Description

Endpoint security / antivirus (AV) software can silently block Ansys while it runs. It can also silently block files while Ansys installs, which leaves a corrupt installation. Either one can make Ansys crash, hang, fail to open, or show unexpected error messages.

This article shows you how to rule out your endpoint security / antivirus software as the cause, then exclude Ansys from it.

We have seen these endpoint security / antivirus products interfere with Ansys:

• Norton
• McAfee
• SentinelOne
• ESET
• Cylance
• AppMoat
• Webroot
• Trend Micro (Endpoint Basecamp 2019)
• Sophos
• Bitdefender
• Trellix

Solution

1. Rule Out AV Software as the Cause

1. Identify what endpoint security software your computer runs. If your IT department manages your computer, ask them which endpoint security software is in use.
   
   Note: Third-party endpoint security software often runs silently in the background alongside Windows Defender, without appearing in the system tray or Start menu. You can also open Task Manager and review the process list to try to identify the AV software that is running.
2. Check whether your AV software is on the list in the Description above.
   
   Note: Skip to step 4 if your AV software is on the list.
3. If you can, review your AV software logs to see whether it blocked Ansys.
   
   Note: Centrally managed AV software often blocks Ansys without logging it or alerting you, so the logs cannot rule it out for certain.
4. Temporarily uninstall your AV software.
   
   Note: Disabling AV software rarely turns off all its features, so uninstall it completely to be confident either way. Ending its process in Task Manager rarely works either, because AV products restart themselves to stop malicious threats from shutting them down.
5. With your AV software still uninstalled, fully uninstall Ansys. Follow HOW TO - Uninstall Ansys Software.
   
   Note: Do this step even if the problem still happens after you uninstall your AV software. It may have blocked files while Ansys was installing.
6. Reinstall Ansys using the Ansys Download & Installation Guide (Start Here!).
7. Try to reproduce the problem.
   • If the problem does not happen: your AV software was the cause. Continue to 2. Exclude Ansys and Reinstall Your AV Software.
   • If the problem still happens: keep your AV software uninstalled while you troubleshoot further, so you can rule it out as a contributing factor. See HOW TO - Fix Ansys Installation / Functionality Issues. When you finish, continue to 2. Exclude Ansys and Reinstall Your AV Software.

2. Exclude Ansys and Reinstall Your AV Software

1. Work with your IT department to whitelist / exclude the Ansys folders in your endpoint security software. Follow HOW TO - Whitelist Ansys in Endpoint Security / Antivirus Software.
2. Reinstall your AV software if you uninstalled it in the steps above.

3. Verify It Worked

1. Try to reproduce the problem. If it does not happen, Ansys now runs correctly with your AV software installed.
   
   Note: If the problem comes back, the exclusions do not cover everything Ansys uses. Review them with your IT department against HOW TO - Whitelist Ansys in Endpoint Security / Antivirus Software.

Note: If Ansys does not open at all, see ERROR - Ansys won't open / launch.