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After update to 78 Thunderbird no longer receives mail

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  • Igcine ukuphendulwa ngu ariane3

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I've used Thunderbird for years. After the most recent update in late July 2020 (78.0.1), Thunderbird no longer works. It will not download new mail. It does connect to the IMAP server but then gets to "checking mail server capabilities" and hangs with the spinning circle indefinitely.

I have not done anything to Thunderbird, I just let it install the update. I did not install updates to any other program on my PC. I'm running Windows 10 on a laptop that is about 4 months old. Thunderbird worked absolutely fine before the 78 update.

I am not experiencing any connection issues or problems with any other running programs.

I have tried the following fixes already: 1. Checking my account configuration and confirming it is correct with my email provider. I have the correct ports listed and correct server names. 2. Changing the timeout setting from 100 to 2000. 3. I am able to access my email on my provider's Web interface so this isn't a password issue. There is no CAPTCHA required either. 4. I checked my anti-virus/anti-malware program (Kapersky). Thunderbird and Mozilla are both listed in the "allowed apps" list. I tried removing them both and re-adding, as well as searching for other variations of Mozilla/Thunderbird to add. I also tried Kapersky's "refresh" function. 5. I tried restarting my computer. 6. I tried rebooting my wireless Internet connection. 7. I tried using Thunderbird's "start in safe mode with apps disabled" function. 8. I tried re-installing 78. 9. I tried clearing caches and cleaning with CC Cleaner.

Nothing has worked. Something in the 78.0.1 update has messed things up. Thank you for looking into this.

I've used Thunderbird for years. After the most recent update in late July 2020 (78.0.1), Thunderbird no longer works. It will not download new mail. It does connect to the IMAP server but then gets to "checking mail server capabilities" and hangs with the spinning circle indefinitely. I have not done anything to Thunderbird, I just let it install the update. I did not install updates to any other program on my PC. I'm running Windows 10 on a laptop that is about 4 months old. Thunderbird worked absolutely fine before the 78 update. I am not experiencing any connection issues or problems with any other running programs. I have tried the following fixes already: 1. Checking my account configuration and confirming it is correct with my email provider. I have the correct ports listed and correct server names. 2. Changing the timeout setting from 100 to 2000. 3. I am able to access my email on my provider's Web interface so this isn't a password issue. There is no CAPTCHA required either. 4. I checked my anti-virus/anti-malware program (Kapersky). Thunderbird and Mozilla are both listed in the "allowed apps" list. I tried removing them both and re-adding, as well as searching for other variations of Mozilla/Thunderbird to add. I also tried Kapersky's "refresh" function. 5. I tried restarting my computer. 6. I tried rebooting my wireless Internet connection. 7. I tried using Thunderbird's "start in safe mode with apps disabled" function. 8. I tried re-installing 78. 9. I tried clearing caches and cleaning with CC Cleaner. Nothing has worked. Something in the 78.0.1 update has messed things up. Thank you for looking into this.

All Replies (17)

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john443 said

Why are the passwords from 60.1... to 78.2 not available, imported, whatever you want to call it. Is this problem have to do with the database changes mentioned in another thread??

Two things. Most issues related to can not download new mail on windows are the ubiquitous anti virus fouling the water, not Thunderbird. Unfortunately it is an issue that appears after every update and will continue on until people stop using anti virus product for software fire walls and to scan email/ Secure connections.

Just because the initial prompt for a new password appears does not mean the passwords did not migrate, just that they did not work when presented. Checking the password store in option is the only way to know what exactly is stored there. Those using things like Norton, last pass and other password and security software are often finding no passwords are stored because that product has them in it's vault. Again nothing to do with Thunderbird.

Thunderbird 78 has increased the level of security on encrypted connections to TLS V1.2 in line this the agreement between Google, Microsoft, Apple and Mozilla to remove support for the decades old previous versions. This change has shone a light into some seriously poor security with some providers. Perhaps yours is affected. Entering the server you use and the port into this web site will report on it's status with regard to a number of things business related like HIPPA for medicine and the storage and use of credit cards. https://www.htbridge.com/ssl/. Unfortunately it was sort of assumed that a protocol that was superseded more than a decade ago would not be the latest offered, but reality is showing things differently. More information on TLS here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transport_Layer_Security

However if you have an issue the best approach is to ask your own question. Long experience of dealing with folks that say they have the same issue is that almost invariably it is not the same issue. This is especially the case when the original poster had things working using the information you find does not work for you.

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On 8/19/20, kotouc74 posted

"Try to change in THUNDERBIRD preferences editor security.tls.version.min from 3 to 1

From the menu at the top right, go to Options. Scroll all the way to the bottom and click on Config Editor. Skip past the warning. Scroll down until you find security.tls.version.min (or paste security.tls.version.min to upper frame) Double click on it, and set the value to 1

Mozilla disabled TLS 1.0 and 1.1 in the latest versions of Firefox and Thunderbird. Thunderbird 73b and above. This causes issues with anyone connecting via SSL/TLS/StartTLS to services uses 1.1."

Our versions of Thunderbird automatically updated today to v78.2.2 causing these same problems.

Config Editor does not appear under Options in this version. Is it located somewhere else?

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tim.pannone

  • Menu app icon > Options
  • In left pane Choose 'General'
  • Scroll down to the bottom

Then you will find 'Config Editor' button lurking in bottom right corner.

  • click on 'Config Editor' button
  • Say ok to the warning.
  • In search type: tls.version
  • look for this line :security.tls.version.min
  • double click on that line to get an edit window
  • Remove the content and type: 1
  • click on Ok

Restart Thunderbird.

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Thanks Toad-Hall.

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Thank you! To tim.pannone and Toad-Hall. Worked perfectly.

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I have the same problem with v78. It connects to the server, but can only read messages if I select "No security" instead of SSL/TLS. Successfully loaded OTR library libotr-5.dll from C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Thunderbird\libotr-5.dll OTRLib.jsm:43:13 [Exception... "Component returned failure code: 0x80520001 (NS_ERROR_FILE_UNRECOGNIZED_PATH) [nsIXPCComponents_Utils.readUTF8URI]" nsresult: "0x80520001 (NS_ERROR_FILE_UNRECOGNIZED_PATH)" location: "JS frame :: resource://gre/modules/L10nRegistry.jsm :: L10nRegistry.loadSync :: line 658" data: no] 2 L10nRegistry.jsm:658:19 NS_ERROR_NOT_AVAILABLE: PreferDisplayName: undefined - not a boolean 2 AddrBookCard.jsm:199 [Exception... "Component returned failure code: 0x80520001 (NS_ERROR_FILE_UNRECOGNIZED_PATH) [nsIXPCComponents_Utils.readUTF8URI]" nsresult: "0x80520001 (NS_ERROR_FILE_UNRECOGNIZED_PATH)" location: "JS frame :: resource://gre/modules/L10nRegistry.jsm :: L10nRegistry.loadSync :: line 658" data: no] 2 L10nRegistry.jsm:658:19 NS_ERROR_NOT_AVAILABLE: PreferDisplayName: undefined - not a boolean

Will v78 soon be fixed ? Thank you.

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eric.hannouz said

I Will v78 soon be fixed ? Thank you.

No! The problem is with your mail providers server, not Thunderbird. You can apply the fix offered by Toad Hall in this thread to reduce your security, or you can just not use TLS. As your provider does not support modern versions of that protocol (Not one released in the last decade) your choices are few. But most notably require you the consumer to put pressure on your provider to update their security as neither reduced security or none would be your preferred choice.

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Same problem. Lost the ability to send or receive mail the same day (Nov. 7) as the new update. I checked my ISP and no problem at that end. I followed the instructions on the Thunderbird Help page and deleted my incoming (IMAP) password. Thunderbird was then supposed to send a request for a new password. The request took several hours to arrive. I typed in the password and instantly 127 emails came hurtling into my inbox. The program worked fine for 24 hours, then went out again. No sending, no receiving. I repeated the sequence above. This time it took overnight for the new password request to arrive. Same results: Thunderbird was back. Perfect. It's out again this morning. All my account settings look okay. I don't want to delete the IMAP password again because I don't know when or if you will prompt me to replace it. I am ignoring the suggestions you gave to anonpleaseanon because I don't use Kapersky. And given his/her experience with losing hundreds of emails, I am not about to uninstall and reinstall Thunderbird. I have at least 20 folders containing business and personal emails that I can't risk losing. I wish I knew how to export them to anywhere else. For the moment I am notifying the most important people on my contact list to use a supplementary gmail account I have. I hate it, and I love the Thunderbird interface, so I hope I can use it again soon. For the record, I am 83 years old and not particularly knowledgeable about computers (I just figured out the difference between an email client and an ISP.) So please do not ask me to do something that requires an IT degree. Just tell me, please, when you are going to fix the update that has killed my Thunderbird. Thank you.

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Filatura

The issue being discussed in this thread seems to be related to the servers not supporting the latest TLS protocol. Changing either the Security Connection or better still changing the minimum level of TLS allowed would fix these issues.

You do not mention whether you followed any of those instructions, so I can only assume your issue has nothing to do with the TLS problem being discussed in this question.

You mention : re :I followed the instructions on the Thunderbird Help page and deleted my incoming (IMAP) password. But I have no idea what 'Help' page you are talking about because you did not provide the link. It would help me and others if we knew what instructions you had followed.

re:Thunderbird was then supposed to send a request for a new password. The request took several hours to arrive. After deleting the password in Thunderbird , a restart of Thunderbird would have instantly asked you to enter the password if your account setup says to check for mail on startup. This has nothing to do with a 'new password'.

It would take hours if: you did not restart Thunderbird to force a server connection and you did not ask to check for new messages and your account settings do not check the account for hours.

then you mention needing to go through the same performance again - I am assuming that you are not accessing server and recreating a new password. When entering the password - if you did not select the checkbox for Password Manager remember the password, then it would only work for that session. As soon as you exited Thunderbird, it would have been deleted. In addition :If you have other software like CCleaner or something in your Anti-Virus that cleans up files then the session file or saved passwords could have been removed/deleted by that software. You should not have any software being allowed access to Thunderbird profile folder. Thunderbird needs to be exempt.

It would be helpful to know: Did you select the checkbox for Password Manager to remember the password ? If yes, is it stored in Thunderbird? What server you are talking about? What settings do you have for that account in the Account Settings > Server Settings?

The point is this: This question - cannot receive emails - is not relevant to you. You are definately getting a connection and able to download emails when password is rentered, so it is not a TLS issue and assuming you are not changing the password each time, it is obviously not an incorrect password issue.

But it might be an issue with not storing the password or you have another program deleting the stored passwords and at the same time you may have not so good server settings to check more frequently.

So if the information I have mentioned does not sort out the problem, I strongly suggest you create your own question, because when you post a comment in someone elses question, you are sending an email to them and anyone else who has made a comment who also happens to be still following the question. They may not be able to help. Creating your own question will display it to anyone viewing the forum and you will get a more personalised response.

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KeMo said

It is quicker to change the settings in TB 78, then "moving" the ISP. Go to Configuration editor and search security.tls.version.min. Change the value from 3 to 1. Everything works again. Thanks to: https://help.blacknight.com/hc/en-us/articles/360011553098-Issues-with-Thunderbird-78-?mobile_site=true

This advice really worked! Very grateful KeMo!

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Toad-Hall: Suggest you try:

  • Port 143
  • Connection Security : none
  • Authentication method: normal password.

NOTE TO ALL, I had the same problem (can send, but not receive) when my Win10 suddenly upgraded (on its own) to 78.5.0, this solution worked for me. All waiting emails just downloaded from the server, but unlike the OP, all my folders are still there. My only question now is, am I living dangerously without the SSL/TLS security I was using previously?

Glad I found this thread.

Andy P

Okulungisiwe ngu list1

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list1 re :am I living dangerously without the SSL/TLS security I was using previously?

If it works when you change the port to 143 and connection security to 'none', then it should work if you reset those server settings back to original settings and change the minimum security level to 1 via 'security.tls.version.min'. The minimum security will be the same as you were using back in version 68. It is not the best, but you cannot help the server using an older version, but, it is better than using none.

  • Menu app icon > Options
  • In left pane Choose 'General'
  • Scroll down to the bottom

Then you will find 'Config Editor' button lurking in bottom right corner.

  • click on 'Config Editor' button
  • Say ok to the warning.
  • In search type: tls.version
  • look for this line :security.tls.version.min
  • double click on that line to get an edit window
  • Remove the content and type: 1
  • click on Ok

Restart Thunderbird.

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Hi, I am having both ISP accounts as a Gmail accounts. Tried everything I read in this and other treads and still not downloading any mail. Don't know what to do next, any idears? Regards, Ariane

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ariane3 Gmail will be using up to date TLS protocol and so will not apply to you. The issue in this question is very specific and has nothing to do with your problem. If you are using POP accounts then log on to webmail account and reselect 'less secure apps' option as Gmail may be deliberately blocking you. https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/6010255?hl=en

I strongly suggest you ask your own question.

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Toad-Hall said

There has been a load of issues reported when an auto update has occurred and it is always some update software. As something may have wrong awry, I suggest you uninstall Thunderbird then download and reinstall version 78.0.1 from this link. https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/all/ Please report back on results.

I did uninstall and reinstall. No luck getting into my gmail accounts from T-bird like always worked before latest update. Also, it keeps installing at 32 bit rather than 64 bit. Could that be part of the problem? I have several gmail accounts for different aspects of my life and T-bird ALWAYS allowed me to switch and download them. Now, nothing and it is really a problem.

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janettedavie1 re :It keeps installing at 32 bit rather than 64 bit. Could that be part of the problem?

No. It has been designed to work that way. It had me confused at first until I checked it out. You need to understand that the suggested reinstall was due to a particular update - 78.0.1, not the most recent. The person who posted this question probably does not want to have a load of emails sent to them. It would be better if you created your own question. State whether you use pop or imap.

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SOLUTION FOR ME!

This morning I decided to have another look at the Thunderbird problem and I found that this page https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/cannot-receive-messages under "Did your ability to receive mail suddenly stop? Was it working before?" had a new possibility that caused the problem:

This did the trick and I am very happy now because it's all working! All mail since 30-11 came in. I hope this helps some other people.

Regards, Ariane

Okulungisiwe ngu NoahSUMO

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