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Why Is My Avast VPN Not Working

Avast SecureLine VPN is a subscription-based VPN or virtual private network. You can find it has support for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS operating systems.

Although available separately, Avast SecureLine VPN typically comes as part of the larger software package Avast suite, which contains other security applications like the renowned Avast Antivirus software.

While widely used and a decent performer, you can find instances when Avast SecureLine VPN cannot work as it should, and you are faced with many Avast VPN problems.

Sometimes, you find the connection could not be established, and it returns the error prompt “Sorry, it is not possible to establish a connection.”

You can even find your Avast Secureline VPN not working at all. Here, you can learn more about Avast SecureLine VPN problems, steps for VPN troubleshooting, and how to fix Avast VPN.


Why is Avast VPN Not Working?

Since Avast is infamous for bothersome apps, you will find it unsurprising the VPN is not connecting as well. Here you can see why VPN is not working, and the issues manifest in the Avast SecureLine VPN: (Read Why Does Avast Says My Router Is Not Configured Correctly?)

Location Issues

Avast lets you manually select your location when connecting. When the VPN servers at the site are congested or overloaded, you’ll not be able to connect. If you change the location, it can resolve this issue.

Interference with Third-Party Software

You see reports of the VPN app not working because of interference with third-party apps or other VPN services.

Internet Issues

Any VPN services need the internet to work; if you have internet or network issues, your Avast VPN won’t work.

Installation Problems

In some instances, the Avast Secureline VPN services don’t work correctly because the installation was corrupted or outdated. A quick reinstallation can resolve this issue.

Service Subscriptions

Your Avast SecureLine VPN app must have an active subscription to work correctly. Many users overlook this while they troubleshoot their VPN connection. (Read How To Put Avast In Passive Mode)


1. Changing Your VPN Server Location

AVG SecureLine lets you specifically choose the VPN location.

It can be any country such as the USA, UK, Australia, or other support. Several cases are where specific VPN server locations are overloaded or the server is down.

It is common when numerous Avast users select the same location. Here’s how you can try changing VPN location.

  1. Open the VPN app, then select the Privacy option on the left of the screen.
  2. To the right, click the Change Location button and select an alternative location.
  3. Save changes and exit. Check the issue is fixed or restart your computer and check again.

2. Check Internet Connection

You won’t connect your VPN client if your internet or Wi-Fi isn’t working. In some cases, you could find ISPs are stopping VPNs from running on the network.

Try to power cycle your router. Remove from the mains and wait for about 1 minute. Plug everything back in. Doing so will clear all temporary configurations to initialize everything.

Make sure you can see the antivirus utility system tray icons are working, as these can indicate if you are unable to establish a connection or not.


3. Check Your Subscription

As the app is subscription-based, you need it to be active. If your subscription has ended, you won’t be able to use your Avast VPN client. Navigate to your Avast account page and make sure you have an active subscription.

Check your account and payment details as issues here can lead to closed accounts.


4. Clean Boot Your Computer

Avast SecureLine doesn’t often work if similar apps or services are running on your computer. Antivirus being a prime culprit. One way to check is to clean boot your computer. Here you turn off third-party Windows software, third-party antivirus software, third-party services to determine the conflicts.

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run application. Type “MSConfig” and click the OK button.
  2. Select the Services tab and check “Hide all Microsoft services.”
  3. Now select the “Disable all” button. All third-party services are disabled.
  4. Select the Startup tab and then select Open Task Manager link.
  5. Select a service one by one, then select the button “Disable” in the bottom right corner.
  6. Restart your computer and launch Avast VPN. Try to establish a connection, and if successful, when you turn off Windows third-party apps, you cannot establish a connection on your VPN service because an app or service is conflicting.
  7. Relaunch Task Manager and enable each app one at a time. Press the OK button to save and check your VPN works.

5. Allow on Computer

You may find the Windows Default Firewall and Windows Defender is running as well as Avast Antivirus. You may need to add an exclusion for Avast Antivirus in Windows Firewall and Defender.

  1. Press “Windows” + “R” and open the Run prompt.
  2. Type “Control Panel” and press “Enter.”
  3. Select the “View by:” button, and select “Large Icons.” Select the Windows Defender Firewall icon.
  4. Select “Allow an app or feature through the Firewall” button and then “Change Settings.”
  5. Check the “Public” and the “Private” options for the Avast Antivirus are enabled.
  6. Save changes and exit the window.
  7. Next, press “Windows” + “I” to launch settings. Click “Update and Security”
  8. On the left, click the “Windows Security” button and then click on the “Virus and Threat Protection” button.
  9. Select “Manage Settings” beneath the Virus and Threat Protection Settings header.
  10. Scroll down to “Add or Remove Exclusions”
  11. Click the “Add an Exclusion” option, then select “Folder’ from the File type.
  12. Specify your Avast installation folder add an exclusion on the computer.
  13. Check you can establish a connection.

6. Too Many Connections

Avast SecureLine restricts the number of VPN connections that connect on your VPN license to one or five devices. This depends on the license you bought.

The app won’t work on a second or sixth device that will show the “Maximum connections reached” error message.

If you see this error, try disconnecting VPN clients from the service or disable or turn off the license on unused devices. After turning off clients from the antivirus, try connecting.

If you believe your activation code is being used without your permission, contact Avast SecureLine VPN customer support.

All the above should be enough to fix Avast VPN. In some cases, turning off third-party software or Windows antivirus software firewalls can fix the issue, though it isn’t recommended.

Any VPN application should work with Windows without issue, as should the Avast SecureLine VPN.

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StreamrGo is always about privacy, specifically protecting your privacy online by increasing security and better standard privacy practices.