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Have to restart TB in order to see IMAP folder changes

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  • Last reply by GregS2

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Sometimes, I find that no matter what I do, TB simply will not update it's view of an IMAP folder/account, until I restart TB. I've tried performing both a "Get Mail", and also a Compact command on the offending folder, but neither has any effect. However, if I restart TB, it displays the correct view of the folder straight away. I done some testing with other IMAP clients (e.g EM Client, and K-9 on Android) - so far they both work well, although I do sometimes seem to need to do a "refresh".

Sometimes, I find that no matter what I do, TB simply will not update it's view of an IMAP folder/account, until I restart TB. I've tried performing both a "Get Mail", and also a Compact command on the offending folder, but neither has any effect. However, if I restart TB, it displays the correct view of the folder straight away. I done some testing with other IMAP clients (e.g EM Client, and K-9 on Android) - so far they both work well, although I do sometimes seem to need to do a "refresh".

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I've just observed this problem again. I started Thunderbird, went to an Inbox of an IMAP mailbox, and noticed two new/unread messages, but one old message, from yesterday, which should not have been there because I know that this mailbox is emptied regularly from POP clients.

I then asked someone else to do a POP download. That person received the two new messages, but did not receive the old message. (that's what I was expecting). My view of the folder did not change - I could still see all three messages. I then did a "Get Mail", followed by a Compact, to no avail. I then tried something I had never tried before - rather than restarting Thunderbird, I simply went offline and back online. Voila!! The messages disappeared!

I really think something is wrong. I do have IDLE enabled, with "Check new messages at startup" enabled, and also at 20 minute intervals.

Environment: Windows 8.1-64, Thunderbird 24.6.0, Dovecot IMAP server (provided by ISP)

Greg.