💡 Why people search “turn off Avast VPN” (and what this guide fixes)

If you’ve typed “turn off Avast VPN” into Google, chances are you’ve got one of three problems: the VPN is slowing your streaming or gaming, it’s blocking a local service you need, or it’s being stubborn and won’t disconnect. Maybe you just want Avast SecureLine or the VPN component of Avast One off for a while without uninstalling anything. Whatever the reason — that pause button should be obvious, quick, and reversible.

This guide walks you through realistic, device-by-device steps to disable Avast VPN (SecureLine / Avast One), how to troubleshoot when it won’t turn off, what the risks are when you disconnect, and safe alternatives if you want a more dependable VPN experience in Australia. I’ll keep it practical — short steps, common pitfalls, and clear fixes so you can get back to Netflix, cloud gaming, or work without the fuss.

If you’re on Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS I’ve got step-by-step shots, plus a handy HTML table comparing speed of fixes and common issues by device. I’ll also flag when you should leave the VPN on (public Wi‑Fi, dodgy downloads) and when it’s safe to switch it off (trusted home network, local streaming). If Avast keeps acting up, I’ll show quick ways to force-stop, remove the VPN profile, or uninstall — and why you might want to try another VPN instead.

Read on, pick the device you’re using, and follow the relevant section. If you’re in a hurry, the Data Snapshot table below gives the fastest next step for your device.

📊 Quick fixes by device (Data Snapshot)

🖥️ Device⚙️ Typical Steps⏱️ Est. Time⚠️ Common Issue✅ Quick Fix
Windows (Avast SecureLine / Avast One)Open system tray → right-click Avast icon → Disconnect VPN; or open Avast app → Privacy → VPN → Toggle off30s–2 minVPN toggle greyed out / app unresponsiveEnd Avast task in Task Manager, reboot, disable auto-start
macOSOpen Avast app or menu bar icon → Disconnect; or System Settings → VPN profile → Disconnect30s–2 minVPN profile remains in Settings, reconnecting on startupRemove VPN profile or toggle 'Connect on startup' off
AndroidOpen Avast app → VPN tab → Toggle off; or Settings → Apps → Avast → Force stop20s–2 minApp keeps reconnecting / persistent VPN notificationForce stop app or uninstall and reinstall
iOS (iPhone / iPad)Open Avast app → Disconnect VPN OR Settings → VPN → toggle off or delete profile30s–1 minVPN profile reappears or “Not Connected” but still routing through VPNDelete VPN profile in Settings → General → VPN & Device Management
Routers / Network-level VPNLog into router admin → VPN client → Disable or remove config2–10 minRouter UI not accessible or settings reset after rebootFactory-backup router config, then remove VPN profile

This table gives a quick action map: if you want to disconnect fast, use the app UI or system tray/menu bar. If the app is unresponsive or keeps reconnecting, the fastest reliable fixes are to force-stop the app (Android/Windows), remove the VPN profile (iOS/macOS), or disable auto-start inside Avast. For routers or network-level VPNs expect a slightly longer process (logins and config changes), so plan a few minutes.

Why this matters locally: swapping VPN off can improve latency for cloud gaming and reduce buffering for some streaming services — but it also removes the privacy layer that masks your IP and encrypts traffic. If you’re turning the VPN off to access local streaming or improve gaming performance, that’s a common and reasonable trade-off. If you’re turning it off because the app is buggy, try the troubleshooting steps below before uninstalling.

😎 MaTitie SHOW TIME

Hi, I’m MaTitie — the bloke who wrote this piece and has spent way too many late nights testing VPN weirdness so you don’t have to. I’ve tried hundreds of setups across Windows, macOS, Android and iPhone while chasing the fastest streams and the least drama.

Here’s the short version: if you want speed and sure-fire streaming access in Australia, a reliable VPN matters. Avast SecureLine is fine for basic privacy, but if you’re after consistent streaming, low latency cloud gaming, or better app stability, try something built for that use-case.

If you want to skip the faff and give a proper alternative a go: 👉 🔐 Try NordVPN now — 30-day risk-free.
NordVPN tends to be faster for streaming and less likely to re-route or block local services — which is handy if you toggle VPNs frequently.

This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, MaTitie may earn a small commission.

💡 Step-by-step: How to turn off Avast VPN (full walkthrough)

Below are clear steps for each major platform. Follow the section for your device.

Windows (Avast SecureLine or Avast One)

  • Method A (fastest): Find the Avast icon in the system tray (bottom-right), right-click → look for “VPN” or “Disconnect” → click Disconnect.
  • Method B (from the app): Open Avast → Privacy → SecureLine VPN or VPN → Toggle the switch to Off / Disconnect.
  • If the app is frozen: press Ctrl+Shift+Esc → Task Manager → find Avast-related processes (AvastUI.exe or similar) → End task → reopen Avast and check.
  • Prevent auto-start: Avast settings → General → Start with Windows → disable, or within the VPN section disable “Connect on startup”.

macOS

  • From menu bar: click the Avast menu bar icon → Disconnect VPN.
  • From app: open Avast → Privacy / VPN → Toggle off.
  • To remove persistent profile: Apple menu → System Settings → Network or VPN → select Avast profile → Delete or turn off “Connect on startup”.

Android

  • Open the Avast app → VPN tab → Toggle the VPN off.
  • If Avast keeps reconnecting: Settings → Apps → Avast → Force stop → Storage → Clear cache. If still sticky, uninstall and reinstall Avast.
  • Tip: Check Android VPN settings (Settings → Network & internet → VPN) and remove any leftover profiles.

iOS (iPhone/iPad)

  • Open the Avast app → Disconnect VPN.
  • If the VPN won’t drop: Settings → General → VPN & Device Management → find the profile and delete it.
  • iOS sometimes keeps a profile even if the app is deleted — remove the profile to fully clear any persistent rules.

Router / Network-level

  • Log into your router admin page (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) → VPN client section → Disable or delete the configuration.
  • If unsure, check router manual or ISP support — network-level changes affect every device on the network.

When to restart vs when to uninstall

  • Restart app/device: try first if toggle is unresponsive.
  • Uninstall/reinstall: if the app consistently reconnects or the settings are corrupted.
  • Full uninstall needed when you want to remove SecureLine permanently or switch to a different VPN provider.

🔍 Troubleshooting: Avast VPN won’t turn off?

Common causes and fixes:

  • Auto-connect enabled: Avast can be set to reconnect automatically when it detects networks. Disable auto-connect in Avast’s VPN settings.
  • Corrupted settings: uninstall and reinstall Avast SecureLine or Avast One.
  • System profiles: iOS and macOS can retain VPN profiles after uninstall — manually remove them from system settings.
  • Background services: on Windows, services may keep the VPN route alive. End the Avast processes in Task Manager, then reboot.
  • Router-level VPN: even if your device shows “VPN off,” a router-level VPN will still route traffic — check router configs.

Real-world context: people often toggle VPNs off to access geo-restricted streams or reduce latency for cloud gaming — both valid reasons. TechRadar’s streaming guides show that using the right approach to VPNs matters for sports and live events where local rights can block foreign IPs [TechRadar, 2025-08-13]. And for cloud gaming, VPN use can add latency — CNET France has a recent breakdown on how VPNs affect cloud gaming performance [CNET France, 2025-08-13].

🔁 Alternatives & when to switch providers

If Avast keeps misbehaving and you need consistent access or lower latency:

  • Pick a VPN optimised for streaming and performance (NordVPN is widely tested and often recommended for low-latency streaming).
  • Use split tunnelling: keep sensitive apps on VPN while letting local services bypass it.
  • For pure speed with geo-unblocking, a reputable commercial VPN often beats free or bundled options.

Note: users sometimes rely on VPNs to access sites that enforced identity checks or local blocks — that’s becoming more common in some regions and influences how people manage VPN on/off behaviour [Gigazine, 2025-08-13].

🙋 Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: What’s the fastest way to disable Avast VPN on Windows?

💬 Open the system tray, right-click the Avast icon and choose Disconnect. If the toggle is unresponsive, end Avast in Task Manager and reopen it.

🛠️ Question 2: How do I stop Avast from auto-reconnecting?

💬 Disable auto-connect in Avast’s VPN settings. If it persists, uninstall and reinstall Avast, and check your system’s VPN profiles.

🧠 Question 3: Will turning off Avast VPN affect streaming or gaming?

💬 Turning off the VPN can reduce latency for cloud gaming and fix geolocation issues for some streaming services, but you’ll lose the privacy and encryption benefits while it’s off.

🧩 Final Thoughts…

Turning off Avast VPN is usually quick — but the real challenge is when it refuses to stay off. Start with the app toggle, move to force-stop or profile removal if needed, and consider reinstalling or switching providers if problems persist. If you’re toggling VPNs frequently for streaming or gaming, consider a provider with stable split-tunnelling and strong performance in Australia.

📚 Further Reading

Here are 3 recent articles that give more context to this topic — all selected from verified sources. Feel free to explore 👇

🔸 “Offerta NordVPN: fino al 73% di sconto + 3 mesi EXTRA”
🗞️ Source: iPhoneItalia – 📅 2025-08-13
🔗 Read Article

🔸 “iOS 26 Beta 6: Is This The Fastest Beta Ever?”
🗞️ Source: Geeky Gadgets – 📅 2025-08-13
🔗 Read Article

🔸 “Average ransomware payment now $1.1M: Coveware charts rise of data exfiltration”
🗞️ Source: Blocks and Files – 📅 2025-08-13
🔗 Read Article

😅 A Quick Shameless Plug (Hope You Don’t Mind)

Look — we’re a VPN comparison site, so yes, we test the gear. NordVPN consistently performs well in our tests for streaming and low latency in Australia. If you’re toggling VPNs to get better streaming or gaming performance, it’s worth trying a provider built for that use.

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📌 Disclaimer

This article pulls together public product behaviour, recent reporting, and practical troubleshooting tips. It’s meant to help you troubleshoot and make a choice — not legal or technical advice. Always back up configs before changing router or system settings.