Thunderbird freezes and returns "Not Responding" when I click the "Get Messages" button
When I launch Thunderbird, it immediately starts "getting" messages from the "pop" server. All messages come in correctly without issue.
However, as soon as I execute the "Get Messages" function, Thunderbird locks up/freezes/crashes. In the header it then reads (Mozilla Thunderbird (Not Responding).
If I close the program and open it back up, it opens in a frozen state. If I search for all of the "Popstate.***" files and delete them, Thunderbird then opens again and start to automatically "Get Messages"...and, it does it successfully.
However, the cycle continues - in that, if I execute the "Get Messages" function, it crashes again.
I've checked my firewall and temporarily removed my Anti-virus program. However, this has not resolved the issue.
Please help! Thank you!!!!!!
Chosen solution
Chances are the culprit is your anti-virus software. Don't let it scan your Thunderbird profile folder. Don't let it scan incoming and outgoing messages. Don't let it scan attachments. Remove any anti-virus add-ons it may have installed in Thunderbird.
Read this answer in context 👍 1All Replies (16)
What is your anti-virus software?
SUPERAntiSpyware is the antivirus and BitDefender is the Firewall.
Try to start *Windows* in safe mode with networking enabled.
- Win8 http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/windows-startup-settings-including-safe-mode
- Win7 http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Start-your-computer-in-safe-mode
- XP http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/boot_failsafe.mspx
Still in Windows safe mode, start Thunderbird in safe mode.
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/safe-mode
Does the problem go away?
It's hard to tell. Normally, as long as I have the WiFi turned off, I can execute "Get Messages" with no problem. But, with the WiFi enabled, Thunderbird locks up and displays "Not Responding".
In Safe Mode, the internet is not engaged. Therefore, it's I'm unable to see the difference.
...and btw, thank you for jumping in and trying to help me through this situation.
Modified by Glisten-Up
The idea is to start Windows in safe mode with *networking enabled*, so that there is Internet access.
Duh!!!!! Stupid me! Of course! Doing it now!
It all works perfectly with (Safe Mode w/ Networking enabled). I am able to both send and receive from each account without Thunderbird locking up. What does this mean? Is it an Antivirus or Firewall issue? If so, that's not good because I've looked all over my Antivirus and Firewall software to find where it might be blocking Thunderbird and I haven't found anything.
Chosen Solution
Chances are the culprit is your anti-virus software. Don't let it scan your Thunderbird profile folder. Don't let it scan incoming and outgoing messages. Don't let it scan attachments. Remove any anti-virus add-ons it may have installed in Thunderbird.
If I temporarily uninstall the anti-virus software and then reinstall it, should that detach any current attachments that it might have to Thunderbird?
I have no idea what you're talking about. You may ask in a forum for your anti-virus software. You can try to uninstall the anti-virus software and check if things are still working while starting Windows normally.
Thank you so very much for all of your help! I truly appreciate it!!!!!!!!
Did you resolve your problem?
Yes. I most certainly did. I came to see that it was my BitDefender Firewall that had it blocked. I added an exception that stopped it from blocking. Thank you soooo much for helping me with this issue. I guess we can close it out now.
I guess we can close it out now.
Good. Can you mark this thread as 'Solved' then? Thank you.
Sure thing! Thanks.
Thanks for this. I was able to solve my problem too. I have been having problems with the "Not Responding" freeze ever since I installed Thunderbird, finally today had time to research the problem and found this thread. I went to my AVG-Free and turned off email checking, and the problem no longer exists. I called my (professional, niche) software tech who sometimes helps me with other computer problems, and she said that she actually thinks it's a Windows problem, that it doesn't like multiple programs to share access to data files, doesn't release quickly enough. This matches with my impression that the problem was when I asked T-Bird to do more than one thing too quickly, such as define a block of files and deleting (one of the things which would cause the freeze). So in other words, it's not T-Bird, it's Windows. In any case, I'm just going to leave AVG turned off for email, I have other layers of security going. Any further thoughts about this would be welcome.