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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchFirst find out whether Avast blocked the download website or detected the file itself. For a suspected website false positive, report the site and wait for Avast’s correction. If Avast quarantined a file, review it and submit it to Avast Threat Labs if you believe it is safe. Restore it or add an exception only when you trust the source and understand the protection you are bypassing.
Why is Avast blocking my download?
There are two different situations, and the right response depends on which one happened:
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- Website or download URL blocked: Avast displays a warning such as “Threat secured,” “Infected website,” or “Malicious URL blocked” before the file downloads.
- File detected or quarantined: The download completes, but Avast flags the file or moves it into Quarantine. Avast says active shields or scans can place suspicious files there.
If the browser only shows a download error and Avast has not displayed an alert, Avast may not be the cause. Its website troubleshooting guide includes a brief Web Guard test for Windows, described below.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsIf Avast blocked the website or download URL
Report a suspected false positive first
- Update Avast and your browser.
- If Avast still identifies a site you believe is safe as malicious, report the website through Avast’s false-positive review process.
- Wait for Avast’s correction before adding an exception. Avast says confirmed website false positives are typically corrected through automatic virus-definition updates within a few hours; this is its estimate, not a guaranteed turnaround for every report.
This is the safer first option because it asks Avast to review the site without changing the protection on your device. Avast’s advice is to submit a false-positive report and wait for the automatic fix before adding an exception.
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Use Web Guard only as a short diagnostic test
If no Avast alert appears and the browser simply reports an error, Avast suggests temporarily turning off Web Guard, restarting the browser, and repeating the action to check whether Avast is involved. Turn Web Guard back on immediately after the test. Do not treat this as a way to obtain a file Avast has warned against. If the problem continues, investigate the browser or connection instead.
If Avast detected or quarantined the file
On Windows, open Avast Antivirus → Protection → Quarantine. Check the item’s identity and source before taking action. Quarantine isolates the file; it does not establish that the file is safe.
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Avast’s Quarantine guide describes these options:
- Restore: Returns the file to your device.
- Restore and add exception: Available on Windows; restores the file and excludes it from all Avast scans and shields.
- Extract / Restore as: Restores the file to a location you choose.
Avast warns that restoring files from Quarantine poses a high security risk and says it is intended for specific situations. If you suspect a false positive, submit the item to Avast Threat Labs from Quarantine for review rather than restoring it immediately. Include the program name, publisher, version, and why you believe it should not have been detected. Avast says most submissions are processed without a response.
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Do not choose “Open anyway” for an unknown file. Avast says it does not recommend bypassing CyberCapture unless you are certain the file is safe; see its CyberCapture guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When and how to add an Avast exception
An exception changes future scanning behavior, unlike a false-positive report, which asks Avast to review a detection, or a restore action, which makes a quarantined file available again. Avast says exceptions may exclude files, folders, or websites from scans and shields, and should be used only for items you know are safe. Avoid excluding a whole folder or domain when a narrower exception would address the issue.
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Windows Avast Antivirus
- Open Menu → Settings → General → Exceptions.
- Select Add exception.
- Choose Website / Domain for a site or File / Folder for a local item, then select or enter the specific target.
A website exception applies to pages containing the same domain. For a file or folder exception, Avast lets you select a path and adjust which scanning features it applies to. See Avast’s exclusions instructions for the product-specific details.
Avast One and Mac
Do not use the Windows path if your menus differ. In Avast One, the documented flow is Menu → Preferences, select the relevant shield, then Exceptions → Add exceptions. Mac Avast Security uses Menu → Preferences and the relevant Core Shields or File Shield/Web Guard controls. Avast’s instructions are available for Avast One and Mac Core Shields. Menu labels can vary by product and version; check the product name in settings and follow the matching support instructions if your screen differs.
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Which fix should you choose?
| What happened | Best first step | What it changes |
|---|---|---|
| Avast blocked a website or download URL you believe is safe | Submit a false-positive report and wait for Avast’s review | Requests a review; does not create a local exception |
| Avast placed a file in Quarantine | Review the item and submit it to Threat Labs if you suspect a false positive | Requests a file review; restoring it makes it available on the device |
| You have independently verified a specific site or file is safe and need Avast to stop blocking it | Add a narrowly scoped exception | Excludes the chosen item from relevant Avast scanning; broad exceptions can reduce protection |
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