Catalina won't load any internet-based items system wide, requires force shutdown

[Davmeister]

Hi guys,

I have an issue that I have had simultaneously with my iMac (5k 27) and MBP 16".

After being left alone for a few hours, they both require force reboots in order to function normally. The functionality that is lost is for example loading webpages, loading emails. The emails come through, but clicking on them results in a blank white screen. Laoding webpages - the load marker doesn't move past its first mark.

Firefox, Chrome are unaffected.

I then try to restart using system menu command - gets to quitting all apps, then hangs at the dock requiring force shut down.

Then repeat.

Any ideas?
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I am going to try uninstalling Avast internet security and see if that helps. There must be something in common that I have installed on both computers for it to cause the same issue.

NB neither Mac goes to sleep they are set to always stay awake.

 

[hmkabaker]

I got rid of Avast, which greatly improved things. Which browser had trouble? You say Firefox was unaffected, but I had the most trouble with Firefox, even after uninstalling Avast. The problem has been long gone, except once, after I ran Firefox for a while and quit; when I tried to shut down, the computer instead restarted and said it had a problem shutting down. I have no idea what kind of junk was left lying around after I quit Firefox, and don't know whether to blame Firefox or Catalina. As I say, Catalina and Chrome seem to get along fine. Computer screen (but not disk drives) sleeps and wakes up normally.

 

[KALLT]

The issue does seem serious/disruptive enough that I would suspect programs with kernel access, such as probably anti-malware software and like.

 

[Davmeister]

It affects mail as well tho so I think it’s something else.

Anyway removed antivirus seemed to fix it if anyone else has this trouble.

 

[hmkabaker]

It affects mail as well tho so I think it’s something else.

Anyway removed antivirus seemed to fix it if anyone else has this trouble.

Please report back after a couple of days, whether you have a problem or not. Thanks.