So I've just spent a good hour on the phone to the AVG technical support team who started with the whole unplug it, turn it off method. Then they logged in remotely and tried to blame all the problems on other areas of my pc even though I read some of the quotes from this page explaining that AVG know about this problem and it's only ever happened since the Windows 10 update… they did then offer to fix it for the princely sum of £99.99!
I'm using a paid version of AVG as I run a small home business and cannot afford for my pc to be out of use.
Disgraceful!
Hello Celeste,
We regret for the inconvenience caused. We kindly request you to run the repair again. Once after you logged in into your desktop we request you to get connected with our technical support team using the email we have sent to your registered email address. Please follow those instructions to get in touch with them and you should be able to resolve your issue.
Please feel free to get back to us for further assistance.
Thank you.
i am running into the same issue, past month. one machine in particular, but sometimes multiple.
AVG WATCHDOG, black screen, at startup, gets started and initializes,but freezes at the black screen.
searched google, seems WATCHDOG iss a service; I DISABLED that service (now starts manually only), and that seems to have fixed this.
WHAT is watchdog, WHAT does it do, IS it neccessary?
the latest version of AVG seems to have more bloat than prior, I have been a paid multi-user license for many years, but this is geting frustrating.
thanks
I'm assuming my issue is still escalated at the moment?
I'm having the same issues as Celeste. I don't know why the latest updates to AVG Internet Security and Windows 10 seem to cause them to no longer play nicely, but it's becoming increasingly frustrating. I've done all of the things you've suggested for Celeste and Chuck, and I continued to get hung up on Watchdog Phase 1 during bootup. At this point I've just uninstalled and I'm hoping for the best until something changes or gets fixed via an update, a workaround, or just giving us the ability to block WatchDog completely.
I use AVG to scan on my terms. Like I used to years ago before you started adding things from column A and B to the mix. I don't need it up in my system running 10+ things in the background. It's become horribly bloated, in my view. It's insane.
Carrie,
We do understand how difficult this is for you, we appreciate your efforts. We would suggest you to perform a windows update. Once your windows are up to date, you can download and install your latest version of AVG from our official site http://www.avg.com/us-en/download. Thank you!
Guess this is hitting lots of people. For the non-technical amongst us, it is a nightmare.
Su
I am having trouble with the same issue. I have uninstalled AVG and had the comuter work fine. As soon as it updated after the reinstall it went right back to the same problem. I unistalled a second time, and installed the free anti-virus hoping the cut down version would not have the problem and it is back again. It is a Dell computer running windows 10, AVG Internet security. Both Windows and AVG updated within 24 hours of each other on this computer. Please get this straightend out.
I am POed. I have three computers. My wife's computer has developed the "starting initization Watch Dog initizaltion… Phase 1 completed" problem. It is has been rendered a useless electronic box. I am very very very unhappy with AVG. This appears to be a problem caused by AVG latest update and AVG is not offering a fix for the problem.
All I see from AVG is the "try this…" solution and that is poor to say the least. Since the computer will not boot, I cannot even uninstall the buggy AVG software.
After about 10 restarts by holding in the power button i managed to get to system restore.
I picked a date before the last windows update and PC booted normaly. I removed AVG and PC now performs correctly. I am not going to use AVG. Sucks because i already paid them.
Hello Kishore,
i also have the watchdog problem. I have a Dell Windows 10 desktop and the free version of AVG please send me instructions to get rid of this crazy problem. I need to use my computer.
Hello Celeste,
We regret for the inconvenience caused. We kindly request you to run the repair again. Once after you logged in into your desktop we request you to get connected with our technical support team using the email we have sent to your registered email address. Please follow those instructions to get in touch with them and you should be able to resolve your issue.
Please feel free to get back to us for further assistance.
Thank you.
A couple of days ago, my PC did AVG updates and I was asked to restart my PC. When I restart the PC it takes longer than normal to load then starts with a black screen with text reading "Starting Watchdog Initialization" and goes on through Phase 0 all the way til it gets to Phase 1 : finished and just sits there forever. I've left it sitting for over an hour. I followed the instructions to disable and remove AVG from startup by using the rescue CD (renaming the .sys files to .old, as well as the AVG directory) but it still comes back and refuses to boot (windows can't find an driver (avgboot…sys). So I had to use a Dell startup CD to repair the startup to get back into Windows 10. Once I did that I removed AVG, and made sure everything was running smoothly, even scanned for viruses with several other virus scanners but found none. I then re-downloaded AVG Internet Security Pro again, and re-installed. All goes well until I restart again and end up with the same exact problem… stuck at Phase 1 : finished. I swear this program is almost worse than a virus, at least a virus would let you IN WINDOWS for the most part.
When using the Remove AVG system to remove all AVG products found on my computer, it found my Internet Security and also AVG Web Tuneup and nit AVG PC Tuneup. This may explain why I have not had a proper version of the PC Tuneup programe. On a side note, once AVG was removed from my system, I was able to log onto my computer and to finish the Windows updating which was being hung up by AVG.
Interesting that you mention the PC Tuneup deal lol. It has not worked correctly yet. It has never functioned as if it was a full version. It is stuck on the one time tune up and prompt to update to the full bversion. few months ago, after a few attemps of contacting support and getting nothing but canned respounces, I gave up and have not planned on renewing it at the next re-up of our subscription. I have mentioned AVG to many friends and family along the way as I have had very good results with you in the past. Over the past few months though, it seems that AVG have lost a bit of focus, especially when it comes to us who have been using AVG for a while.
I don't know if this, current, issue is Microsoft or AVG based. It feels a good bit as though it is a bit of both of you. Microsoft for forcing updates on us, at their whim, and AVG passing along canned respounces as if they will help someone. I don't know anything about Avast but they picked a great time to get twisted up into all of this.
I am going to attempt the steps for a recovery disk just in case it may work. Currently, my computer and the work and fun that it produces is being held hostage by this mess. If these steps will free it, then it is worth a try. The results of others before me do not give me much hope of a positive outcome.
Hello Nick,
You can find answer to your question together with your own post here https://support.avg.com/answers?id=906b0000000DPV9 .
Please try keep whole conversation in one question/thread to speed up resolution. Thank you.
i am running into the same issue, past month. one machine in particular, but sometimes multiple.
AVG WATCHDOG, black screen, at startup, gets started and initializes,but freezes at the black screen.
searched google, seems WATCHDOG iss a service; I DISABLED that service (now starts manually only), and that seems to have fixed this.
WHAT is watchdog, WHAT does it do, IS it neccessary?
the latest version of AVG seems to have more bloat than prior, I have been a paid multi-user license for many years, but this is geting frustrating.
thanks
Hello Sarah,
We are sorry to know that. However, to assist you better, could you please let us know the exact problem you are facing?
Thank you
Add another to the list who has the issue that Celeste is dealing with. Windows did an update today, September 30 2016. After the restart to finish the update, everything stops with the Starting Watchdog Initialization" and goes on through Phase 0 all the way til it gets to Phase 1 : finished and then just sits there. I was able to do a system restore and made it back to an usable computer. I then tried the update again and ended up with the same results. So, what gives? Is AVG failing to provide a workable update, as the Windows fan boys are saying, or is Windows screwing over AVG as they are doing with the rest of us with these constant forced updates? Waiting for another system restore to complete and hoping to be able to use the computer again…
Hello Chuck,
We regret for the inconvenience caused. We have already escalated this issue to our senior team and they are working hard to fix. Once we find the optimal resolution we will post on this thread. Since you have mentioned that you need for refund, upon checking with your account we can see that you have been registered with AVG Antivirus and AVG PC Tune up, which crossed refund validity period. To know about refund policy and terms we would request you to have a look at this article: http://support.avg.com/SupportArticleView?urlname=What-is-AVG-refund-policy . Thank you.