Why is the security program showing an update failed error?

Everyone needs good security for their devices. Gadgets like PCs, laptops, and smartphones have become a necessity for everyone. Security applications such as antivirus, browser security tools, firewalls, etc help to keep the device secured from all dangers. Antivirus is an essential application for your device. It detects and removes all threats from your device. Your antivirus will only work well if it is running on the latest update. Antivirus update comes with new virus charts that help the antivirus identify new threats. Your antivirus won’t run correctly if the update is failing. 

Common reasons behind security app update failed error

1. Your internet connection is unstable
2. The update process met a runtime error
3. The program subscription has expired
4. Junk is interrupting the update process
5. Some program files are missing
6. Your OS is not updated
7. Another program is interrupting the antivirus update process
8. Some registry files are missing
9. You are using multiple security apps

Resolving security app updated failed error

Check your internet connection

The most common reason behind update failure is unstable internet. If your antivirus is not updating then check for the internet connection. Try to search for something on the internet. If the internet speed is poor or the connection is unable then connect the device to another network. You must connect the device to a smooth and secure network to update the antivirus. Wait until you find a stable internet connection and then try to update your antivirus.

Restart your computer

Many times, update errors appear due to any runtime error. If the device meets a runtime error then you should restart it. Close the antivirus update tab and all other apps on your device. Click on the Start menu and tap on Restart. Wait to restart the device and now open the Apps folder. Click on your antivirus and select the Update button. The new update will start installing on your device.

Check for the subscription

If your antivirus is not updating then check for its subscription. 

Your program can show errors when the subscription expires. If you have a premium antivirus on the device then check for its license. Login to your account and open the Profile page. Click on subscription and check for the subscription status. If it shows “Expired” status then click on the “Renew Now” button. Provide the personal and billing details and renew your antivirus. After renewal, check for your antivirus update. Some security programs have an auto-renewal service. It renews the program subscription before the expiry date. If you don’t want to renew the program then you must disable the auto-renewal function. 

How to cancel Norton auto renewal?

1. Open the web browser and visit Norton’s website
2. Click on Login and provide your login details
3. Open the subscription tab and click on your active plan
4. Hit the Cancel button and choose Confirm option

Your auto-renewal service will be disabled and now you can see the days left on your subscription. You can use your antivirus until you have the subscription. 

Also, Read – cancel norton subscription

Clear junk from the PC

Many times, system junk files interrupt the Update process. If your antivirus update is showing “Failed” status then check the junk on your device. Go to the computer and check for all the junk. Start checking the temp files on the device. Open the temp files folder and select all files. Now select Delete and close the folder. Again, try to update your antivirus. If your antivirus program is still not updating then check for other junk. Check unnecessary files on the device. If you can’t find junk on the device manually then use a junk cleaner tool. Windows devices provide an inbuilt tool that can find all junk on the device. Open the Run bar and type cleanmgr. Run the tool on your device and it will inspect all files on the device. You will get a list of junk on the screen. Choose the junk and select the Delete button. Restart the device after clearing the junk and then try to update your antivirus.

Reinstall your application

Update errors can also occur if some of the program files are corrupted or missing. Sometimes the user deletes crucial program files mistakenly. You have to fix the program files to run or update the program. But finding the corrupted files and fixing them is difficult. You should reinstall your program on the device. Make sure you have the activation key of your program. Remove your corrupted antivirus setup and delete all the related files. Now restart the device and install the updated setup on your device. After installing, open your antivirus and run a full system scan. 

Check for the OS updates

Your apps can show updating issues if the OS is outdated. Updating the OS is necessary to run all the apps reliably on the device. You should check for the OS update on your device. Open the Update & Security folder and click on Check for Updated option. Wait until a new update installs on your device. Now restart your computer to apply new OS updates. Go to the Apps folder and search for your antivirus from the installed applications list. Hit the Update button and now install a new antivirus update on your device.

Remove the conflicting application from the device

Update issues on your antivirus can occur due to other applications. If your antivirus is not updating then check for any suspicious apps on your device. Start checking from the recently installed apps. People often install free apps on their devices. Many free apps carry malware like adware and viruses. These suspicious applications can interrupt the updates and other changes to the security program. You should never install suspicious applications on your device. Go to your device and open your Apps folder. Check the installed programs list and remove all suspicious apps from the device. Restart the computer and now update your antivirus.

Fix the registry files

Registry files are necessary to find the correct path. If the registry files are not working, your antivirus will show certain issues. Go to your device and run the regedit function. A registry editor window will appear on the screen. Select the antivirus-related files and create a backup key. Now repair the registry files on your device. After repairing the files, restart your device and try to update your antivirus.

Use a single security program on the device

Your antivirus application can get update issues if you have another security program on the device. Using multiple antivirus programs won’t increase security but can cause conflict. When malware appears, both security programs try to get the same resources and face conflict issues. You should only use a single security program on the device. Go to the Apps folder and check for all antivirus programs. If you have multiple applications (even expired plans) then remove others. Delete all the related files and restart the PC. Now reopen your antivirus program and run a new update.