Home Support

AVG Support Community

Share tips and solutions on AVG Products

Have a question?

Community topics

AVG Gurus

These community experts are here to help

  • (AB) Alan Binch
  • (BA) Borislav Angelov
  • (VB) Vladimir Bartl
  • (SK) Subhadeep Kanungo
  • (MS) Miloslav Serba
David DickinsonDavid Dickinson 

Uninstall AVG AntiVirus for Mac issue

Was trying to install AVG for my Mac. It didn't install right. Pulled the icon from my Applications folder to my Trash to uninstall. Tried re-installing AVG, and now it says I have to uninstall AVG before reinstalling. I already did uninstall. How do I get rid of any residual files so I can reinstall AVG?

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9xD9bwkZwwObWI5ZWFMR0dSc0U
Best Answer chosen by David Dickinson
Dayne WrightDayne Wright
Another option if you are comfortable using your terminal is to run these two commands:

cd /Library/Application\ Support/
(this will change you to the Application Support folder)
sudo rm -rf AVGAntivirus
(this will remove the AVGAnitvirus folder and all subfolders)
 

All Answers

-980888528-980888528 (Avast)
David,
We are sorry to hear about the inconvenience caused. We request you to uninstall your AVG program as suggested here: http://support.avg.com/SupportArticleView?urlname=How-to-uninstall-AVG-AntiVirus-for-Mac and then proceed with the re-installation http://support.avg.com/SupportArticleView?urlname=How-to-download-and-install-AVG-AntiVirus-for-Mac of AVG on your Mac device. Please, feel free to let us know if you require any further assistance. Thank you.
David DickinsonDavid Dickinson

Okay, 2 issues with this response:
"This article outlines how to uninstall AVG AntiVirus for Mac. Please do not uninstall AVG AntiVirus by dragging its icon into Trash, as this will not uninstall the application correctly."

Yes, I understand that now, which is why I'm here in the first place.

"In such case, please install AVG AntiVirus again (as outlined here), and then follow the instructions below to uninstall the application."

As explained in my initial post, I can't install the application again because it will not let me! It says it is already installed and that I need to uninstall it. Before I got your "resolution", I had already moved the icon into the Trash to "uninstall" which did not work. Which is why I'm here.

Any other suggestions?

By the way, both of those links supposedly show pics through the process, but all the images are replaced with "no image available".

AvinashAvinash (Avast) 
David,
You could try to restore AVG from trash to the original location and then try the suggested steps to uninstall AVG.
David DickinsonDavid Dickinson
I had already permanently deleted it from Trash because I thought that was the problem the Mac was seeing as it still being installed. So I deleted every trace I could find. Please tell me you have a better solution to get rid of trace evidence. I've been using this program on all my Windows computers with nearly no issues. Once I try to put it on my Mac, it doesn't install or Uninstall! Crazy.
-980156917-980156917 (Avast)
Hello David,
We sincerely apologize for the difficulties you are currently experiencing.
Please try to reinstall AVG once and it the issue persists, follow the below instructions.
To collect mac AVG log files:
Click Finder icon in DOCK.
Select “GO” option from the menu bar and select “Library” option from dropdown list.
After getting into Library location, we should be able to see the logs.
System logs: /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports
User logs: ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports
AVG System logs: /Library/Logs/com.avg.Antivirus
AVG User logs: ~/Library/Logs/com.avg.Antivirus
Alternative option:
Go to “Go > Go to Folder…” (Shift+cmd+G) option
Thank you.
David DickinsonDavid Dickinson
Hi Joyson,

I tried to reinstall the program and got the same error. I took a screen shot. I duplicated the files you had me go to and uploaded them to Google Drive. Here are the files:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9xD9bwkZwwOSVBGR2NRdHl3UU0

System logs: /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports
User logs: ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports
AVG System logs: /Library/Logs/com.avg.Antivirus
"Folder not found"
AVG User logs: ~/Library/Logs/com.avg.Antivirus
"Folder not found"
Balasubramanian SBalasubramanian S (Avast) 
We appreciate your efforts in this matter, David.
We have escalated the case to our senior technical team.
It will take around 3 to 6 business days for them to reply.
Please keep checking both the email and this post for getting the update.
Your patience is much appreciated.
-980888528-980888528 (Avast)
David,

Thank you for your time, your patience is much appreciated.

We request you to follow the below steps to uninstall your AVG without any issue.

Open Finder > Applications > right click on AVG AntiVirus.app > select Show package contents > open Contents folder > double click on Uninstaller.app.

Please, feel free to let us know if you require any further assistance. Thank you.
David DickinsonDavid Dickinson
I feel like I'm having to repeat myself several times. PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE THREAD!
David DickinsonDavid Dickinson
I do not have the AVG AntiVirus app in the applications folder because I removed it thinking that would uninstall it. It is not in the Trash because I permanently removed it thinking this was the problem it was still telling me it was installed. And now once again, you are giving me instructions to uninstall from the Applications folder where it DOESN'T EXIST!User-added image
David DickinsonDavid Dickinson
Before you tell me to reinstall the software to uninstall it, because I already went through that unhelpful solution, that is the orginal problem. The software will not install because it says I already have it installed, which I don't, and to remove it first, which I can't. SO, I need help removing residual files that make it THINK it is still installed. Are you capable of doing that? If not, get me someone who can. Thank you.
David DickinsonDavid Dickinson
Did you guys give up on me??? I reinstalled the OS and tried installing the AVG again. It is giving me the exact same problem with a new install of the OS. I NEED HELP!
Sean LangleySean Langley
I have exactly this same issue, fresh install of OSX Sierra, installed AVG Mac. The App will not run at all, I can't uninstall because the app won't run, I can't reinstall because the app is already installed. I am looking for a reason to have faith in AVG
Alan BinchAlan Binch
User Sean Langley has their own topic (https://support.avg.com/answers?id=906b0000000DfwfAAC).
AVG Guru
David DickinsonDavid Dickinson
Hopefully they can answer Sean's question because it appears they have given up on me. Getting the run around with no helpful solution. I've followed his link. Thanks!
Paul MPaul M
I'm having the same exact issue. I am less than impressed by the lack of attention to detail of the support staff (the ones who did not read the post fully, and suggested things that are impossible for you to perform). While we know these are difficult issues that the initial support team is not able to resolve (I guarantee this is a bug in the software that the Software Engineers need to fix), the least we can hope for as customers is that they carefully read AND document the issue, so we as customers don't have to reiterate things over and over and over and over again.
Paul MPaul M
@Ranjani Bakthavachalam 
I tried your suggestion and can confirm that there is no Uninstaller.app at that location.
Alan BinchAlan Binch
User Paul M has posted their own topic (https://support.avg.com/answers?id=906b0000000DhHEAA0).
AVG Guru
David DickinsonDavid Dickinson
Alan, Thanks for posting links of users having the same issues. To date I have not seen anyone resolve this issue. It appears they have given up on my frustration, or haven't figured out how to resolve it and ignoring me until they do. It would be good customer service to at least let us know they are working on it. I can accept an answer of "we are working to resolve this issue, we will let you know as soon as we have a fix". But no, I'm getting a cold shoulder. NOT good customer service to a customer who has had this product for several years now.

Anyway, Thanks again for keeping me informed of others having the same issue.
Nicola SNicola S
I have exactly the same problem as David Dickinson. I've been through all the options suggested above and none of them work. I have searched Library for AVG files but found none and forced quit the avg process which was running. A new copy of AVG will not install because 'an old one is running' and I can't install a competitors product because the AVG fragments prevent that too.
Please AVG find a solution and give me a reason to actually buy your products!
Mohammad LMohammad L

Hey guys! I had the same problem as well and I've found the solution. Follow the instructions in the link below and it works for the 2017 version as well.

You basically need to remove the residual files related to AVG securities which is located in the preference, application support, cache files and elsewhere in the library section. You can ignore Step 1 in the link I think. Just search through all the files and anything that has avg in it, drag and drop it all in the trash bin. It may ask you to re-put your password in to this for some files but after you've dragged it all in the trash bin, empty the whole bin. This should work. 

Whatever you do, do not install the macremover application. Just do everything manually. 

https://macremover.com/uninstallguides/2016/02/22/how-to-thoroughly-uninstall-avg-2016-on-mac-os-x/

charlie bluecharlie blue
Hi all! After months of searching for a solution to this problem, I have found one that actually works. Just run the following command

  /Library/Application\ Support/AVGAntivirus/components/uninstall/com.avg.uninstall.app/Contents/MacOS/com.avg.uninstall

It should fix the problem.
Dayne WrightDayne Wright
Also...  MAKE SURE you are in the right folder before running sudo rm -rf :)   You are telling it to delete everything with force in the folder that you list.
Dayne WrightDayne Wright
Another option if you are comfortable using your terminal is to run these two commands:

cd /Library/Application\ Support/
(this will change you to the Application Support folder)
sudo rm -rf AVGAntivirus
(this will remove the AVGAnitvirus folder and all subfolders)
 
This was selected as the best answer
Evan ReddEvan Redd
Dayne, 

Your post helped me solve the issue, so David learn to navigate terminal and use Dayne's commands and you should have success!

Thanks, 
Evan
Kevin ArmstrongKevin Armstrong
Thyanks Dayne.

This appeared to work, but now after reinstalling AVG it doesnt load up when you click on the icon. Any ideas??

Cheers Kevi
Alok KumarAlok Kumar (Avast)
Hello Kevin,
We will help you sort it out. Please open Launchpad > look for AVG icon and try to open your AVG program.
If it's not working, please click here > scroll down and follow "Further recommendations" instruction to remove all the AVG traces from your mac computer.
After that, you can follow the instruction to download/install AVG Antivirus for your Mac computer.
Regards,
Alok.
Kevin ArmstrongKevin Armstrong
Hi Alok,
Yes tried this already and when running the comand i get "No such file or directory". I then tried Daynes appraoch as above which allowed me to reinstall but it wont open when I click the icon.....what next?
Kevin ArmstrongKevin Armstrong
Thats is just the point Alok...when I click on the icon nothing happens?
 
Kevin ArmstrongKevin Armstrong
When I lookm at the contents of the app the exec file is not showing as the AVG icon like AVG cleaner. When I run it i get tan error saying to exit??
-980888528-980888528 (Avast)
Hello Kevin, 

We appreciate your efforts in trying to fix the issue. Let us know your Mac and AVG version to check with it. 

Provide us the screenshot of that error message you received. 
Kevin ArmstrongKevin Armstrong
Avg is 18.6, mac is 10.13.6 and below is the error.
User-added image
Kevin ArmstrongKevin Armstrong
Avg is 18.6, mac is 10.13.6 and below is the error.
This image is not available because: You don’t have the privileges to see it, or it has been removed from the system
Kevin ArmstrongKevin Armstrong
error message.User-added image
Kevin ArmstrongKevin Armstrong
Hi Ranjani,

AVG version is 18.6. Here is the Mac info User-added image

AvinashAvinash (Avast) 
Kevin, thank you for providing the screenshots.

You mentioned that you were able to re install AVG but the icon is not launching the app. But your screenshots show that the installation process fails. Please clarify if it is with the installation or post installation that you are experiencing issue with.
Kevin ArmstrongKevin Armstrong
Sorry for the delay in response as Ive been away. The icon would not launch so i ran the uninstall terminal options above and now get the following error when re-installing.
KarthikeyanKarthikeyan (Foundever) 
Thank you for the information.

It seems that the older traces of AVG are still present on your computer.

Please open "Finder" on your computer and search for AVG files.

If there is any, remove the same and then install the latest version of AVG AntiVirus on your Mac computer.

If you face any difficulties, please let us know and we will assist you further.
David DickinsonDavid Dickinson
Dayne,

Thank you!! It solved my issue perfectly!

Dave D.
John JamesJohn James
Kevin, thank you for giving the screen captures.

You referenced that you had the option (https://specialremovals.co.uk) to re introduce AVG however the symbol isn't sending off the application. In any case, your screen captures show that the establishment cycle comes up short. If it's not too much trouble, explain assuming it is with the establishment or post establishment that you are encountering issue with.
Aarthy AsokanAarthy Asokan (Avast)
Hi John,
We appreciate your information. We'd like to clarify this for you. If you have any concerns regarding AVG, please write back to us in a separate private message so that we can check and assist you accordingly. Thank you in advance!
Ask a question
Struggling with non-AVG technology? We can fix that, too!