ROON doesn't find Bluesound fixed groups anymore after installing Avast One

[Robin_Rotsaert]

Roon Core Machine

Roon Core running on
processor: AMD Ryzen 7 5700G with Radeon Graphics 3.80 GHz|
RAM: 16,0 GB

running Windows 11 home edition

also running Avast One (free version) with firewall set on trusted network

Networking Gear & Setup Details

Library is on a Synology NAS DS214+
Router: Asus RT-AC86U
Switches: TP-Link TL-SG2216 and TP-Link TL-SG1024

Connected Audio Devices

Audio devices: 2x Bluesound Pulse 2, 1x Bluesound Pulse Mini

Number of Tracks in Library

10000 tracks in library

Description of Issue

ROON was not able to find my two Pulse 2-speakers which were set up through the BluOS Controller to work as a stereo pair. Until recently this worked without problems. However after installing Avast One as an antivirus software this doesn’t work anymore. I checked that temporarilly disabling the antivirus program solves the issue. Only way, I found so far, to make ROON find the speakers while running Avast One is deleting the fixed group in BluOS Controller. However, I would like to use my former setup again in which the two speakers are seen in ROON as one entity (thus are set up as a fixed group in BluOS Controller).

I chose Avast One as a free anti virus after going through some reviews. However, I can change to another antivirus software if it’s also thrustworthy.

In short, is there a way to solve this problem by setting up some parameters in Avast One? Or is there an other thrustworthy free antivirus I could use which doesn’t show this issue?

Addendum: I just found out that swithing off the firewall in Avast One also solves the problem. Do I actually need a firewal on a desktop-machine in my home network? My router also has its firewall, so I guess this might allready be enough protection.

[ged_hickman1]

Did you add roon as exceptions in the firewall rules?

[Robin_Rotsaert]

I looked for a way to do that but Avast doesn’t seem to give that possibility. I guess its one of the things you get when switching to a payed version.

But then again, do I need this firewall to be switched on when I’m behind a router with a firewall?

[ged_hickman1]

Try windows defender

[wizardofoz (Mr Fix It aka The Wiz)]

FAQ: Adding Roon as a Firewall Exception

[noris]

Hi @Robin_Rotsaert ,

@Robin_Rotsaert

after installing Avast One as an antivirus software this doesn’t work anymore. I checked that temporarilly disabling the antivirus program solves the issue.

Yes, this confirms that the firewall is the issue. To give you some more context, please see the additional info below:

Since you are using a Windows PC, I would verify that both Roon.exe and RAATServer.exe have been > added as exceptions to your Windows and any other firewalls.

You can use these instructions to add the exceptions and the executables themselves would be located in your Database Location/Application folder path.

I would also add these exceptions to any Antivirus or other Firewall blocking applications you may have and ensure that you connected to your network via a Private network, not a Public one, see this guide for more information.

Hope this helps!