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What should I do, as something has changed recently as now I cannot save a message in Draft?

  • 3 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 12 views
  • Last reply by Toad-Hall

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In the past closing/saving a message that is not ready to send has correctly saved to Draft. Now, when I close/save a message, Thunderbird does not complete the saving to draft; message says Thunderbird is processing it but it does not happen.

In the past closing/saving a message that is not ready to send has correctly saved to Draft. Now, when I close/save a message, Thunderbird does not complete the saving to draft; message says Thunderbird is processing it but it does not happen.

All Replies (3)

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Q: Are you using an imap or pop mail account?

If Imap: Q: Can you see the 'Drafts' folder ? Make sure it really is 'subscribed'

  • Right click on imap maila ccount and select 'Subscribe'
  • select the 'Drafts' folder and click on 'Subscribe'
  • click on 'OK'

Enable 'Folder pane columns' if not already enabled.

  • 'Menu icon' > 'Options' > 'Layout' > select 'Folder Pane Columns'

In Folder Pane:

  • select to see 'Total' and 'Size' columns

see image below as guide.

Q: How many emails are in the 'Drafts' folder? Q: What is the size of the folder? Q: Do you compact the Drafts folder on a regular basis?

Compact the folder to remove all the 'marked as deleted' hidden emails:

  • Right click on 'Drafts' folder and select 'Compact'
  • Did the 'size' reduce ?

Open a new 'Write' message, type something and save as draft. Q: Did it save much easier.

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Thanks for suggestion It's IMAP. Only 11 messages were in Draft. Compacted it; removed one large message of 6mb, so now down to 10 messages. Still will not save messages into Draft. Has been working OK for years until now! CannotsaveDraft

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Unsubscribe from seeing Drafts folder.

  • Right click on imap mail account and select 'Subscribe'
  • select the 'Drafts' folder and click on 'UnSubscribe'
  • click on 'OK'

Restart thunderbird.

Subscribe to seeing Drafts folder.

  • Right click on imap maila ccount and select 'Subscribe'
  • select the 'Drafts' folder and click on 'Subscribe'
  • click on 'OK'

Account Settings:

  • right click on imap mail ccount and select 'settings'
  • Select 'Copies & Folders'
  • Keep message drafts in:
  • Select 'Other'
  • Select 'Drafts folder on imap mail account'
  • Click on OK

Restart Thunderbird. open a new Write message, type something and try save to drafts.