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Norton not opening or updating? Steps to try

Most Norton problems come down to a pending restart, an expired subscription, a failed update or a clash with another antivirus. Work through these in order.

Applies to
Norton 360 and Norton AntiVirus Plus on Windows 11 and 10
Difficulty
Moderate
Time
About 12 minutes
Updated

Quick answer

Restart the PC, confirm your subscription is active, then run LiveUpdate until it reports no more updates. Remove any second antivirus. If Norton still will not open or update, reinstall it with the Norton Remove and Reinstall tool from Norton's official support site.

These are general self-help steps. Norton's screens change between versions, so the exact menu names on your PC may differ slightly.

  1. Restart the PC

    Norton often needs a restart to finish installing its own updates or after a Windows update. Choose Start, then the power button, then Restart, rather than Shut down.

  2. Check that your subscription is active

    When a subscription expires, Norton stops updating and starts showing "at risk" warnings. Open Norton and look for your subscription status, or sign in to your account by typing Norton's web address yourself.

    Only check through the Norton app or a web address you type yourself. Emails about surprise Norton renewals are a common scam. See how to spot fake renewal emails.

  3. Run LiveUpdate

    Right-click the Norton icon in the notification area at the bottom right of the screen (you may need to select the small arrow first) and choose Run LiveUpdate. You can also find LiveUpdate inside the Norton window under its security or device-security section.

    Run it again after it finishes. Repeat until it reports that Norton is up to date, then restart.

  4. Check the date, time and internet connection

    A wrong clock can make secure update connections fail. Open Settings, then Time & language, then Date & time, and turn on Set time automatically. Make sure websites load normally; if not, see connected but no internet.

  5. Remove any second antivirus

    Two full antivirus products fight over the same files. Many new PCs come with a McAfee or other trial already installed. Open Settings, then Apps, then Installed apps, and uninstall any other antivirus you do not intend to keep. Microsoft Defender steps aside automatically and does not need removing.

  6. Install pending Windows updates

    Open Settings, then Windows Update, install everything offered, and restart. Norton relies on up-to-date Windows components.

  7. Reinstall with the Norton Remove and Reinstall tool

    If Norton still will not open or update, Norton provides an official tool that removes the damaged installation and installs a fresh copy. Go to support.norton.com, typing it yourself, and search for Norton Remove and Reinstall tool. Download it only from there.

    • Have your Norton account email and password ready, as you need to sign in to reinstall.
    • Close other programs and save your work. The PC restarts during the process.
    • If Windows asks whether to allow the tool to make changes, check that the publisher shown is Norton or Gen Digital.

  8. If it still fails, use Norton's official support

    Problems with your account, payments or a product that will not reinstall need Norton itself. Start from support.norton.com and choose a contact option from there. Do not use phone numbers from search ads, pop-ups or emails.

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