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'subscribe' to folders on Thunderbird does not work -- email folders disappear

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My email folders have stopped appearing in the left-hand column of Thunderbird. I can click on them in Subscribe but my selections disappear after I have clicked 'OK.' If I restart Thunderbird, the folders show for a fraction of a second but disappear again. I have used Thunderbird for many years, but this problem just started a couple of days ago. My computer is a Mac laptop. If anyone knows how to fix this, I would be really grateful!

My email folders have stopped appearing in the left-hand column of Thunderbird. I can click on them in Subscribe but my selections disappear after I have clicked 'OK.' If I restart Thunderbird, the folders show for a fraction of a second but disappear again. I have used Thunderbird for many years, but this problem just started a couple of days ago. My computer is a Mac laptop. If anyone knows how to fix this, I would be really grateful!

Chosen solution

Are you trying to connect to outlook server or office365 ? Some people are reporting this, please let me know what server you are trying to use so I can pass on info to developers.

In the meantime try this:

  • right click on mail account name folder in Folder Pane and select 'Settings'
  • Select 'Server Settings'
  • click on 'Advanced..' button
  • uncheck 'Show only subscribed folders' to force a display.
  • click on 'OK'

Exit Thunderbird and allow a little time for background processes to complete - then restart Thunderbird.

  • right click on mail account name folder in Folder Pane and select 'Settings'
  • Select 'Synchronisation & Storage'
  • Select : Keep messages in all folders for this account on this computer'
  • Click on 'Advanced...'
  • Select folders to ensure download and click on OK
  • Select 'Synchronise all messages locally regardless of age'
  • close 'Account Settings' tab
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Chosen Solution

Are you trying to connect to outlook server or office365 ? Some people are reporting this, please let me know what server you are trying to use so I can pass on info to developers.

In the meantime try this:

  • right click on mail account name folder in Folder Pane and select 'Settings'
  • Select 'Server Settings'
  • click on 'Advanced..' button
  • uncheck 'Show only subscribed folders' to force a display.
  • click on 'OK'

Exit Thunderbird and allow a little time for background processes to complete - then restart Thunderbird.

  • right click on mail account name folder in Folder Pane and select 'Settings'
  • Select 'Synchronisation & Storage'
  • Select : Keep messages in all folders for this account on this computer'
  • Click on 'Advanced...'
  • Select folders to ensure download and click on OK
  • Select 'Synchronise all messages locally regardless of age'
  • close 'Account Settings' tab
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it works! -- my email folders have reappeared -- thanks v much indeed! -- the server is outlook.office365.com