Avast Is Blocking VPN – How To Resolve?

Avast is one of the most popular freely available antiviruses. It has a reputation to provide regular security updates and has a good enough reputation for keeping the system secure from malicious entities. However, Avast can be overprotective. In its pursuit to protect your system, it can interfere with applications that are not a threat to the PC.

VPNs are one such category that have regular conflicts with Avast. Many users have complained that Avast is blocking VPN connection and are looking for a fix. If you are one of them, fear not, as in this article I have discussed how to prevent Avast firewall from blocking VPN.

Also read:

• How To Stop Avast Popups – Complete Guide
• How To Uninstall Avast Cleanup – Complete Guide

What To Do When Avast Is Blocking VPN?

Avast is known to detect false positives. VPNs are something that generally have issues with most antiviruses. Very few antiviruses are there that never come in conflict with VPNs. Avast has been reported to block NordVPN in particular. There are a few things that you can do when Avast is blocking NordVPN. I have mentioned them below:

Solution 1: Add The VPN As Exception In Avast

The best way to have both Avast and the VPNs work on your PC is to simply add the VPN as an exception in the Avast Firewall. When Avast firewall blocking VPN, adding the VPN in the exception list will resolve the issue. To do it, follow the steps given below:

1. Open Avast security and click on the Protection option.
2. Select the Firewall option.
3. Click on the Application rules option.
4. Select the New group option located at the bottom of the window.
5. Use the VPNs name, that Avast is blocking, in naming the new group. Like NordVPN.
6. Now, add the executable of the antivirus and set the orange scale to a maximum of 5 bars. Do it for both the executable and group.
7. Confirm and save the changes.
8. Restart the VPN.

Try running NordVPN or any of the other VPNs Avast was blocking. Check if still Avast blocking NordVPN.

Solution 2: Disable SSL Port (443) Monitoring

If adding the VPN as an exclusion doesn’t solve this issue, try disabling the SSL port (443) monitoring. This is what most VPN services use to connect with the internet. Avast and many other antiviruses that have web access protection may block this port in order to safeguard your system. Disable it and see whether the VPN gets to connect with the internet freely or not.

Solution 3: Use Another Antivirus

This may not sound helpful, but if adding the VPN in the exception list doesn’t stop Avast firewall from blocking VPN, then you should consider getting a new antivirus. There are many antiviruses that work without any issues with other VPNs. Some VPNs are known to be compatible with certain antiviruses.

Solution 4: Disable Firewall In Avast

If you still want to stick with Avast, what you can do is disable the Avast firewall and only use the Avast antimalware protection. Windows has an inbuilt firewall that you can use to protect your system instead. This may not be ideal, but it should let your VPN connect with the internet without any issue.

Wrapping Up

So, there you have it. Now you know what to do when Avast is blocking VPN. If you have any questions related to this topic, ask them in the comment section below.