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Import failed unexpectedly: Could not open file at /run/user/..../tmp-profile/prefs.js

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  • Last reply by david

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So many problems....

I tried to import a zip of older emails (please note that I have successfully imported this file 2-3yrs ago)

When attempting to import I get the following error message "Import failed unexpectedly, more information may be available in the Error Console"

So the first problem is that there is no information on how to even view the error console! I spent over an hour searching terms and reading through other posts where people ask "How do I open the error console" and their questions GETS IGNORED

Then I found a post saying you can view the Error Console via (Menu) -> Tools -> Developer Tools -> Error Console Except when I tried to open developer tools all of a sudden TBird received an unknown connection from outside the local network WTF!!!

Then I found another post saying press CTRL+SHIFT+J to open error console. WHY IS THIS INFORMATION HIDDEN!!!! WHY IS THERE NO ARTICLE ABOUT IT! Why cant you open the error console from the menu!!!!!!! I wasted hours and lots of effort on such a pointless thing

Once I found the error console I found the following error: Uncaught (in promise) DOMException: Could not open the file at /run/user/1000/app/org.mozilla.Thunderbird/tmp-profile/prefs.js

Thinking that the problem is file access since flatpaks are notorious for being picky about file permissions I temporarily unlocked the permissions (using flatseal) and restarted thunderbird ...at which point my existing email accounts disappeared!!!

I am completely unamused!

<tl:dr> Running Thunderbird 115.2.0 (64-bit) via Flatpak on an Ubuntu 20 kernal Attempting to import a zip of old emails results in "Import failed unexpectedly, more information may be available in the Error Console" because of the error Uncaught (in promise) DOMException: Could not open the file at /run/user/1000/app/org.mozilla.Thunderbird/tmp-profile/prefs.js this file has previously been imported 2-3yrs ago (when import was still an addon)

How do I import the file

So many problems.... I tried to import a zip of older emails (please note that I have successfully imported this file 2-3yrs ago) When attempting to import I get the following error message "Import failed unexpectedly, more information may be available in the Error Console" So the first problem is that there is no information on how to even view the error console! I spent over an hour searching terms and reading through other posts where people ask "How do I open the error console" and their questions GETS IGNORED Then I found a post saying you can view the Error Console via (Menu) -> Tools -> Developer Tools -> Error Console Except when I tried to open developer tools all of a sudden TBird received an unknown connection from outside the local network '''WTF!!!''' Then I found another post saying press CTRL+SHIFT+J to open error console. WHY IS THIS INFORMATION HIDDEN!!!! WHY IS THERE NO ARTICLE ABOUT IT! Why cant you open the error console from the menu!!!!!!! I wasted hours and lots of effort on such a pointless thing Once I found the error console I found the following error: '''Uncaught (in promise) DOMException: Could not open the file at /run/user/1000/app/org.mozilla.Thunderbird/tmp-profile/prefs.js''' Thinking that the problem is file access since flatpaks are notorious for being picky about file permissions I temporarily unlocked the permissions (using flatseal) and restarted thunderbird ...at which point my existing email accounts disappeared!!! I am completely unamused! <tl:dr> Running Thunderbird 115.2.0 (64-bit) via Flatpak on an Ubuntu 20 kernal Attempting to import a zip of old emails results in '''"Import failed unexpectedly, more information may be available in the Error Console"''' because of the error '''Uncaught (in promise) DOMException: Could not open the file at /run/user/1000/app/org.mozilla.Thunderbird/tmp-profile/prefs.js''' this file has previously been imported 2-3yrs ago (when import was still an addon) How do I import the file

All Replies (4)

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I am not a Linux expert, but to clarify: if the zip just email folders, or is it the full profile? Assuming a full profile, my suggestion is to first unzip and then use tools>import>import from another thunderbird installation. If it is just email folders, I suggest unzipping and copying the individual folders to Mail\Local Folders.

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@david

While this is NOT a solution, unzipping it into Local Folders did provide me with access (not that finding the local folders was fun).

Thank you for your assistance.

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duplicate post

Modified by borgrel

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I'm glad you were able to get it working.