In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the steps to fix the ‘Gmail virus scanner temporarily unavailable’ issue. This can be a frustrating problem for Gmail users who need to access their attachments.
However, there are several solutions available to help users address this issue, such as:
- Use different browser
- Reset customize settings
- Enable Javascript
- Remove Unwanted Program
- Use Google Chrome Clean up tool
- Edit Registry
- Clear browser cache and cookies
Read the blog further to learn the detailed steps and more effective methods to fix this error:
How to fix Gmail virus scanner temporary unavailable error ?
There are several solutions that can help you fix this issue. First, watch the video for your convenience, and then follow the steps outlined below to resolve the error and safely access your attachments.
Use different browser
Using a different browser can help you detect issues at first, as most issues are temporary and get fixed automatically.
However, if you’re still having trouble, try using a different browser to see if the issue persists.
We recommend using Microsoft Edge or Opera, as both browsers are compatible and secure for surfing and using Google services.
Reset customize settings
If your settings have been changed from their default values, it’s possible that this is causing the issue. Therefore, it’s important to reset all settings to their default values.
Follow below mentioned steps to reset customized settings to their original default values.
To reset Chrome, open the browser and enter the following command: chrome://settings/reset. Then, click on the Reset option and confirm it.
Enable Javascript
JavaScript is an important part of web development. If it is disabled in your browser, you can enable it by following the graphical representation using the command mentioned below.
- Enter the command on Chrome browser “chrome://settings/content/javascript”and then click on the “Sites can use Javascript”.
Remove Unwanted Program
There are two ways to remove unwanted programs from your device, which may include those introduced through malicious links and credit card fraud on any other ways.
One way is to use the Google Chrome Clean-up tool, which is adept at detecting software that could be associated with such security threats. The other is to use the control panel.
Both methods are effective in removing unwanted programs, including those that may compromise your personal and financial information through malicious links and credit card scams.
Utilizing these methods can help improve the performance of your device and safeguard your sensitive data
Follow below mentioned steps to remove unwanted programs from your device:
Use Google Chrome Clean up tool
The Google Chrome Clean-up tool is a feature provided by Google that helps users find and remove suspicious and unwanted programs on their system.
This includes those that may be related to spam email and email attachments, as well as issues arising from compromised email addresses, email headers, and email messages.
By analyzing and addressing threats associated with these email elements, the tool enhances your device’s performance and ensures a safe and secure browsing experience.
This tool can be particularly useful in identifying and eliminating malware that could be introduced through unsafe email service practices. It helps in detecting threats that may compromise the integrity of your email communications.
It aids in improving the performance of your device and ensuring that your browsing experience is safe and secure, free from the threats posed by malicious attachments often found in spam emails.
Follow below mentioned steps to use Google chrome clean up tool:
- Open your Chrome browser and enter the following command:
chrome://settings/reset. Then, on the next screen, click on the ‘Clean up computer’ option.
- Click on the Find option.
Once you have followed the above steps and found a suspicious program. Follow the Control panel steps to remove the unwanted program mentioned below.
Use From Control Panel
- Use keyboard press
Windows + R.
- Type Control panel, and click OK.
- Click Program and Feature.
- Right-click on the unwanted program, click uninstall.
Edit Registry
There are options available to speed up the virus detection feature in Windows. You can easily follow the graphical representation mentioned below to do so
- Use keyboard press Windows + R.
- Type, “regedit” press “Ok”.
- Click on View and then address bar option available on the screen.
- Enter the command into the address bar.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Attachments
- Now, right-click on the “ScanwithAntivirus” file and click “Modify”.
- Set Value data from 3 to 1 and click on the Ok button.
Note: We recommend following the steps as indicated in the graphical representation. If you accidentally miss a step or select the wrong file to edit, it may cause severe problems on your Windows operating system. So, please be careful and follow the instructions carefully.
Use Anti-Virus
To enhance virus protection on Gmail, you can use third-party antivirus software programs available on the internet.
However, before installing a third-party antivirus, it’s a good idea to check the preinstalled antivirus on your Windows operating system.
Please check the preinstalled Windows antivirus and threat protection feature. If it is disabled, kindly enable it to improve your virus protection
Clear browser cache and cookies
Clearing your browser’s cache and cookies can help resolve the Gmail virus scanner unavailability problem as it can remove corrupted data that might be causing the problem.
The virus scanner in Gmail stores data in your browser’s cache and cookies, so if this data becomes corrupted, it can prevent the virus scanner from working properly.
Clearing your cache and cookies will force Gmail to download the data again, which may fix the problem.
Follow below mentioned steps to clear browser cache and cookies:
- Open your browser.
- Select the three dots in the top right corner of the window.
- To clear your browser’s cache and cookies, go to the [More tools] menu and select [Clear browsing data].
- In the section labeled ‘Time range to clear,’ choose the option for ‘All time’.
- Make sure to tick the boxes labeled ‘Cookies and other site data’ and ‘Cached images and files’.
- Click on “Clear data”.
Also Check: How to fix Sync error in Gmail ?
Conclusion
Lastly, the ‘Gmail virus scanner is temporarily unavailable’ error can be a frustrating problem for Gmail users who need to access their attachments, especially when these attachments are critical for mobile phone operations, contain coupon codes, or are related to incoming calls.
However, there are several solutions available that can help users deal with this problem.
These solutions include waiting and trying to download the attachment later, reinstalling Chrome, using a different browser, resetting custom settings, enabling JavaScript, removing unwanted programs, and editing the registry.
By following the steps mentioned in this blog post, users can resolve the error and access their attachments safely, ensuring protection against malicious software, unwanted software, and executable attachments.
These precautions are essential for maintaining the integrity of your system and personal data.
Frequently Asked Question’s (FAQ’s)
To fix the issue, you can try universal troubleshooting steps like restarting and rebooting your device; moreover, you can also uninstall unwanted applications or opt to reset your device after taking backup.
Yes, Gmail scans each email for virus if Gmail finds any malicious or suspicious link it warns the user before sending or receiving email.
To fix a gmail virus scanner on PC; you can set up antivirus or edit the Windows registry for a permanent solution.
No, Gmail does not carry virus; Gmail warns the user when it detects any malicious attachment in the email.
While attaching the file, if the error message is prompt, you can click on the help option to learn why the file is blocked.
Gmail has the capacity to detect the virus or a prohibited files type. The detection works before the file is sent and if Gmail detects an error the message is prompted on screen.
