This article helps you troubleshoot website access issues on Windows that may be caused by Avast Antivirus (Avast Premium Security, Avast Free Antivirus, or Avast One). These issues may include blocked websites, browser error messages, or unusually slow page loading.

Before you begin, make sure:

• Avast Antivirus is up to date.
• Your browser is updated to the latest version.

Scenario 1: The website is blocked by Avast as malware

Avast blocks access to the website and displays a message such as Threat secured, Infected website, or Malicious URL blocked.

If you believe the website is safe, the detection may be a false positive.

Recommended action

• Submit the website for review: Report the website as a false positive using the Avast False Positive review form. Confirmed false positives are typically resolved through automatic virus definition updates, within a few hours.
• Optionally, add the website as an exception: You can add the website URL to Avast exceptions. Only do this if you fully trust the website, as adding exceptions reduces protection.

Best practice: Submit a false positive report and wait for the automatic fix before adding an exception.

Scenario 2: The website shows a browser error, but Avast shows no alert

The website does not load and your browser displays an error (for example, This site can't be reached), but Avast shows no detection.

Step 1: Check whether Avast is involved

Temporarily disable Web Guard (formerly Web Shield), then restart your browser and try to access the website again.

• Free Antivirus / Premium Security
  1. Open Avast Antivirus and go to Scam Guardian.
  2. Click the green Web Guard slider to turn it off.
  3. Select a time duration and confirm.
• New Avast One
  1. Open New Avast One.
  2. Go to Scam Guardian ▸ Web Guard.
  3. Select a time duration and confirm.

Outcome

• If the issue persists, Avast is likely not the cause. Try an Incognito/Private window or a different browser.
• If the website works with Web Guard disabled, continue to the next step.

Step 2: Disable HTTPS scanning

• Free Antivirus / Premium Security
  1. Open Avast Antivirus and go to ☰ Menu ▸ Settings.
  2. Select Scam Guardian ▸ Web Guard.
  3. Untick Enable HTTPS scanning.
• New Avast One
  1. Open New Avast One and go to ••• Menu ▸ Settings.
  2. Select Antivirus ▸ Core Shields.
  3. Under Configure shield settings, select Web Guard.
  4. Untick Enable HTTPS scanning.

Outcome

• If this resolves the issue Repair Avast Antivirus and restart your computer.
• If not, continue to the next step.

Step 3: Disable hardware network acceleration

• Free Antivirus / Premium Security
  1. Open Avast Antivirus and go to ☰ Menu ▸ Settings.
  2. Select Scam Guardian ▸ Web Guard.
  3. Untick Enable hardware network acceleration.
• New Avast One
  1. Open New Avast One and go to ••• Menu ▸ Settings.
  2. Select Antivirus ▸ Core Shields.
  3. Under Configure shield settings, select Web Guard.
  4. Untick Enable hardware network acceleration.

Outcome

• If the issue is resolved, you can leave this setting disabled. In most cases, the impact on performance is minimal.
• If the issue persists, Repair Avast Antivirus and restart your computer.

Scenario 3: The website loads very slowly, with no error and no alert

The website eventually opens, but loading is unusually slow and Avast shows no detection.

Step 1: Check if Avast is involved

Temporarily disable Web Guard (formerly Web Shield), then restart your browser and try to access the website again.

• Free Antivirus / Premium Security
  1. Open Avast Antivirus and go to Scam Guardian.
  2. Click the green Web Guard slider to turn it off.
  3. Select a time duration and confirm.
• New Avast One
  1. Open New Avast One and go to Scam Guardian ▸ Web Guard.
  2. Select a time duration and confirm.

Outcome

• If disabling Web Guard does not help, Avast is likely not the cause.
• If the website loads normally with Web Guard disabled, continue to the next step.

Step 2: Disable hardware network acceleration

• Free Antivirus / Premium Security
  1. Open Avast Antivirus and go to ☰ Menu ▸ Settings.
  2. Select Scam Guardian ▸ Web Guard.
  3. Untick Enable hardware network acceleration.
• New Avast One
  1. Open New Avast One and go to ••• Menu ▸ Settings.
  2. Select Antivirus ▸ Core Shields.
  3. Under Configure shield settings, select Web Guard.
  4. Untick Enable hardware network acceleration.

Outcome

• If the issue is resolved, you can leave this setting disabled. In most cases, the impact on performance is minimal.
• If the issue persists, Repair Avast Antivirus and restart your computer.

Need more help?

If the issue persists, contact Avast Support and include:

• The affected website URL.
• Browser name and version.
• Avast Antivirus version.
• Whether Web Guard affects the issue.
• A screenshot of any error message you see.

Updated on: 4/30/26