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"Couldn't load xpcom" error in thunderbird

  • 3 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 2 views
  • Last reply by Walter

nroten
nroten
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Thunderbird shut off today and now I can't get it back open due to the error message "couldn't load xpcom. How do I get back into Thunderbird

Thunderbird shut off today and now I can't get it back open due to the error message "couldn't load xpcom. How do I get back into Thunderbird

Chosen solution

Hello,

XPCOM stands for Cross-Platform Component Object Model. This error is likely caused by a corrupt install. If you follow these instructions, you will still keep your profile (emails, accounts, extensions, etc.)

Certain Thunderbird problems can be solved by performing a Clean reinstall. This means you remove Thunderbird's program files and then reinstall Thunderbird. Please follow these steps:

  1. Download the latest version of Thunderbird from http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/ and save the setup file to your computer.
  2. After the download is complete, close all Thunderbird windows (Click Exit/Quit from the menu button on the right).
  3. Delete the Thunderbird installation folder, which is located in one of these locations, by default:
    • Windows:
      • C:\Program Files\Mozilla Thunderbird\
      • C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Thunderbird\
    • Mac: Delete Thunderbird from the Applications folder.
    • Linux: If you installed Thunderbird with the distro-based package manager, you should use the same way to uninstall it - see Install Thunderbird on Linux. If you downloaded and installed the binary package from the Thunderbird Download Page, simply remove the folder thunderbird in your home directory.
  4. Now, go ahead and reinstall Thunderbird:
    1. Double-click the downloaded installation file and go through the steps of the installation wizard.
    2. Once the wizard is finished, choose to open Thunderbird after clicking the Finish button.

WARNING: Do not run Thunderbird's uninstaller or use a third party remover as part of this process, because that could permanently delete your Thunderbird data, including but not limited to, extensions, emails, personal settings and saved passwords. These cannot be recovered unless they have been backed up to an external device!

Please report back to see if this helped you!

Thank you.

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (3)

Amelia
Amelia
more options

Chosen Solution

Hello,

XPCOM stands for Cross-Platform Component Object Model. This error is likely caused by a corrupt install. If you follow these instructions, you will still keep your profile (emails, accounts, extensions, etc.)

Certain Thunderbird problems can be solved by performing a Clean reinstall. This means you remove Thunderbird's program files and then reinstall Thunderbird. Please follow these steps:

  1. Download the latest version of Thunderbird from http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/ and save the setup file to your computer.
  2. After the download is complete, close all Thunderbird windows (Click Exit/Quit from the menu button on the right).
  3. Delete the Thunderbird installation folder, which is located in one of these locations, by default:
    • Windows:
      • C:\Program Files\Mozilla Thunderbird\
      • C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Thunderbird\
    • Mac: Delete Thunderbird from the Applications folder.
    • Linux: If you installed Thunderbird with the distro-based package manager, you should use the same way to uninstall it - see Install Thunderbird on Linux. If you downloaded and installed the binary package from the Thunderbird Download Page, simply remove the folder thunderbird in your home directory.
  4. Now, go ahead and reinstall Thunderbird:
    1. Double-click the downloaded installation file and go through the steps of the installation wizard.
    2. Once the wizard is finished, choose to open Thunderbird after clicking the Finish button.

WARNING: Do not run Thunderbird's uninstaller or use a third party remover as part of this process, because that could permanently delete your Thunderbird data, including but not limited to, extensions, emails, personal settings and saved passwords. These cannot be recovered unless they have been backed up to an external device!

Please report back to see if this helped you!

Thank you.

shhganzo
shhganzo
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91.8.0 seems to want to install in C:\Program Files\

whereas my old tbird (91.7.0 ?) was in C:\Program Files (x86)\

Deleting the x86 tbird folder, then doing a complete install resulted in a tbird that launches !

Walter
Walter
more options

It didn't work for me

Modified by Walter