Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

email accounts not interfacing with server

  • 1 reply
  • 1 has this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by Toad-Hall

more options

I have been a user of Thunderbird for 20+ years and until recently, a very happy user. On my desktop computer, I have 3 email accounts: 2- TimeWarner and 1- Gmail. On 7/1/2022 at 3:05PM, I received my last email on one of the TimeWarner accounts. Both TimeWarner accounts are set up exactly the same and have worked flawlessly for years. Why has one account suddenly stopped working? When will the other TimeWarner account stop working?

On my laptop, I have 3 Gmail accounts. All of them stopped interacting with the server on 12/21/2020. They are set up identical to the Gmail account on my desktop computer which continues to work perfectly. Why did these three accounts all stop working at the same time?

Conversation with TimeWarner technical support has not been helpful. They insist that everything on their end is working perfectly. The only help they can offer are instructions on how to transfer my Thunderbird accounts to Outlook or Spectrum webmail. Is this the end of Thunderbird? I really don't want to switch. Can you provide technical assistance so that I can get these 4 email accounts interacting with the server, or am I being forced to transfer my accounts to Outlook?

I await your prompt response.

Buck Fulmer 803-422-9295 voip2005@gmail.com

I have been a user of Thunderbird for 20+ years and until recently, a very happy user. On my desktop computer, I have 3 email accounts: 2- TimeWarner and 1- Gmail. On 7/1/2022 at 3:05PM, I received my last email on one of the TimeWarner accounts. Both TimeWarner accounts are set up exactly the same and have worked flawlessly for years. Why has one account suddenly stopped working? When will the other TimeWarner account stop working? On my laptop, I have 3 Gmail accounts. All of them stopped interacting with the server on 12/21/2020. They are set up identical to the Gmail account on my desktop computer which continues to work perfectly. Why did these three accounts all stop working at the same time? Conversation with TimeWarner technical support has not been helpful. They insist that everything on their end is working perfectly. The only help they can offer are instructions on how to transfer my Thunderbird accounts to Outlook or Spectrum webmail. Is this the end of Thunderbird? I really don't want to switch. Can you provide technical assistance so that I can get these 4 email accounts interacting with the server, or am I being forced to transfer my accounts to Outlook? I await your prompt response. Buck Fulmer 803-422-9295 voip2005@gmail.com

All Replies (1)

more options

On my laptop, I have 3 Gmail accounts. All of them stopped interacting with the server on 12/21/2020.

Is Thunderbird up to date ? You may need to use an up to date version of Thunderbird in order to use the most recent requirements set by gmail.

Exit Thundrebird after updating. In the Firewall, is Thunderbird set up to be an allowed program. If no then add it. If yes, then remove, ok it. Access Firewall again and set up to allow Thunderbird and ok it.

Please note: gmail have made changes to what they will accept as Authentication Method.

You may need to make necessary changes to settings.

    Select 'Menu app icon' > 'Preferences' > 'Privacy & Security ' 

Under 'Web Content'

  • Select 'Accept cookies from sites'

It may also be a good idea to make exception:

Remove stored passwords: In Passwords section

  • Click on 'Saved Passwords'
  • Click on 'Show Passwords'
  • You will see some lines that start the following for each gmail account.
  • Select each line - mailbox:// (if pop), imap://, smtp:// oauth://(if set up previously)
  • click on 'REmove'
  • When all removed.
  • Click on Close'

Now make changes to Account Settings:

  • Right click on gmail pop/imap account name in Folder Pane and select 'Settings'

This opens the Account Settings in new tab The pop/imap account name should be selected Look bottom right for Outgoing Server (SMTP)

  • Click on 'Edit Server _SMTP' button
  • Note the 'Description' field set as something useful like same as username
  • Set Authentication Method : OAuth2
  • make sure user name is full gmail email address
  • Click on OK

Now set the incoming authentication:

  • select 'Server Settings' for gmail account
  • Set Authentication Method : OAuth2
  • make sure user name is full gmail email address

Repeat for each gmail account.

Exit Thunderbird. Wait a few moments for background processes to complete and then restart

At prompts enter required info and make sure to select to remember password.