Unraveling the Mystery of PIA Disconnecting Avast Antivirus

When you’re using a VPN like PIA (Private Internet Access) to secure your online activities, the last thing you want is for it to interfere with your antivirus software. However, a common issue that some users face is PIA disconnecting Avast Antivirus. This problem can be frustrating, especially when both tools are essential for ensuring online security. If you’re experiencing this issue, you’re not alone. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind this connection problem and provide a step-by-step guide to fix it.

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What is PIA and Avast Antivirus?

Before we dive into the troubleshooting steps, it’s important to understand what PIA and Avast are and how they work together to protect your online privacy.

PIA (Private Internet Access): PIA is a popular VPN service that encrypts your internet connection, masks your IP address, and helps you maintain privacy while browsing online. It’s an essential tool for users who want to ensure their internet activity remains anonymous.
Avast Antivirus: Avast is a widely used antivirus software that protects your devices from viruses, malware, and other online threats. It also offers a range of features like real-time protection, firewall settings, and more.

Both of these tools are crucial for maintaining a secure online presence, but sometimes they don’t play well together. Let’s take a closer look at why this happens.

Why Does PIA Disconnect Avast Antivirus?

PIA disconnecting Avast Antivirus is a common issue, and several factors could be at play. Some of the main reasons include:

Firewall Conflicts: Avast has its own firewall that monitors incoming and outgoing traffic. When you use a VPN like PIA, it modifies your connection, and this can sometimes trigger a firewall conflict.
VPN and Antivirus Software Interaction: Some antivirus software, including Avast, sees VPN traffic as suspicious. As a result, Avast might block or disconnect the VPN to protect your device from what it deems as unusual activity.
Outdated Software: An outdated version of either PIA or Avast could cause compatibility issues. It’s essential to ensure both programs are running the latest updates.
DNS or Proxy Settings: Sometimes, DNS and proxy settings configured by Avast may interfere with PIA’s connection settings, leading to disconnections.

Now that we know some potential causes, let’s move on to fixing the issue.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fix PIA Disconnecting Avast Antivirus

Follow these steps to troubleshoot and resolve the issue of PIA disconnecting Avast Antivirus:

Step 1: Disable Avast’s Web Shield Temporarily

One possible reason Avast might be disconnecting your VPN is due to its Web Shield feature, which scans incoming data for threats. Disabling this feature temporarily can help identify if it’s causing the issue.

Open the Avast Antivirus interface.
Navigate to Protection and then click on Core Shields.
Turn off the Web Shield toggle switch for a few minutes and check if PIA reconnects properly.

If disabling the Web Shield resolves the issue, you may want to explore further adjustments or consider using a different VPN protocol, as Avast might flag certain VPN traffic as suspicious.

Step 2: Adjust Avast Firewall Settings

If the issue persists, the Avast firewall might be blocking PIA. To fix this, you’ll need to allow PIA through the Avast firewall:

Open the Avast software.
Go to Menu > Settings.
Click on the Firewall option and go to Rules.
Search for any existing rules related to PIA and make sure it’s set to Allow.
If you don’t see PIA listed, you can manually add a rule by selecting Add Rule and allowing all traffic for PIA.

Once done, try reconnecting to PIA and see if the issue is resolved.

Step 3: Update Both Avast and PIA

Sometimes, the problem can be due to outdated versions of the software. Both Avast and PIA frequently release updates that address compatibility issues. It’s important to keep both your VPN and antivirus up to date.

To update PIA, open the application and go to Settings > Updates and check for any available updates.
For Avast, open the Avast interface, go to the Menu > Settings, and select Update to check for new versions.

After updating both applications, check if the disconnection issue persists.

Step 4: Change VPN Protocol or Settings

PIA offers several VPN protocols (e.g., OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2) that can be switched depending on your preference. Sometimes, Avast might not be compatible with a specific VPN protocol, which can cause disconnections. Try changing the VPN protocol in the PIA settings:

Open the PIA client and go to Settings.
Under the VPN Protocol section, try switching between OpenVPN, WireGuard, or IKEv2.
Reconnect to the VPN and check if the issue persists.

Step 5: Reset DNS Settings

Another common cause of VPN disconnects is an issue with DNS settings. Avast can sometimes alter DNS settings to improve security, but these changes can interfere with PIA. Resetting your DNS to automatic might help:

Go to Control Panel on your device.
Select Network and Sharing Center.
Click on Change Adapter Settings.
Right-click your network connection and select Properties.
Click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and choose Obtain DNS server address automatically.

After resetting your DNS settings, reconnect both PIA and Avast to see if the issue has been resolved.

Additional Troubleshooting Tips

If none of the above steps work, here are a few additional troubleshooting tips you can try:

Reinstall PIA or Avast: Sometimes a fresh installation can resolve compatibility issues. Uninstall both programs, reboot your computer, and reinstall them from their official websites.
Contact Support: If you’ve tried everything and the issue persists, you can contact the customer support teams of either PIA or Avast for more specific assistance.
Check for Conflicting Software: Make sure there aren’t other conflicting security or networking tools running on your device that could be interfering with the connection.

If you’re still facing challenges, you can visit the PIA support page or the Avast support page for more detailed help.

Conclusion

PIA disconnecting Avast Antivirus can be a frustrating issue, but it’s not insurmountable. By following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article, you should be able to resolve the issue and restore a secure browsing experience. Remember to disable conflicting features, update your software, adjust settings, and always keep both PIA and Avast updated for optimal compatibility.

If you continue experiencing problems, don’t hesitate to reach out to the customer support teams for further assistance. With a bit of troubleshooting, you can enjoy the full benefits of both PIA and Avast working together to keep your online presence safe.

This article is in the category Guides & Tutorials and created by StaySecureToday Team