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Can't install my second email account although all entries are correct. Error message says email or password likely incorrect.

  • 10 replies
  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by sfhowes

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I have two computers and two email accounts (one personal and one hobby). On the first computer, I loaded both email accounts on Thunderbird and they work perfectly. While that computer is off, I loaded Thunderbird on my second computer and was able to create an account for one of my email addresses but I can't create the second email account. Both computers are running Win 10 and both have auto update so I think they are running the same version. When I type in the second email address, Thunderbird automatically and correctly says it has found the settings but when it tests the password, I get an error message that either the account name or password are likely bad. I have manually inputted the data but get the same error message. I have checked back on my first computer and I am putting in the correct data but the program will still not progress to install the second email address on the second computer. Any ideas? Dan

I have two computers and two email accounts (one personal and one hobby). On the first computer, I loaded both email accounts on Thunderbird and they work perfectly. While that computer is off, I loaded Thunderbird on my second computer and was able to create an account for one of my email addresses but I can't create the second email account. Both computers are running Win 10 and both have auto update so I think they are running the same version. When I type in the second email address, Thunderbird automatically and correctly says it has found the settings but when it tests the password, I get an error message that either the account name or password are likely bad. I have manually inputted the data but get the same error message. I have checked back on my first computer and I am putting in the correct data but the program will still not progress to install the second email address on the second computer. Any ideas? Dan

All Replies (10)

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Who is your email provider?

What type of account are you trying to set up - POP or IMAP?

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Sorry it took me so long to reply. I couldn’t figure out how to do it. My provider is “bellsouth.net” and the type is POP. Regards, Dan

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Are you using a 'secure mail key' in place of the regular account password? The recommended settings are: inbound.att.net on port 995, SSL/TLS security, authentication = normal password, User Name = email address; outbound.att.net on port 465, SSL/TLS security, authentication = normal password, User Name = email address.

https://www.att.com/support/article/email-support/KM1010523/

If you change to a secure key, remove the password from Options/Security/Passwords/Saved Passwords, restart TB, and enter the key when prompted.

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Will this secure key require me to change settings on my first computer as well as my iPad, both which work fine with the existing normal password?

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I don't know about the iPad, and the first computer might still work with the normal password, until you change it. If the second computer works with the key, see if the first one still works or not. If not, replace the normal password with the key.

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I would rather not change the password as the password is associated with more than just the two computers and iPad. I don't understand why I was able to put in the two bellsouth.net email accounts without difficulty in computer one but it will not allow me to do so in computer two. Although I am running the same version (I checked even though the build is different) of Win 10 the computers are different so the bias is to some degree different. Maybe that is the problem. ????? I am snowed. Dan

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BIOS (fast typing got me)

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A normal password might work on the iPad or other mobile device, but not with TB, because the mail provider has different rules for authenticating from a mobile device or a desktop computer. Secure mail keys and OAuth2 authentication are being required now by Yahoo-type providers, which includes AT&T. I don't have a Bellsouth account to test, but I'd expect the best method is to use the Yahoo servers with OAuth2 authentication:

pop.mail.yahoo.com on port 995, SSL/TLS, authentication = OAuth2, and similarly for the outgoing server smtp.mail.yahoo.com on port 465, SSL/TLS, authentication = OAuth2.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1282410

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The iPad uses Outlook for email but the number one computer uses TB and I am using the normal password on both email "bellsouth.net" addresses. On the second computer with TB I am using the normal password on one of the "bellsouth.net" email addresses but it will not let me set up the second email address. I need to think about your comments and maybe, just as you say, I need to change OAuth2 and then change everything else. Maybe it would be easier to use an email program rather than TB on the two computers. I am not sure what I could or should use. Many thanks for your comments. Dan

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If the 2nd address won't work, check that POP or IMAP is enabled in the account settings when viewed on the bellsouth webmail page. IMAP is usually enabled by default, because that's what most mobile devices use, but POP often has to be switched on.