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Cannot add gmail account to Thunderbird

  • 5 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 2 views
  • Last reply by sfhowes

shirleyturner6024
shirleyturner6024
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I have several gmail accounts in Thunderbird and have been using for years with no problem. Suddenly just one of them stopped downloading emails, so I deleted the account from Thunderbird and tried to re-add. Now it keeps saying 'unable to login to server, probably wrong configuration, username or password.'

I have checked several times that all is correct but still can't put this account back on. Its driving me insane now. Any ideas gratefully received! Thanks Shirl

I have several gmail accounts in Thunderbird and have been using for years with no problem. Suddenly just one of them stopped downloading emails, so I deleted the account from Thunderbird and tried to re-add. Now it keeps saying 'unable to login to server, probably wrong configuration, username or password.' I have checked several times that all is correct but still can't put this account back on. Its driving me insane now. Any ideas gratefully received! Thanks Shirl

All Replies (5)

Balázs Meskó
Balázs Meskó
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Do you have application passwords set up correctly? These are Gmail's instructions to set up email clients: https://support.google.com/mail/answer/7126229

shirleyturner6024
shirleyturner6024 Question owner
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Yes I have checked that my password in Gmail is the same as the one I am putting into Thunderbird. I dont use application passwords as I have 2 step verification on.

Balázs Meskó
Balázs Meskó
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Then that should be the issue. AFAIK either you don't use 2FA and allow "less secure apps", or you use 2FA and log in with application passwords.

shirleyturner6024
shirleyturner6024 Question owner
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I have just turned back on 2FA and used an application password but its still not working? I have also tried less secure passwords.

sfhowes
sfhowes
  • Top 10 Contributor
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App passwords are not needed or recommended for gmail accounts, whether or not 2FA is set on the account.

Check that you have the correct settings: imap.gmail.com on 993 or pop.gmail.com on 995 and smtp.gmail.com on 465; SSL/TLS, OAuth2 authentication, User Name = email address.

If the authentication is normal password, change it to OAuth2 for all servers, remove passwords from Saved Passwords in Preferences and accept cookies in TB Preferences/Privacy & Security. Then, restart TB and enter the account (not app) password in the OAuth window when asked to allow TB access.