Troubleshooting website access issues caused by AVG AntiVirus

This article helps you troubleshoot website access issues on Windows that may be caused by AVG AntiVirus (AVG Internet Security, AVG AntiVirus Free). These issues may include blocked websites, browser error messages, or unusually slow page loading.

Before you begin, make sure:

• AVG AntiVirus is up to date.
• Your browser is updated to the latest version.

Scenario 1: The website is blocked by AVG as malware

AVG blocks access to the website and displays a message such as Threat secured, Infected website, or Malicious URL blocked.

If you believe the website is safe, the detection may be a false positive.

Recommended action

• Submit the website for review: Report the website as a false positive using the AVG False Positive review form. Confirmed false positives are typically resolved through automatic virus definition updates, within a few hours.
• Optionally, add the website as an exception: You can add the website URL to AVG exceptions. Only do this if you fully trust the website, as adding exceptions reduces protection.

Best practice: Submit a false positive report and wait for the automatic fix before adding an exception.

Scenario 2: The website shows a browser error, but AVG shows no alert

The website does not load and your browser displays an error (for example, This site can't be reached), but AVG shows no detection.

Step 1: Check whether AVG is involved

Temporarily disable Web Shield, then restart your browser and try to access the website again.

1. Open AVG AntiVirus and click the Web & Email tile.
2. Click the green (ON) slider for Web Shield.
3. Select a time duration and confirm.

Outcome

• If the issue persists, AVG is likely not the cause. Try an Incognito/Private window or a different browser.
• If the website works with Web Shield disabled, continue to the next step.

Step 2: Disable HTTPS scanning

1. Open AVG AntiVirus and go to ☰ Menu ▸ Settings.
2. Select Basic protection from the left panel, then click Web Shield.
3. Untick the box next to Enable HTTPS scanning to disable the feature.

Outcome

• If this resolves the issue Repair AVG AntiVirus and restart your computer.
• If not, continue to the next step.

Step 3: Disable hardware network acceleration

1. Open AVG AntiVirus and go to ☰ Menu ▸ Settings.
2. Select Basic protection from the left panel, then click Web Shield.
3. Untick the box next to Enable hardware network acceleration to disable the feature.

Outcome

• If the issue is resolved, you can leave this setting disabled. In most cases, the impact on performance is minimal.
• If the issue persists, Repair AVG AntiVirus and restart your computer.

Scenario 3: The website loads very slowly, with no error and no alert

The website eventually opens, but loading is unusually slow and AVG shows no detection.

Step 1: Check if AVG is involved

Temporarily disable Web Shield, then restart your browser and try to access the website again.

1. Open AVG AntiVirus and click the Web & Email tile.
2. Click the green (ON) slider for Web Shield.
3. Select a time duration and confirm.

Outcome

• If the issue persists, AVG is likely not the cause. Try an Incognito/Private window or a different browser.
• If the website works with Web Shield disabled, continue to the next step.

Step 2: Disable hardware network acceleration

1. Open AVG AntiVirus and go to ☰ Menu ▸ Settings.
2. Select Basic protection from the left panel, then click Web Shield.
3. Untick the box next to Enable hardware network acceleration to disable the feature.

Outcome

• If the issue is resolved, you can leave this setting disabled. In most cases, the impact on performance is minimal.
• If the issue persists, Repair AVG AntiVirus and restart your computer.

Need more help?

If the issue persists, contact AVG Support and include:

• The affected website URL.
• Browser name and version.
• AVG AntiVirus version.
• Whether Web Guard affects the issue.
• A screenshot of any error message you see.