# Whitelisting Luminar Neo in Antivirus Software

Luminar Neo may experience compatibility issues with certain Windows antivirus programs, which can block or restrict its processes. To ensure smooth operation, it’s important to whitelist Luminar Neo in your antivirus settings.

**Please note that issues that appear because of the antivirus may be:**

* Crash of the app 
* Inability to activate the app 
* Inability to log into the app after entering the required credentials (the log-in window just hangs) 
* Corrupted UI of the login window and Skylum website that affects users' experience

### General Steps <a href="#h_01jag2ed7hgym8z02er5rytez6" id="h_01jag2ed7hgym8z02er5rytez6"></a>

1. **Access Antivirus Settings:** Open your antivirus software and navigate to its settings or preferences.
2. **Find Exclusions/Exceptions:** Locate the section for exclusions or exceptions.
3. **Add Luminar Neo:** Include the Luminar Neo executable file (typically **LuminarNeo.exe**) or its folder in the exclusion list.
4. **Confirm Changes:** Save your adjustments and ensure that real-time protection is enabled.

### **Specific Instructions for Popular Antivirus Software** <a href="#h_01jag2ed7hs7tmd4xgtjmjj97c" id="h_01jag2ed7hs7tmd4xgtjmjj97c"></a>

<details>

<summary><strong>Windows Defender</strong></summary>

1. Open **Windows Security**.
2. Go to **Virus & threat protection** settings.
3. Click on **Add or remove exclusions**.
4. Add the Luminar Neo file or folder.\
   \
   \&#xNAN;*You can find the video guide on whitelisting the needed app in Windows Defender* [***here***](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhtfEAMEmQ4%C2%A0)*.*

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>McAfee</strong></summary>

1. Ensure that **Internet Connections** are open for Luminar Neo.
2. Add Luminar Neo to the exceptions list, adjusting access types as necessary.
3. For detailed instructions, visit the [McAfee Support website](https://download.mcafee.com/products/webhelp/4/4105/GUID-B4D9DBDF-A0E5-4302-9ACD-61AFA799B7A3.html).\
   \
   \&#xNAN;*You can find the video guide on whitelisting the needed app in McAffe* [***here***](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7HH6g8nnsg)***.***

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Avast</strong></summary>

1. Navigate to **Settings** > **General** > **Exclusions**.
2. Add the Luminar Neo file or folder.
3. For detailed instructions, refer to the [Avast Support website](https://support.avast.com/en-us/article/antivirus-scan-exclusions/).\
   \
   \&#xNAN;*You can find the video guide on how to whitelist the needed app in Avast* [***here***](https://youtu.be/OSfPkdkREHI?si=PJuKZcLQ78Vpcyy1)***.***

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>ESET</strong></summary>

1. Open **Advanced Setup** (press the **F5** key).
2. Go to **Antivirus and antispyware** > **Exclusions**.
3. Add the Luminar Neo file or folder.
4. For more information, check the [ESET Support website](https://support.eset.com/en/kb2769-exclude-files-or-folders-from-scanning-in-eset-windows-home-products).\
   \
   \&#xNAN;*You can find the video guide on how to whitelist the needed app in Eset* [***here***](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NbfmhJAiDs)*.*

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Avira</strong></summary>

1. Temporarily disable real-time protection.
2. Add Luminar Neo to exceptions in both **Scan** and **Real-time protection** settings.
3. Re-enable real-time protection.
4. For detailed instructions, visit the [Avira Support website](https://support.avira.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000105338-How-do-I-exclude-files-from-the-clean-up-process-of-Avira-System-Speedup).\
   \
   \&#xNAN;*You can find the video guide on how to whitelist the needed app in Avira* [***here***](https://youtu.be/Zjc9LZll1No?si=kq_UiOeZZE2VMJRK)***.***

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Bitdefender</strong></summary>

1. Go to **Protection** > **Settings** > **Exclusions**.
2. Add the Luminar Neo file or folder.
3. For more information, refer to the [Bitdefender Support website](https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/13427/).\
   \
   \&#xNAN;*You can find the video guide on how to whitelist the needed app in Bitdefender* [***here***](https://youtu.be/vHE04GaUW6U?si=_gczX8f1Fr_2prW5)*.*

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Malwarebytes</strong></summary>

1. Go to **Settings** > **Malware Exclusions**.
2. Add the Luminar Neo file or folder.
3. For detailed instructions, check the [Malwarebytes Support website](https://support.malwarebytes.com/hc/en-us/articles/360038479234-Manage-the-Allow-List-in-Malwarebytes-for-Windows-v4).\
   \
   \&#xNAN;*You can find the video guide on how to whitelist the needed app in Malwarebytes* [***here***](https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=7XbGoFJskayapB1g\&v=FjFoNgdzSuA\&feature=youtu.be)*.*

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Sophos Antivirus</strong></summary>

1. Open **Sophos Endpoint Security and Control**.
2. Click on **Policies** and then select **Antivirus**.
3. Navigate to **Exclusions**.
4. Click on **Add** to create a new exclusion.
5. Browse to locate and select the Luminar Neo executable file (usually **LuminarNeo.exe**) or its folder.
6. Save the changes to apply the exclusion.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Kaspersky</strong></summary>

1. Open **Kaspersky** and navigate to **Settings**.
2. Click on **Additional** and then select **Threats and Exclusions**.
3. Click on **Manage Exceptions**.
4. Select **Add** to include a new exception.
5. Browse to locate and select the Luminar Neo executable file (usually **LuminarNeo.exe**) or its containing folder.
6. Confirm the addition and ensure that changes are saved.
7. For detailed instructions, refer to the [**Kaspersky Support website**](https://support.kaspersky.com/).

</details>

{% hint style="danger" %}
Also, please note that we do not recommend using Kaspersky Antivirus due to its proven russian roots and data leaks that the Russian intelligence services may use. The antivirus filtering of Kaspersky has also proved to be incredibly and illogically strict, so please consider switching to the antivirus software listed above to prevent any possible issues with our app and all other apps on your PC.&#x20;
{% endhint %}

### Additional Troubleshooting <a href="#h_01jag2ed7hv58jmrt64f8jaw79" id="h_01jag2ed7hv58jmrt64f8jaw79"></a>

If you encounter connection issues while updating or installing Luminar Neo, consider the following solutions:

* **Disable Windows Defender Firewall:** You can turn off the Windows Defender Firewall by following the instructions provided in this [Microsoft support article](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4028544/windows-10-turn-windows-defender-firewall-on-or-off), or add Luminar Neo to the list of exceptions.
* **Adjust Antivirus Settings:** Either temporarily disable your antivirus or add Luminar Neo to its list of exclusions. Consult your antivirus manual for specific instructions.
* **Router Firewall:** If your router has a firewall, consider temporarily disabling it as well.

{% hint style="info" %}
The exact steps may vary slightly depending on the version of your antivirus software. For detailed guidance, consult the documentation specific to your antivirus program.
{% endhint %}