For Support Please Visit: 👉 https://surfshark.com/support

 

Surfshark is a well-known name in the world of cybersecurity, offering a combination of VPN, antivirus, and other privacy protection features. While Surfshark’s antivirus service is typically reliable, users may occasionally face issues where the antivirus isn’t working as expected. If you’re experiencing problems with Surfshark antivirus not working, don’t worry—this guide will walk you through troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue.

Common Reasons Why Surfshark Antivirus Might Not Be Working

There are several reasons why Surfshark’s antivirus functionality might not be performing properly. Here are some of the most common issues:

  1. Outdated Software: If your Surfshark antivirus is not updated, it may lead to compatibility problems or failure to detect new threats.
  2. Conflicting Software: Other antivirus or firewall programs might be conflicting with Surfshark, causing it to malfunction.
  3. Internet Connection Issues: A poor or unstable internet connection may impact the antivirus’s ability to work properly, as it requires constant communication with Surfshark’s servers for threat updates.
  4. Incorrect Settings: Sometimes, incorrect configuration or settings in the Surfshark antivirus application might prevent it from working as intended.
  5. System Resource Conflicts: High CPU or memory usage could cause performance issues, affecting the antivirus features.
  6. Server-Specific Issues: The antivirus might not be working due to server-related issues, such as failure to update virus definitions or database problems.

How to Fix Surfshark Antivirus Not Working

1. Update Surfshark Antivirus

Keeping your antivirus software updated is crucial to ensuring that it functions properly and detects the latest threats. Here’s how to update Surfshark’s antivirus feature:

  • Check for Updates: Open the Surfshark app on your device. Navigate to the settings or help section, where you should find an option to check for software updates.
  • Update Surfshark: If an update is available, follow the prompts to update the Surfshark antivirus. The latest version may resolve bugs and improve performance.

Updating your antivirus software ensures that you have the most recent threat definitions and software improvements.

2. Disable Conflicting Antivirus Software

Sometimes, having multiple antivirus or firewall programs on your device can cause conflicts that prevent Surfshark’s antivirus from working properly. To resolve this:

  • Temporarily Disable Other Antivirus Programs: If you have another antivirus program installed, disable it temporarily and check if Surfshark’s antivirus starts working.
  • Allow Surfshark Through Firewall: Ensure that your firewall isn’t blocking Surfshark from accessing the necessary servers. Add Surfshark to the firewall’s exception list.

Remember, running more than one antivirus can often cause conflicts, so it’s a good idea to only use Surfshark’s antivirus protection for optimal performance.

3. Check Your Internet Connection

Since Surfshark’s antivirus requires communication with its servers to stay updated and functional, a weak or unstable internet connection may cause it to malfunction.

  • Check Connection Stability: Ensure that your internet connection is stable. Try browsing the web or running a speed test to verify your connection speed.
  • Restart Your Router: If your internet connection is unstable, restarting your router may help restore a stable connection.
  • Switch to a Wired Connection: If possible, switch from Wi-Fi to a wired connection to improve internet reliability.

A strong and stable connection ensures Surfshark can properly update its antivirus definitions and provide real-time protection.

4. Restart Your Device

Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve issues with software that’s not functioning correctly. Try restarting your device to refresh system resources and clear any temporary glitches.

  • Reboot Your Device: Close all running applications and restart your computer or mobile device. This can fix minor software issues, including those affecting Surfshark’s antivirus functionality.

After restarting, open Surfshark again and check if the antivirus is working properly.

5. Reinstall Surfshark Antivirus

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, reinstalling Surfshark can help fix corrupted files or settings that may be affecting the antivirus.

  • Uninstall Surfshark: Go to your device’s settings and uninstall Surfshark completely.
  • Reinstall Surfshark: Download the latest version of Surfshark from the official website and install it again.
  • Set Up Antivirus: During installation, make sure to enable the antivirus feature and configure it according to your preferences.

Reinstalling the software ensures that you have a clean and functional version of Surfshark antivirus.

6. Clear Cache and Data

Clearing the cache and data from the Surfshark app can help fix issues with corrupted settings or files.

  • Clear Cache (Android and iOS): On mobile devices, go to the app settings, find Surfshark, and clear the cache and data.
  • Clear App Data (Windows and Mac): On desktop devices, navigate to the Surfshark installation folder and delete temporary files.

This can help reset the app and restore the antivirus functionality.

7. Check System Resources

If your system is running low on resources, it might affect the functioning of Surfshark’s antivirus. High CPU or memory usage can cause slowdowns and malfunctioning features.

  • Monitor System Resources: Open the Task Manager on Windows (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) or the Activity Monitor on macOS. Check if any processes are using excessive CPU or memory.
  • Close Unnecessary Applications: If you notice any applications using a high amount of resources, close them to free up system capacity for Surfshark.

Ensure your system has sufficient resources to run Surfshark alongside other applications.

8. Contact Surfshark Support

If you’ve tried all of the above steps and Surfshark antivirus is still not working, it may be time to contact Surfshark customer support.

  • Visit the Support Page: Go to the official Surfshark support page, where you can find troubleshooting guides or live chat assistance.
  • Provide Detailed Information: When contacting support, provide as much detail as possible, including the device you’re using, error messages, and the steps you’ve already tried.

Surfshark’s support team can provide more advanced troubleshooting steps and help resolve any ongoing issues.

Conclusion

When Surfshark antivirus is not working, it’s usually a fixable issue, and most problems can be resolved by following these troubleshooting steps. Start with basic checks like ensuring your software is up to date, checking your internet connection, and disabling conflicting software. If the issue persists, consider reinstalling the software or reaching out to Surfshark support for more help.