Encountered Avast Update Helper error 1316 on your Windows 10? Well, you are not alone then. It’s been some time that the Avast antivirus users are complaining about error 1316 visible in Windows event viewer logs. If you also find the same error while checking the event viewer log on your Windows computer, then this article is for you. Here we have prepared a complete guide on how to fix the Avast Update helper error 1316. Have a look now and resolve the problem right away.
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What Causes the Avast Update Helper Error 1316?
The typical error message reads as follow,
“Avast update helper – error 1316. The specified account already exists”
The error 1316 does not directly appear in the Avast antivirus engine. Thus, you can find the error only when you check your event viewer logs. The problem with the error is that it directly impacts the Avast Update Helper.
There can be two situations where you are facing this problem. Error 1316 shows up right after a failed application update or after machine loading interruption for some users. In that case, the error pops up because of some corruption issue. On the other hand, the error message might be there because of software conflicts. Users having the Nvidia ShadowPlay and Avast Security Browser installed mostly face this problem.
How to Fix Avast Update Helper Error 1316?
Depending on the nature of the error you are facing, you might need to try one or even multiple solutions. For example, if the error you are facing is because of the outdated version of the antivirus program, then updating it to its latest version will resolve the problem. Otherwise, if there is an issue within the registry entry, then you can fix that too with the built-in repair feature of Avast.
Method 1: Update Avast to Its Latest Version
If we can think back straight to 2018, there was a phase when a lot of Avast users were finding the Avast Update Helper Error 1316. Later Avast released its major update that actually increased the CPU usage of the Avast antivirus programs. At that moment, too, many users complained, saying whenever the CPU usage went up, the event viewer logs get bombarded with error 1316 messages.
However, if you are also facing the problem, then update your Avast Antivirus to its latest version. Follow the steps below to get the job done,
Step 1: Firstly, launch the Avast antivirus program from your computer
Step 2: Then click on Menu, and right from the context menu, select ‘Settings‘
Step 3: After opening Settings, click on the General tab there and then select Update from there
Step 4: Now, click on the Check for Updates tab and wait until the update process completes. Depending on the availability of the latest version, it will be downloaded and installed automatically.
Step 5: Once the updating is done, open Event Viewer from your PC and check if the error 1316 comes back or not.
Method 2: Use the built-in Repair Feature
Are you finding the Avast update helper error 1316 right after some unprecedented machine interruption or a failed application update? Or, were there any hiccups that you have faced while installing the antivirus for the first time or installing the updates? If yes, then the problem you are experiencing can be because of a corrupted installation.
The built-in repair feature on your Avast security software may help in that case.
Follow the simple steps below to use the built-in repair feature on Avast,
Step 1: At first, launch the Avast security software on your computer
Step 2: Then click on the Action Menu at the top-right corner of the window
Step 3: Now, from the context menu, select Settings
Step 4: Next, click on the General tab under the Settings menu and select Troubleshooting from the sub-menu items
Step 5: Under the Troubleshooting tab, scroll down and locate the option ‘Still having problems?’
Step 6: Now, under the Still having problems section, find and click on the option Repair app
Step 7: Click Yes on the confirmation prompt once the initial scan is done
Step 8: From all the potential issues, the best way to fix the problem is to resolve all the errors. Thus, click on the Resolve all button
Step 9: Finally, as the process completes, restart your computer and launch the event viewer to check if the problem comes back
If none of the above two resolutions seem to work to fix the Avast update healer error 1316 on your PC, then the problem might be happening because of compatibility issues. In that case, identifying the problem-causing applications and uninstalling them is the best option you have.
Method 3: Uninstall the Avast Secure Browser
For many users, the problem arises because of the compatibility issues associated with the Avast Secure browser on their PC. If you also have the application installed, consider uninstalling it. Follow the simple steps that we have discussed below,
Step 1: Firstly, open the Control Panel from your Windows PC
Step 2: Now, from the Control Panel window, click on the ‘uninstall a program’ button under the Programs tab
Step 3: Then, from the list of applications, locate the Avast Secure browser
Step 4: Finally, upon finding the application, right-click on it and select Uninstall
Once you uninstall the program, the problem must be resolved if the Avast Secure browser was the reason you were having the Avast update helper error 1316.
If the problem persists, you must move to our next solution.
Method 4: Uninstall ShadowPlay (or Similar Applications)
If you are a gamer, you may already know what ShadowPlay is and how it works. However, often regular gamers face this Avast update error because of the software conflict. The problem happens because when you launch ShadowPlay from your PC, it often doesn’t release the registry key while shutting down, which is what leads to certain compatibility issues. If you have any of these types of applications installed on your PC that raise similar concerns, then this problem is just inevitable. Thus, locating the particular app and uninstalling it is the right option.
However, for a lot of Avast users, the uninstallation of ShadowPlay has fixed the problem. So, let’s try that out first.
Step 1: At first, open the Windows Run dialog box by pressing the Windows Logo Key + R on your keyboard
Step 2: Now, on the search field, type in ‘appwiz.cpl’ and click on OK or hit the Enter button
Step 3: Now, as the Programs and Features windows loads on your computer, locate the ShadowPlay on the list
Step 4: Next, right-click on the app and select Uninstall
Step 5: As the confirmation screen pops up, select Yes
Step 6: Finally, as the uninstallation is done and restart your computer and the problem must not come back
That’s all. I hope you find the article useful. Try all the resolutions that we have mentioned here one by one. Once you apply the solution, the Avast update helper error 1316 will not come back. Tell us in the comment which solution did work for you.
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