Manually Update AVG When Problems Occur
Thursday, August 28th, 2008by Gary Keorkunian
Posted in Security, Free Software, How To | 54 Comments »
With today’s new AVG Anti-Virus release - like many of you - I experienced some problems updating. I kept getting the message that the update failed and my AVG system tray icon sat there with the big red exclamation point. Usually when this happens I am able to resolve the issue by double clicking or right-clicking on the icon and selecting “Update Now.” Today that didn’t work either. Not just on one machine, but several. I believe the most likely cause was heavy traffic on Grisoft’s web site (NOTE - Grisoft is the publisher of AVG products).
Fortunately, there is another way to manually update AVG that did work. The purpose of this post is to describe how to do just that.
1. Create a Folder for the Update Files. The update will work best if you place all of the files into the same folder - and to avoid potential problems that folder should not contain other files. I found it easiest to simply create a new folder on my desktop for this purpose.
2. Download the Update Files. The next step is to download the update files directly from AVG’s - that is Grisoft’s web site. As of the time of this post you can find the files on the following page:
http://free.avg.com/download-update
Once there you will see the list of updates near the bottom of the page. Download each of the updates listed into the folder you created in step one.
3. Run AVG’s “Update from directory” Option. Open the AVG User Interface by double clicking on the AVG icon in the system tray or by selecting it from the Start | Programs menu. Select the “Update from directory” option under the Tools menu.
You will be prompted to select a directory. Select the folder that you created in step one and to which you downloaded the update files in step two. When the AVG Update dialog appears, simply click “Update”. In a few moments AVG will be updated and you will be back in business.
If you have any questions or additional tips to contribute add a comment here. Happy and safe surfing!!
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August 29th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Just wanted to say thanks for the step by step instructions, have managed to update my avg as instructed by your method. Thought Id print instructions for the next time that I have to do this, as it seems as if it is going to be an ongoing problem with avg.
Im sadly loving the full on avg icon in my toolbar, I did not like the red exclaimation mark!
Thanks once again.
August 29th, 2008 at 9:48 am
You’re welcome, Alison. I’m glad it helped.
September 12th, 2008 at 11:39 am
HI!:D
I have a problem. When i update it manually it says cannot find server or somthing like that …
What do i do??
September 12th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Hi Oystein,
At what point are you getting that warning?
September 22nd, 2008 at 6:44 am
The link: https://secure.grisoft.com/ww.download-update is not working
September 22nd, 2008 at 7:19 am
Apparently AVG is having an issue with their SSL certificate.
Try this link: https://secure.avg.com/ww.download-update
October 15th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Thanx man now i can update! I found 7 new trojans after the update that it didnt find b4 so it was definitely worth it.
November 6th, 2008 at 9:32 am
Thank you for helping me with the update situation. I was not a happy camper when I kept getting the “failed to update” notice.
November 6th, 2008 at 9:36 am
You are welcome.
November 6th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Thank you Gary very much. I do not usualy have a problem but today I did.
November 12th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
hi Gary everytime i try to log on to a avg website it comes up with sever not found how am i suppose to get around this to update
November 13th, 2008 at 12:36 am
Hi Teresa,
I was just able to get on AVG’s site using the link in this post. Perhaps it was just down when you tried.
Give it another try.
November 13th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Great instructions however the link you posted must be down a lot. I have tried over a dozen times today and it says server not found.
November 13th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Hi Kim,
It has been intermittent. AVG recently posted a warning that a previous signature file was incorrectly identifying user32.dll as a virus. Their report says that they have corrected this and I imaging everyone was crowding in to get the update. That traffic should dwindle over the next several hours and days.
November 17th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Great Site.
Have two computers one has successfully downloaded AVG and working fine. The other unit wont connect to update manager. AVG keeps saying “some conponents report an error” can not connect to update site on links here from this computer ,”exploere can not connect page”but the one that is working fine allows me too? Have I got a setting on I shouldnt on this computer, both units are using the same router. I have just cleared a virus (hijacker to Antivrus 2009) using spyhunter then Avira.
Seems odd one computer runs AVG fine and the other doesnt?
November 17th, 2008 at 11:37 am
Thanks, Richard,
It sounds like that AntiVirus 2009 may have some left over effects. One of the things it does is block traffic to legitimate AV packages.
Try copying the updates files from your good PC to a memory stick or external hard drive. Then connect it to your other PC and run the update on the from there. That should work OK. Once that is done run a full AVG scan and it should eliminate the left overs from that infection.
Good Luck
Gary
November 17th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Hi Gary
Thanks for quick response.
I actually followed above manual instrcution and did this and then ran them from a cd. The updates worked, did full scan and did get rid of stuff. But still getting error message. I think the virus is still blocking all AV sites and occasionally hijacking web seasrch links.
Is it worth me trying to reinstall AVG.?
The virus seems to re appear again soon after I reconnect should AVG not be stopping this?
Cheers
November 19th, 2008 at 8:50 am
Hi Richard,
When I encounter issues like this I usually just reinstall the OS and everything from the ground up. It takes some time, but usually not much more than it would to work out an elusive infection.
Check out my article on doing this: Reinstalling your Windows PC from the Ground Up
A great benefit of this is a smooth running PC.
Gary
November 19th, 2008 at 9:23 am
Had a problem with my pc, needed formatting, so I got that done. After new installation if windows, I found that I could go straight online through my modem without installing my ip software. After installing AVG free it would download updates and said it was installing them and everytime after reboot, kept getting the same answer “updates available, restart pc after update” over and over again, after countless restarts. After sitting and wondering for a while, I thought maybe its because my ip software had not been installed, so I did that, reinstalled AVG free and it works fine now. Good luck…
November 26th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
I am still having the server not found update problem. I tried your fix and the server is still not found. I uninstalled and reinstalled AVG 8. would it help to go back to 7.5?
Avg thinks I have Roxio installed when it installs. I uninstalled Roxio 5.0 years ago could this be the cause? How about InCD?
November 30th, 2008 at 3:52 am
Hi Gary
Thanks for quick response.
I actually followed above manual instrcution and did this and then ran them from a cd. The updates worked, did full scan and did get rid of stuff. But still getting error message. I think the virus is still blocking all AV sites and occasionally hijacking web seasrch links.
Is it worth me trying to reinstall AVG.?
The virus seems to re appear again soon after I reconnect should AVG not be stopping this?
Cheers
I have the same problem as Richard above. Did Richard find a fix? I want to avoid reinstallation if possible
November 30th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Hi George,
There is a known Roxio bug that gets flagged by AVG. Even though you uninstalled it, it may have left the offending items in the registry or elsewhere. I would suggest running a tool like CCleaner to remove dead registry entries that Roxio may have left behind. I don’t know of any issues with InCD.
I wouldn’t go back to AVG 7.5 as it may not be supported for much longer. If you continue to have issues try running a different anti-spyware tool like Spyware Terminator to see if it picks up something that AVG may have missed. If all else fails, I would do a complete reinstall of your OS.
You can find CCleaner and Spyware Terminator in the Free Software Catalog. You can also find a previous post on reinstalling Windows.
Gary
November 30th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Hi Ton,
Another alternative to reinstalling the OS is to try a different AV package like AntiVir or avast. I do prefer AVG, but one of these others may work to clean an obscure infection.
I understand your reluctance to want to reinstall the OS, but I often find it’s well worth it. Not only will it remove any malware, but other bloatware as well.
Gary
December 11th, 2008 at 8:32 am
Hey,can I update my avg internet security manually?Help me!!!
December 11th, 2008 at 8:35 am
What gives a best protection?AVG or NOD32antivirus?
December 16th, 2008 at 1:10 am
Hi Gary,
My AVG has not been working since I came home for the holidays. It keeps saying the connection failed, but clearly I am connected (and have been the second I turned my computer on). I am using a wireless connection at home, versus using a local internet connection my school requires (we use the Reset system for our dorms using an Ethernet cord). Ever since coming home, the update manager will not work, at all. I have no idea what to do, it’s been almost a week and AVG support people are very slow in responding and have offered no help.
December 17th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Hi Chantel,
It’s true you probably won’t get a lot support from Grisoft for the free version of AVG.
I suggest following the steps in this post. It’s the best way to update your AVG when other techniques aren’t working.
Gary
December 19th, 2008 at 3:19 am
hey gary. none of the sites seems to be working. any ways around>?
December 19th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Hi Jonny,
I just checked and it seems to be up. That will happen from time to time with AVG. Give it another try.
Gary
December 26th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Hi Gary,
Thanks for the step to step guide. But somehow i never can connect to avg website.
http://www.avg.com
https://secure.avg.com/ww.download-update
Both are not working fine.
I got the installer from my sister and installed successfully yesterday.
The update manager, anti-virus, anti-spyware are all outdated.
Is there any way that can let me update it?
Thanks.
Regards,
Syuen
December 31st, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Syuen:
You need to get the updates from another PC and move them to your machine manually. Odds are the spyware/virus you have is blocking access to the site.
Or, at least, that’s what I just had to do!
January 18th, 2009 at 2:41 am
Hi MAN,
Thank you very much for this smart solution, it works very good.
I appreciate that very very much.
THANKS.
January 25th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Thanks mate
January 26th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
needing to do a database update but having a dial up connection I asked a (broadband friend) to download the files for a manual update.
put the files (4 of them) in a directory then after installing AVG did an update tru that directory.
then I have an arror ” wrong binary file:?
any help would be apreciated.
thanking you
michael
January 29th, 2009 at 5:43 am
Wow! It works!!! Thanks!
February 17th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Thanks bro!! very helpfull!!!!
February 20th, 2009 at 12:28 am
Hey buddy,
after reading your forum I tried for two months but always it shows that window can not find server
Regards,
Nikul
February 20th, 2009 at 8:16 am
Hi Nikul,
Is AVG giving you the error when it attempts to update? This will happen from time to time with AVG. If it happens consistently then I suggest reinstalling AVG.
Are you able to update using the method described in the article?
Gary
February 20th, 2009 at 10:48 am
This problem was driving me crazy! Ty - I have now bookmarked this site.
February 27th, 2009 at 12:07 am
I’ve been manually updating my AVG for the past 2months and getting tired of it,tried uninstall and re-install even delete it from my pc and download it again with the same result……any ideas anyone?????…..
March 1st, 2009 at 3:52 pm
mindye,
That sounds frustrating. Does the update ever work on its own? If yes, then you may just be having some bad luck with the hops between you and the AVG servers. If it never works it may that your firewall is blocking AVG from accessing the Internet.
Make sure your firewall is not blocking avgupd.exe and avgemc.exe.
Gary
March 5th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Excellent. Just upgraded to AVG 8.5 and wondered what the problem was. Now updated and working again. Thanks
March 15th, 2009 at 4:32 am
Hi Gary,
I’m having a lot of problems with AVG. It never would update to begin with,
always gave me the same ‘failed to connect to server’ error. So I checked my firewall
to make sure it wasn’t blocking the update and ran an anti-malware program, but to no avail.
I tried the method of manually installing the updates in the article, but it still doesn’t seem to update at all. I’ve already tried re-installing AVG twice, but that doesn’t do anything either.
Any ideas what might be going on here?
Thanks.
March 23rd, 2009 at 7:02 am
Hi Jamie,
With what you are experiencing I would suggest trying a different AV tool, like Avira AntiVir or avast! You can find links to the here: http://www.gara.com/free-software/catalog?CategoryID=33
Make sure you do a full scan as well just in case it’s some kind of infection that is blocking your path to the server.
March 23rd, 2009 at 11:27 am
THANKS!!
I have the 8.5 paid version of AVG but it stopped uploading. Followed your instructions and all is fine. Thanks again.
March 25th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Hey,
I really need some help.
AVG seems to be blocking my internetconnection. And I just updated my antivirus by doing the step by step. But right now i am really getting pissed because i can’t seem to get my internet back online….
Someone have a good tip for me???
March 31st, 2009 at 2:07 am
I go into the AVG program folder find a file called “update.cfg” and rename it to “.cfgold” or delete it , then let AVG do an update and it updates ok.
April 6th, 2009 at 8:25 am
Good tip, Neill!
April 16th, 2009 at 1:26 am
I tryed to update manually and when i clicked on one of the update links that came from the link that you provided on this page it repeatedly said page cannot be displayed so i cant update. ts very frusterating
April 22nd, 2009 at 12:44 am
Instructions worked great……as you had written above. Thanks..Very Helpful
May 4th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Thank you soooo much for this, it worked!!! Great stuff!
May 20th, 2009 at 9:59 am
Thanks sooooo much!
This’s very helpful and it finally works for me
July 3rd, 2009 at 10:50 am
Hi Gary,
Help!!!! My AVG is blocking be able to go to my address bar and put in an address, it goes directly to AVG search page. If I go to any www.com that is not on a search engine it says and error has occurred. I found on “AVG Anti Virus and Software - Support Overview” said to go to AVG tool bar and do and update. No update found. So I down loaded the 8.5 version, that did not help either. And trying to reach AVG or Walling or Support.com forget it. I can not get on my own website. HELP!!!!!!!
July 4th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
Wow, this really works! Thanks!