Why is my internet so slow after updating Avast antivirus?
Asked by
TechieGamer23
I recently updated my Avast antivirus on my Windows 10 PC, and ever since I did that, I'm experiencing really slow loading times on many websites. It's not all websites, but popular ones like ESPN, Reddit, and the NYTimes are struggling to load or time out completely. I've tested multiple browsers, and every one of them shows the same issue. On my laptop without Avast, everything loads fine, and my phone has no issues either. I even noticed that my Gmail is taking longer to respond when I check my emails. I uninstalled and removed Avast completely using their removal tool, but the problem persists. I also tried the flushdns command, which didn't help either. I need some advice on how to fix this because it's really making browsing difficult on my PC. Thanks!
Edit: I ran a speed test and got 80 mb/s download and 0.08 mb/s upload. My PC is hardwired, but when I switch to Wi-Fi, the pages load faster. What could be going on? I doubt my Ethernet cable is faulty since the issue started right after the Avast update, but I am getting hangs like "waiting for dcn.espn.com" or stuck on "TLS handshake."
Answers
You don’t really need Avast unless you’re going to risky sites. For general browsing, Windows Defender is perfectly fine. It sounds like the issues might not be just from Avast; it could also be how it interacts with your Ethernet. If Wi-Fi is working well, maybe there's a driver issue? It's worth looking into.
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Yeah, a clean uninstall of Avast is a good start. It's known to mess with internet speeds and DNS settings, which might be why you’re noticing the slow loading times. You could check if it installed any VPNs or altered your DNS settings. If you’re still having problems, you might want to look into resetting your network settings as a backup plan.
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It sounds like Avast might be causing some serious issues with your connection. Honestly, many people have moved away from it because it just creates more problems than it solves these days. If I were you, I’d recommend uninstalling Avast entirely and switching to Microsoft Defender. It’s built into Windows and does a great job without the hassle. Maybe try updating your browsers as well!
CuriousCat88: Glad to hear you’re considering that! Updating browsers might help too, though I still think you should ditch Avast.
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Honestly, Avast isn't what it used to be. Reinstalling Windows could be an extreme measure, but if it's affecting your browsing like this, it might just be necessary. Just stick with Microsoft Defender and maybe add Malwarebytes for extra protection without the bloat. It should be more than enough for your needs!
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OP_Support: I appreciate the tips! I'll check the Ethernet drivers and see if there’s an update available.