Email will not open says it has virus

That's frustrating! Don't worry, I'm here to help you troubleshoot the issue.

When your email says it has a virus, it's usually a false positive or a misdetected file. Here are some steps to help you resolve the issue:

  1. Check your email provider's settings: Ensure that your email provider's virus scanning settings are not too aggressive. You can try adjusting the settings to be more lenient or disabling the virus scanning feature temporarily.
  2. Use a different email client or app: Try opening the email using a different email client or app, such as Microsoft Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird, or a mobile app like Gmail or Outlook.
  3. Check the email's attachment: If the email has an attachment, try opening it separately outside of your email client. If it's a legitimate file, it should open without any issues.
  4. Scan the email with a different antivirus software: Run a scan on the email using a different antivirus software, such as Avast, AVG, or Malwarebytes. This can help determine if the issue is specific to your current antivirus software.
  5. Contact your email provider's support: Reach out to your email provider's support team and report the issue. They may be able to help you resolve the issue or provide more information about the detected virus.
  6. Check for updates: Ensure that your email client, antivirus software, and operating system are up-to-date, as updates often include bug fixes and improved virus detection.
  7. Try a different email account: If you have multiple email accounts, try opening the email using a different account. If it opens without issues, it may indicate a problem with your current account or email client.
  8. Check for malware on your device: Run a full scan on your device using your antivirus software to ensure that there are no malware infections.
  9. Try a different device: If possible, try opening the email on a different device or computer to see if the issue is device-specific.
  10. Contact the sender: If none of the above steps work, try contacting the sender of the email and asking them to resend the email or provide more information about the attachment.

Remember to always exercise caution when opening emails and attachments from unknown senders, as they may contain malware or viruses.