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Avast Antivirus not Scanning Email: 6 Useful Methods to Fix

5 min. read

Updated onApril 12, 2024

updated onApril 12, 2024

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Key notes

The Avast Antivirus utility incorporates an integrated Mail Scanner feature for scanning inbound and outbound emails.

However, some users have said on Avast’s forumAvast Antivirusdoesn’t scan emails. This leaves some users’ PCs vulnerable to email attachment viruses.

What’s so important about the Mail Scanner in Avast Antivirus?

One thing to note about Avast Antivirus’ Mail Scanner feature is that it’s for email client software. That means it’s only intended to scan messages handled by email applications like Outlook and Thunderbird. So naturally, web-basedmail services like Gmail have their shields.

However, the Mail Scanner shield in Avast Antivirus is more critical if you utilize Outlook and other email client software. It’s not uncommon for malware authors to spread viruses with email attachments. Therefore, Mail Scanner is one of the four core shields in Avast Antivirus.

How can I fix Avast Antivirus not scanning emails?

1. Check out alternative antivirus software

Remember that other notable antivirus utilities incorporate comparable email-scanning features to Avast Antivirus. For example, ESET HOME Security Essential is a highly-rated antivirus utility with email protection. In addition, that utility’s email protection supports the Outlook, Windows Mail, and Live clients.

ESET HOME Security Essential is also a more internet-orientated antivirus utility than many alternatives. It incorporates network features, such as the Connected Home Monitor. The Connected Home Monitor lets users view connected network devices and identify router vulnerabilities.

Other useful ESET HOME Security Essential features

ESET HOME Security Essential

2. Check the Mail Shield settings for Avast Antivirus

3. Repair the Avast Antivirus software

4. Restart the Avast Antivirus service

5. Remove conflicting antivirus software

If you have asecondary antivirus utilityinstalled along with Avast Antivirus, it’s recommended that you remove it. This is because two or more antivirus utilities can conflict with each other.

You can uninstall a secondary antivirus utility within Programs and Features as outlined within the resolution below.

6. Reinstall Avast Antivirus

There areadditional antivirus alternativesaccessible at a glance if you feel the need to change the antivirus to help you scan your emails. Read about each one and pick the one most suited for email scanning, based on your daily activities and email routine.

Note: Users can also uninstall Avast software with theAvast Clear utility.

Can I manually scan single email attachment files with Avast Antivirus?

Yes, you can select to scan single attachments with that antivirus utility. To do so, save the email file attachment in a folder first. Then right-click the extension in File Explorer and select aScan Avastcontext menu option.

Of course, it’s much better to have the Mail Scanner shield enabled for automatic email scanning. However, when that feature isn’t working, you can still manually scan email file attachments with Avast Antivirus.

So, give those potential resolutions a try whenever theAvast Antivirus utility’sMail Scan feature doesn’t work. If you need more potential fixes, clickContact Uson theAvast support pageto contact Avast’s customer support.

Avast Antivirus not Scanning Email: 6 Useful Methods to Fix#

What’s so important about the Mail Scanner in Avast Antivirus?#

How can I fix Avast Antivirus not scanning emails?#

1. Check out alternative antivirus software#

ESET HOME Security Essential#

2. Check the Mail Shield settings for Avast Antivirus#

3. Repair the Avast Antivirus software#

4. Restart the Avast Antivirus service#

5. Remove conflicting antivirus software#

6. Reinstall Avast Antivirus#

Can I manually scan single email attachment files with Avast Antivirus?#