The following error message may occurs in ESET NOD32 AntiVirus (EAV) or ESET Smart Security (ESS), accompanied by a red alert as shown in system tray (notification area) icon which saying that the system exposed to risk, and anti-virus protection and/or anti-spyware protection is not running properly. In the error logs, the following error messages may be recorded.

Kernel: Error initializing file submission system. (Used to send suspicious files for analysis)

or

Kernel: Virus scanner initialization failed. Antivirus protection will not function properly. Most of Eset Smart Security modules will not function properly.


Other than ESET program icon which turning red, Windows Security Center red alert icon may appear with notification bubble asking user to check the computer security as there is security problems found on the system. Clicking on the notification bubble will open Windows Security Center that showing signature database for virus protection and/or spyware and other malware protection is out-of-date.

The problem happens apparently due to corrupted virus signature database used by the ESET security apps. Thus, to fix the failed ESET NOD32 or Smart Security security protection engines initialization issue, try to manually update virus signature database from the program interface. After updating, the ESS or EAV services should start to working immediately. Else, restart the computer and if necessary, perform another update.