Unable to connect to IMAP - Exceeded Maximum Number of Connections
Everytime I start up Thunderbird, I get an error stating: "Unable to connect to your imap server. you may have exceeded the maximum number of connections to this server. If so, use the Advanced IMAP Server settings dialog to reduce the number of cached connections." (See attached image). I am unable to figure out how to fix this.
I have the most up to date version of Thunderbird. I use THunderbird to manage 5 different IMAP accounts.
THanks
Chosen solution
Suggest you exit Thunderbird and switch off phone and wait a while whilst you have a cup of coffee and restart Thunderbird.
Connections need to close and sometimes the server is not exactly as quick to recognise connection has been dropped.
Note: if you have a phone that you use to connect to mail account, it may also have opened connections. The server will only allow x number of connections and that means Thunderbird and phone are included in total. Apple phones are well known for not disconnecting.
Please switch off phone to force connections to disconnect.
In Thunderbird, suggest you increase the number of minutes for checking for new mail - not less than 10.
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Hello zashaikh, that has been a pretty common Problem with some Thunderbird users but it doesn't have a super hard fix. What you do is change the number of connections. Below are the listed steps. 1. Go to "Edit" 2. Next go to "Account Settings" 3. Then go to "Server Settings" 4. Finally click "Advanced", and Then "Maximum Number of server connections to cache". Change the maximum number from 5 to 1 and the issue should have been solved!
If you think I helped, I would highly appreciate if you vouched(aka confirm I helped) me on Mozillians. Vouch Link: https://mozillians.org/en-US/u/Tommy/. Thank you for your awesome question and, Stay Safe!
Do I do this with all 5 of my IMAP accounts?
Yes, Change the number 5 to 1 in "Maximum Number of server connections to cache"
I did this to all of my emails. But its still happening
Chosen Solution
Suggest you exit Thunderbird and switch off phone and wait a while whilst you have a cup of coffee and restart Thunderbird.
Connections need to close and sometimes the server is not exactly as quick to recognise connection has been dropped.
Note: if you have a phone that you use to connect to mail account, it may also have opened connections. The server will only allow x number of connections and that means Thunderbird and phone are included in total. Apple phones are well known for not disconnecting.
Please switch off phone to force connections to disconnect.
In Thunderbird, suggest you increase the number of minutes for checking for new mail - not less than 10.
@zashaikh, That's interesting, I thought that method was going to work as what you did was bring down the maximum number of connections to 1. I will keep researching.
Tommy's advice is correct; maximum number of connections to 1 should work, but if there is more than one device connecting (desktop, laptop, phone etc) or connected and is left in that state, then it all adds up. Then you've got to get them all disconnected and allow time for server to catch up.
Thank you everyone for the help! I have a laptop that also has all five IMAP accounts. Ill change the settings on the laptop too. Much appreicated!
Glad your happy zashaikh!