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Troubleshooting Common Thunderbird Errors: A Complete Guide

Author: Mozilla Thunderbird Services
by Mozilla Thunderbird Services
Posted: Jun 30, 2025

Mozilla Thunderbird is one of the most popular free email clients, widely used for its reliability, customizability, and user-friendly interface. However, like any software, it sometimes encounters errors that can disrupt your email experience. Whether you are unable to send or receive emails, face startup issues, or experience performance problems, understanding how to diagnose and fix Thunderbird errors is essential.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common Thunderbird errors and provide step-by-step solutions to help you get back on track. If you need personalized support, you can also call the Thunderbird technical support helpline at 1-872-777-1190 for expert assistance.

Common Thunderbird Errors and How to Fix Them1. Thunderbird Not Receiving Emails

Symptoms:

  • New emails don’t appear in the inbox.

  • Thunderbird shows "No new messages," even when you know there are emails waiting.

  • Emails get stuck in the Outbox or drafts folder.

Causes:

  • Incorrect incoming mail server (IMAP/POP3) settings.

  • Network or internet connection issues.

  • Email account password changed but not updated in Thunderbird.

  • Mailbox full or quota exceeded.

  • Corrupt Thunderbird profile or folder index.

Solutions:

  • Verify your incoming server settings:

    Go to Tools> Account Settings> Server Settings and confirm that the server name, port number, and security settings match your email provider’s recommendations.

  • Check your internet connection and firewall settings that may block Thunderbird from connecting.

  • Update your password in Thunderbird if you recently changed it on your email provider’s website.

  • Clear folder index by right-clicking the folder, select Properties, then click Repair Folder.

  • If the mailbox is full, delete unnecessary emails via webmail.

If you continue to experience issues, call Thunderbird support at 1-872-777-1190 for help.

2. Thunderbird Not Sending Emails

Symptoms:

  • Emails remain in the Outbox and are never sent.

  • Thunderbird shows errors like "Sending of message failed" or "SMTP server error."

  • Sudden failure to send emails without changes in settings.

Causes:

  • Incorrect outgoing mail server (SMTP) settings.

  • Authentication failure due to wrong username/password.

  • ISP or network blocking port 25 (default SMTP port).

  • Firewall or antivirus software blocking Thunderbird’s outgoing connection.

Solutions:

  • Double-check SMTP settings by navigating to Account Settings> Outgoing Server (SMTP). Make sure the server name, port, and security protocols are correct according to your email provider.

  • Verify your login credentials for SMTP are up to date.

  • Change SMTP port to 587 or 465 if 25 is blocked.

  • Temporarily disable firewall/antivirus and check if emails send successfully.

  • Contact your internet service provider if port blocking is suspected.

For detailed troubleshooting, contact the Thunderbird helpline at 1-872-777-1190.

3. Thunderbird Won’t Start or Open

Symptoms:

  • Clicking the Thunderbird icon does nothing.

  • Thunderbird appears to start but immediately crashes.

  • Error messages like "Thunderbird is already running but is not responding."

Causes:

  • Thunderbird process running in the background.

  • Corrupt Thunderbird profile.

  • Software conflicts or corrupted installation files.

Solutions:

  • Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), look for "thunderbird.exe" processes, and end them. Then restart Thunderbird.

  • Start Thunderbird in Safe Mode:

    Press Windows + R, type thunderbird -safe-mode and press Enter. If Thunderbird starts, the problem is likely due to an add-on or theme. Disable them one by one to find the culprit.

  • Create a new profile using Thunderbird Profile Manager:

    Run thunderbird -ProfileManager and create a new profile.

  • If the issue persists, uninstall Thunderbird, download the latest version from the official site, and reinstall.

If you’re stuck, call 1-872-777-1190 for professional assistance.

4. Thunderbird Freezes or Crashes Frequently

Symptoms:

  • Thunderbird freezes during startup or while reading/sending emails.

  • Random crashes with or without error messages.

Causes:

  • Conflicting add-ons or extensions.

  • Large mail folders or corrupt emails.

  • Outdated Thunderbird version.

  • Insufficient system resources.

Solutions:

  • Update Thunderbird to the latest version.

  • Start Thunderbird in Safe Mode (thunderbird -safe-mode) to disable add-ons and see if the problem persists.

  • Compact folders: Right-click a folder, then select Compact to free up space and remove deleted messages permanently.

  • Repair corrupt folders by right-clicking, selecting Properties, then Repair Folder.

  • Move large attachments outside Thunderbird and archive old emails.

For persistent crashes, support is available at 1-872-777-1190.

5. Thunderbird Password Prompt Keeps Appearing

Symptoms:

  • Thunderbird repeatedly asks for your email password.

  • Unable to save passwords or authentication fails.

Causes:

  • Incorrect password saved in Thunderbird’s password manager.

  • Email server requiring OAuth or different authentication method.

  • Corrupt password database in Thunderbird.

Solutions:

  • Remove saved passwords: Go to Options> Privacy & Security> Saved Passwords, then remove your account credentials and re-enter them on next prompt.

  • Verify if your email provider requires OAuth2 and change settings under Account Settings> Server Settings to use the correct authentication method.

  • Reset Thunderbird’s password manager by deleting the signons.sqlite and key3.db files in your profile folder (backup first).

For step-by-step help, call 1-872-777-1190.

6. Attachment Issues in Thunderbird

Symptoms:

  • Unable to open or download attachments.

  • Attachments are corrupted or missing.

Causes:

  • Antivirus software blocking or quarantining attachments.

  • Corrupt email data files.

  • Outdated Thunderbird version.

Solutions:

  • Temporarily disable antivirus and check if attachments open.

  • Update Thunderbird to the latest version.

  • Save attachments to disk before opening.

  • Repair affected folders.

If you need more help, contact Thunderbird support at 1-872-777-1190.

Tips to Prevent Thunderbird Errors
  • Always keep Thunderbird updated to the latest version for security patches and bug fixes.

  • Backup your Thunderbird profile regularly to avoid data loss.

  • Use reputable antivirus and firewall software, configured to allow Thunderbird connections.

  • Avoid installing too many add-ons, and keep them updated.

  • Compact your mail folders regularly to maintain performance.

When to Contact Support

If you’ve tried these troubleshooting steps and still face issues, professional help can save you time and frustration. Call the Thunderbird support team at 1-872-777-1190 for expert guidance. They can assist with advanced diagnostics, data recovery, and configuration help tailored to your email account and system environment.

Conclusion

Thunderbird is a robust email client, but errors can occur due to various reasons including incorrect settings, software conflicts, or corrupted data. Understanding common issues like email sending/receiving failures, startup problems, and freezes can help you quickly resolve most errors on your own.

Remember, expert help is always available if needed — just dial 1-872-777-1190 to reach a professional Thunderbird support specialist ready to assist you. With the right guidance, you’ll have your Thunderbird email working smoothly again in no time.

About the Author

Get reliable help with Mozilla Thunderbird by calling our support team at +1-872-777-1190 or (833) 800-3030. From installation to troubleshooting, our Thunderbird Support is available 24/7 to assist with all your technical needs.

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Author: Mozilla Thunderbird Services

Mozilla Thunderbird Services

Member since: Jun 27, 2025
Published articles: 12

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