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Could not change my password - now I can't even see it!

  • 3 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 5 views
  • Last reply by Toad-Hall

fsn257
fsn257
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I've been using Thunderbird to archive my large email correspondence. Once in a while, I open Thunderbird and download everything from my online email account for safekeeping. In the mean time I don't access Thunderbird at all.

This time around, I waited rather long before downloading, so Thunderbird was therefore very outdated by the time I goet around to it (version 31.1). I had also changed the password to my online email account. I fired up the password manager to change the password in Thunderbird, right-clicked on my profile... I was only given the option to copy the password, not to change it.

After messing around a lot trying to find out what was wrong, I decided I was wasting my time, so I downloaded version 78.2.1., installed it, and returned to the password manager. Now my account doesn't show up at all in the Saved Logins box!

I guess Thunderbird still remembers the password, since it starts successfully. But I can't download any messages, since the password is no longer valid for my email provider.

I tried (as someone here recommended in a slightly different case) to remove keys.db (actually key3.db and key 4.db) and signons.sqlite from ...\Thunderbird\Profiles, but it had no effect at all. Nor did it have any effect when I put them back again.

Thanks for any and all answers. I'm at my wit's end.

I've been using Thunderbird to archive my large email correspondence. Once in a while, I open Thunderbird and download everything from my online email account for safekeeping. In the mean time I don't access Thunderbird at all. This time around, I waited rather long before downloading, so Thunderbird was therefore very outdated by the time I goet around to it (version 31.1). I had also changed the password to my online email account. I fired up the password manager to change the password in Thunderbird, right-clicked on my profile... I was only given the option to copy the password, not to change it. After messing around a lot trying to find out what was wrong, I decided I was wasting my time, so I downloaded version 78.2.1., installed it, and returned to the password manager. Now my account doesn't show up at all in the Saved Logins box! I guess Thunderbird still remembers the password, since it starts successfully. But I can't download any messages, since the password is no longer valid for my email provider. I tried (as someone here recommended in a slightly different case) to remove keys.db (actually key3.db and key 4.db) and signons.sqlite from ...\Thunderbird\Profiles, but it had no effect at all. Nor did it have any effect when I put them back again. Thanks for any and all answers. I'm at my wit's end.

All Replies (3)

Toad-Hall
Toad-Hall
  • Top 25 Contributor
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re : so Thunderbird was therefore very outdated by the time I goet around to it (version 31.1).

True. About 6 years outdated.

re :I guess Thunderbird still remembers the password, since it starts successfully. Thunderbird does not need a password to start. But if you created a Master Password then it may prompt for it.

re : I can't download any messages, since the password is no longer valid for my email provider. Update the password.

  • Menu app icon > Options > Privacy & Security
  • Scroll down to 'Passwords' section
  • Click on 'Saved Passwords' button
  • click on 'Show Passwords' button

Each mail account will have two lines, one for incoming one for smtp outgoing. Right click on appropriate line and select 'Edit Password'. Remove the old one and type in the correct one. Do this for both the incoming and the outgoing.

Restart Thunderbird.

fsn257
fsn257 Question owner
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Dear Toad-Hall, Thanks for your prompt reply. I'm sorry to say, though, that it didn't solve my problem.

re: Thunderbird does not need a password to start. But if you created a Master Password then it may prompt for it.

I have not created a Master Password; I did, however, have a regular password for the account. This is outdated, so I can't retrieve messages

re: Update the password. 

   Menu app icon > Options > Privacy & Security
   Scroll down to 'Passwords' section
   Click on 'Saved Passwords' button
   click on 'Show Passwords' button ...

I tried this before (and again, now), but when I get to the Saved logins dialogue, the list of Providers is empty and all buttons (including the Show Passwords button) are grayed out (except for the Close button).

I don't think there is anything obvious that I haven't tried... Very thankful for any further ideas you might have!

Toad-Hall
Toad-Hall
  • Top 25 Contributor
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Had a thought..... the 'pkcs11.txt' file in the profile folders.

Security module database. cert8.db, key3.db, and secmod.db were replaced by cert9.db, key4.db, and pkcs11.txt. There have been several reports of passwords not being saved when upgrading to version 60.2.1 that were solved by deleting the pkcs11.txt file whilst Thunderbird was closed.