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How to Fix Avast Antivirus Not Opening on Mac
Edited 1 week ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team
Avast AntivirusMacTroubleshootingSoftwareIssuesBugsFixesSecurityOperationComputer
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Avast Antivirus is a popular security tool that many Mac users use to protect their systems from various threats such as viruses, malware, and spyware. However, sometimes users may face problems where Avast Antivirus won't open on their Mac. This can be quite frustrating as it leaves your system vulnerable and unprotected. In this guide, we will explore several steps to solve the problem of Avast not opening on Mac. We will discuss the possible reasons behind this problem and the corresponding solutions to get your antivirus software running smoothly again.
Understanding the problem
Before we dive into the solutions, it's important to understand why Avast isn't opening on your Mac. There may be several reasons for this, including:
- Software conflicts with other applications.
- Old Avast version.
- Corrupted application files.
- Conflicting system settings or permissions.
- MacOS updates are causing compatibility issues.
Step-by-step solution
Let’s take a look at the steps to troubleshoot and resolve Avast not opening issue on Mac. It is advisable to follow the steps to resolve the issue efficiently.
1. Check the system requirements
The first step is to make sure your Mac meets the system requirements for the latest version of Avast. Check the official Avast website to verify if your Mac's operating system version is supported.
If your macOS version is out of date, consider updating it as follows:
- Click the Apple menu in the upper-left corner of the screen.
- Selecting "System Preferences."
- Select "Software Update." Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install available updates.
2. Restart your computer
Sometimes a simple restart is all it takes to resolve software issues. Restart your Mac to refresh the system and close any potentially conflicting applications. To restart your Mac:
- Click the Apple icon in the upper-left corner of the screen.
- Select "Restart."
3. Update Avast to the latest version
Make sure you're running the latest version of Avast Antivirus, as updates include important patches and compatibility improvements. To update Avast:
- Open the Avast application (if possible).
- In the Avast menu, click "Avast." Then, select "Check for Updates."
- If an update is available, follow the prompts to install it.
If Avast doesn't open at all, you may need to reinstall it, as discussed in a later section.
4. Reinstall Avast antivirus
Reinstalling Avast may fix any corrupted files or installation errors. To reinstall Avast:
- Open "Finder" and navigate to the "Applications" folder.
- Locate “Avast” and drag it to the Trash to uninstall it.
- Empty the Trash to completely remove the application from your system.
- Visit the official Avast website to download the latest version of the installer.
- Install Avast by following the on-screen instructions in the installer.
5. Check for software conflicts
Software conflicts can prevent Avast from opening. A common culprit could be another antivirus or security software installed on your Mac. Make sure Avast is the only antivirus running on your system. If you have another security software installed:
- Decide which software you want to use and uninstall the others.
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions to safely remove any conflicting software.
6. Adjust privacy and security settings
Sometimes, macOS's security and privacy settings may prevent Avast from running. Adjust your settings as follows:
- Go to "System Preferences."
- Click "Security & Privacy."
- In the "General" tab, make sure app downloads are allowed from app stores and identified developers.
- If necessary, add an exception for Avast under the “Privacy” tab by granting full disk access.
7. Check Activity Monitor
Sometimes, Avast may be running in the background and not responding. You can check if Avast is running via Activity Monitor:
- Open "Finder" and go to "Applications" → "Utilities" → "Activity Monitor."
- Search for any process related to Avast.
- Select these processes and click the stop (“X”) icon in the top bar to exit the processes.
- Try opening Avast normally again.
8. Reboot into safe mode
Booting your Mac into Safe Mode can help identify problems caused by third-party software. Safe Mode runs only essential system programs. To restart into Safe Mode:
- Restart your Mac and hold down the "Shift" key immediately after it restarts.
- Release the keys when you see the login screen.
- In safe mode, open Avast and see if it works correctly.
If Avast works in safe mode, a third-party application might be interfering with it. Rebooting your Mac regularly will help identify the culprit.
9. Contact Avast Support
If you've tried all of the above solutions and Avast still won't open, it's best to contact Avast Support for professional help. They can provide advanced troubleshooting steps or identify the specific bug affecting your situation. Make sure you have relevant information available, such as your Mac's model, operating system version, and any error messages you received.
You can contact Avast support through their official website. Check out their "Contact Us" or "Help" sections to find their support resources.
10. Checking for macOS compatibility updates
Sometimes, macOS updates can cause compatibility issues with apps until they are optimized for the latest updates. Keep an eye out for updates to Avast that may address issues related to newly released macOS versions. Checking and updating regularly can help prevent this kind of problem from recurring in the future.
Summary and Prevention Tips
By following these steps, you will be able to successfully open Avast on your Mac. To prevent future problems, do the following:
- Keep both your macOS and Avast Antivirus updated regularly.
- Checking compatibility of new updates before installing them.
- Avoiding the installation of conflicting software.
- Maintaining appropriate security settings and full disk access permissions for Avast.
Conclusion
Software problems can be tough to deal with, especially when they relate to essential security applications that protect your Mac. However, with a systematic approach, you can effectively troubleshoot and resolve the issue. This guide provides a detailed list of steps you can follow to diagnose and fix Avast Antivirus not opening issue on Mac. Apart from resolving the issue, following these steps can also help maintain optimal performance for your security software and Mac system in general.
Performing regular maintenance on your system and keeping it up to date will go a long way in preventing similar problems in the future, and will ensure that you have uninterrupted protection at all times.
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