part of your screen at the system tray.
- Go to the Update tab in the Avast window and you will notice that there are two buttons saying Update. One of button updates the virus definitions and the other one updates the program itself.
- Click on both buttons. Avast checks for updates by connecting to their servers and you should follow the instructions which will appear on-screen in order to navigate through the install process.
Check if the Avast Web Shield won’t turn on issue still occurs.
Do a clean install of Avast
In case the issue persists then you will need to uninstall Avast from your computer and reinstall a fresh version.
- Download the latest version of Avast from here https://www.avast.com/en-eu/index. It’s best to download this file to your desktop.
- Download the Avast uninstall utility from here https://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility. It’s best to download this file to your desktop.
- Disconnect your computer from the internet.
- On your keyboard, press the Win+R (Windows logo key and R key) at the same time to invoke the Run box.
- Type msconfig and click OK. Then the System Configurations will open.
- When System Configuration opens, click the Boot tab. Under Boot options, check Safe boot then click OK.
- When you’re prompted to restart your computer to apply these changes, click Restart then you will boot into Safe Mode.
- Run the Avast Uninstall Utility which is saved in your desktop.
- Once finished, press the Win+R (Windows logo key and R key) at the same time to invoke the Run box.
- Type msconfig and click OK. Then the System Configurations will open.
- When System Configuration opens, click the Boot tab. Under Boot options, uncheck Safe boot then click OK.
- When you’re prompted to restart your computer to apply these changes, click Restart.
- Install the latest version of Avast file which is saved in your desktop.
Check if the Avast Web Shield won’t turn on issue still occurs.