💡 Quick reality check: Why people want to disable Avast VPN

Most of the time folks search for “how to disable Avast VPN” because the app is getting in the way — streaming glitches, split-tunnel problems, Wi‑Fi captive portals, or they want to switch to a different VPN. Maybe Avast SecureLine auto-connects and slows your games, or you installed it to try ad-blocking and it clashes with a browser extension. Whatever the reason, you just want it off — fast and clean.

This guide walks you through practical, step-by-step ways to turn off or uninstall Avast SecureLine VPN on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, plus safe follow-up tips: how to remove TAP adapters, stop auto-start, and avoid conflicts when installing another VPN. I’ll also drop a short data snapshot comparing Avast with a couple of popular competitors so you can see why you might be switching in the first place.

If you’re in the Philippines and sick of buffering or apps not loading when Avast is enabled — read on. This is written like I’m helping a friend: no fluff, just the exact steps you need.

🔐 Service📈 Servers⚡ Speed (avg)💰 Monthly (USD)🛠️ Ease to disable
Avast SecureLine55Moderate$5.99Easy
NordVPN5,700+Fast$3.29Very easy
Surfshark3,200+Fast$2.49Very easy
Hotspot Shield1,800Above average$7.99Easy

This table highlights one obvious point: Avast SecureLine is compact and simple, but it’s not built for heavy streaming or advanced routing. Larger services like NordVPN and Surfshark offer far more servers and advanced features that can reduce conflicts with streaming platforms and captive portals. If your reason for disabling Avast is speed, geo-unlocking, or frequent app conflicts, that explains the switch.

Key takeaway: disabling Avast is often step one. Step two is picking a replacement that has the features you actually need (multi-protocol support, split-tunnel, reliable kill-switch, and local server presence).

😎 MaTitie SHOW TIME

Hi, I’m MaTitie — the author here, a man who’s tried dozens of VPNs while hunting deals and dodging annoying region locks.

If Avast SecureLine isn’t cutting it — and you care about speed for streaming or safe torrenting — I recommend NordVPN. It’s fast, stable, and the customer support is solid for users in the Philippines. If you want to try it, here’s the link I use:

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Affiliate disclosure: If you buy through that link, MaTitie might earn a small commission. Appreciate it — it helps keep guides like this free.

💡 How to disable Avast VPN on every device (step-by-step)

Below are concise, actionable steps — follow only the section for your device.

Windows (10 / 11)

  • Quick toggle: Open the Avast SecureLine app and click the big on/off switch to disconnect.
  • Tray method: Right‑click the Avast icon in the system tray → “SecureLine VPN” → “Disconnect”.
  • If auto-start keeps reconnecting: Open Avast UI → Menu → Settings → General → Troubleshooting → uncheck “Enable SecureLine at startup” or disable “Automatic connection”.
  • Remove TAP adapter (if you plan to install another VPN and run into conflicts): Settings → Network & Internet → Change adapter options → right-click “TAP‑Windows Adapter” used by Avast → Disable or Uninstall. Reboot.
  • Full uninstall: Settings → Apps → Avast SecureLine VPN → Uninstall. Follow prompts. Reboot.

macOS

  • In-app toggle: Launch Avast SecureLine → click the big disconnect button.
  • Menu bar: Click the SecureLine icon → Disconnect.
  • Prevent auto-connect: Avast > Preferences > General and disable “Launch at startup” or similar.
  • Uninstall: Use Avast uninstaller included in the app or drag the app to Trash and remove the supporting files from ~/Library/Application Support/Avast if instructed. Reboot.

Android

  • Open the Avast SecureLine app → tap the power icon to disconnect.
  • Force stop: Settings → Apps → Avast SecureLine → Force stop. If you want to prevent auto-start, disable the app’s background activity or remove auto-connect permissions.
  • Uninstall: Long-press the app icon → Uninstall, or Settings → Apps → Uninstall.

iOS (iPhone / iPad)

  • Open the Avast SecureLine app → Disconnect.
  • Remove VPN profile: Settings → General → VPN & Device Management → Tap the SecureLine profile and Remove Profile (or toggle off the connection).
  • Uninstall: Long-press app → Remove App.

Extra tips when disabling or uninstalling

  • Reboot after uninstall to clear drivers or profiles.
  • If the OS still shows a VPN connection, check for leftover TAP adapters (Windows) or VPN profiles (iOS/macOS) and remove them manually.
  • If a captive portal (hotel/coffee Wi‑Fi) won’t load, disable the VPN first — captive portals often block VPN traffic.

🛠️ Troubleshooting common problems when Avast won’t turn off

  • App won’t respond to disconnect button: Force close the app (Task Manager on Windows; swipe up on mobile) and reboot. Then check for updates or reinstall.
  • Network icon still says “VPN connected”: Look for orphaned network adapters or profiles and delete them manually.
  • Avast keeps reconnecting at boot: Open Avast settings and disable auto-start/auto-connect, then uninstall if needed.
  • Cannot access local network devices after disabling: Check firewall rules or network profiles that may require re-trusting the local network.

Why you might be disabling Avast (and what to watch for)

  • Streaming blocked: Some users turn off SecureLine because a streaming app detects the VPN or you hit a slow node. Larger providers have more unblocked IPs.
  • Conflicts with other VPNs: Two VPNs fighting for the same TAP driver can break networking; remove adapters before switching.
  • Privacy concerns with smaller/free VPNs: Recent reporting warns that some free VPN apps behave badly — including sending data or taking screenshots of visited pages — so pick a reputable provider. See reporting on risky free VPNs and apps that capture screenshots for context [01net, 2025-08-26] and warnings about privacy-invasive free services [PCWorld, 2025-08-26].

🙋 Frequently Asked Questions

How do I temporarily disable SecureLine without uninstalling?

💬 Open the Avast SecureLine app and tap the big disconnect/power button. On Windows you can also right-click the system tray icon and choose “Disconnect”. If SecureLine auto-reconnects, disable auto-start inside Avast settings.

🛠️ My PC still shows a VPN even after uninstall — what now?

💬 Check Network & Internet > Change adapter options for leftover TAP adapters and delete them. Reboot. On macOS/iOS, remove leftover VPN profiles in System Preferences/Settings.

🧠 Is it safer to switch to a paid VPN after removing Avast SecureLine?

💬 Generally yes — reputable paid VPNs offer better server distribution, stronger protocols, and clearer logging policies. If privacy and streaming are the reason you’re switching, consider providers with audited logs and big server networks. For example, Surfshark combos and promos are being widely discussed in tech coverage for value and features [Tom’s HW, 2025-08-26].

🧩 Final Thoughts…

If Avast SecureLine is getting in the way, disabling it is usually quick — the trick is removing leftover adapters or profiles so a new VPN can install cleanly. For most users in the Philippines who want stable streaming or gaming, migrating to a bigger provider often solves repeated reconnects and geo-issues. Always reboot after major changes and double-check VPN profiles in your OS settings.

📚 Further Reading

Here are three recent articles that give more context to VPN safety, streaming and alternatives — all from verified sources. Feel free to explore 👇

🔸 How to watch ‘Ruby Red Handed: Stealing America’s Most Famous Pair of Shoes’ – stream true crime doc from anywhere
🗞️ Source: Tom’s Guide – 📅 2025-08-26
🔗 Read Article

🔸 Arvostelussa Hotspot Shield VPN
🗞️ Source: TechRadar Global – 📅 2025-08-26
🔗 Read Article

🔸 Porno : les VPN pourraient à leur tour être contraints de vérifier l’âge de leurs utilisateurs au Royaume-Uni
🗞️ Source: MacG – 📅 2025-08-26
🔗 Read Article

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📌 Disclaimer

This post blends hands-on steps with curated reporting and a touch of AI assistance. It’s meant to be practical and helpful, not legal advice. Double-check your device settings, and if something feels off, contact Avast support or the VPN you plan to install. If any link or step here is outdated, ping us and we’ll fix it — thanks for reading.