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Thunderbird sends using wrong "from" address

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  • Last reply by Don5

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I have three Thunderbird accounts each with its own email address through gmail. I've had these accounts/addresses for years. Recently, when I send an email from one account (using it's assigned email address), Thunderbird is automatically switching the "from" to another one of my accounts/emails. By way of example: When I send a message using my "ABC" account/email, Thunderbird (or maybe it's gmail) switches the account/email to my "XYZ" account/email. While the "ABC" message is saved in Thunderbird's Sent folder (showing the ABC "from" address), it also shows up/is saved in the gmail sent folder (showing the XYZ "from" address). The recipient sees the XYZ "from" address, even though I sent the email through Thunderbird with the ABC "from" address. Please help...this is driving me nuts

I have three Thunderbird accounts each with its own email address through gmail. I've had these accounts/addresses for years. Recently, when I send an email from one account (using it's assigned email address), Thunderbird is automatically switching the "from" to another one of my accounts/emails. By way of example: When I send a message using my "ABC" account/email, Thunderbird (or maybe it's gmail) switches the account/email to my "XYZ" account/email. While the "ABC" message is saved in Thunderbird's Sent folder (showing the ABC "from" address), it also shows up/is saved in the gmail sent folder (showing the XYZ "from" address). The recipient sees the XYZ "from" address, even though I sent the email through Thunderbird with the ABC "from" address. Please help...this is driving me nuts

Modified by Don5

Chosen solution

It's not about what address you have in the From field, it's all about what outgoing smtp server you are using for that From email address.

EG: FRom might say "ABC" account/email But your account Settings are not using the outgoing server that has username "ABC" account/email.

You may have the correct email address in the 'From' but you may actually be sending using another email address' outgoing server smtp.

Check settings:

  • Right click on account name in Folder Pane and select 'Settings'
At the bottom of the left pane, below the list of mail accounts and Local folders... 
  • click on 'Outgoing server (SMTP)' It will list all the outgoing servers in the right pane. You should have one for each mail account/email address.
  • Select the first one and click on 'Edit'
  • It will show you the email address in the 'user name'.
  • Under 'Description' type that email address. This field is used to help you identify a server more easily.
  • click on OK

Select the second outgoing smtp server in list and click on 'Edit' Repeat the same action to set the 'Description' to say the same email address as mentioned in 'User name'. Repeat until you have set up each correct outgoing server


Now check to see what Outgoing Server is being used by each account.

  • Select the account name in left pane.

Bottom right it will say 'Outgoing Server (SMTP)' and it will show you the 'Description' information. Make sure the email address shown is the same as the account you have selected. Do not click on 'Edit SMTP-server' button.

  • If it is wrong then click on the drop down to select the correct one.
  • Check the other mail accounts to make sure they are using correct outgoing server.

If using version 68*

   * click on OK to close Account Settings. 

Restart Thunderbird.

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Chosen Solution

It's not about what address you have in the From field, it's all about what outgoing smtp server you are using for that From email address.

EG: FRom might say "ABC" account/email But your account Settings are not using the outgoing server that has username "ABC" account/email.

You may have the correct email address in the 'From' but you may actually be sending using another email address' outgoing server smtp.

Check settings:

  • Right click on account name in Folder Pane and select 'Settings'
At the bottom of the left pane, below the list of mail accounts and Local folders... 
  • click on 'Outgoing server (SMTP)' It will list all the outgoing servers in the right pane. You should have one for each mail account/email address.
  • Select the first one and click on 'Edit'
  • It will show you the email address in the 'user name'.
  • Under 'Description' type that email address. This field is used to help you identify a server more easily.
  • click on OK

Select the second outgoing smtp server in list and click on 'Edit' Repeat the same action to set the 'Description' to say the same email address as mentioned in 'User name'. Repeat until you have set up each correct outgoing server


Now check to see what Outgoing Server is being used by each account.

  • Select the account name in left pane.

Bottom right it will say 'Outgoing Server (SMTP)' and it will show you the 'Description' information. Make sure the email address shown is the same as the account you have selected. Do not click on 'Edit SMTP-server' button.

  • If it is wrong then click on the drop down to select the correct one.
  • Check the other mail accounts to make sure they are using correct outgoing server.

If using version 68*

   * click on OK to close Account Settings. 

Restart Thunderbird.

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Thank you! Thank you!