Thunderbird unable to access gmail any more - SOLUTION FOUND
Ok, found the solution. To clarify, the VAST majority of the so-called "answers" are just absurd nonsense.
Symptom - attempt to login to gmail and download/send email and Thunderbird offers popup saying can't login. Then another popup appears saying to enter your Google password. You enter your Google password and it's not recognized by Thunderbird and the same popup asking for password appears. Infuriating circle of frustration, as you are indeed entering the correct Google password. HOWEVER, the password you need to enter is a special one-time password that's different than your main Google password. So you need to generate that one-time special password and enter it into that infuriating popup in Thunderbird.
Solution: Log in to your Google Account. Select My Account > Sign-in and Security > App Passwords > Select the app and devices you want to generate password for > Generate. Then copy/paste this one-time password into that infuriating popup box in Thunderbird (mine was 16 character p/w automatically generated by Google - I presume everyone else's will be too)
This will generate that elusive password you need to allow Thunderbird to access your gmail again and work like normal (it's a one-time password, so don't have to remember it).
Have to say, most people who respond to these questions should be lined up against the wall - seems like every cockamamie, half-baked, inappropriate "answer" is offered. And it's typically cryptic, incomplete and generally worthless.
All Replies (3)
Or you could use the most recommended solution of using oauth authentication, but I guess you missed that one.
I am looking forward to you sticking around and sharing your vast knowledge with the group. We could us a SMART guy like you.
@Airmail, your snarky, worthless "expert" reply proves my point. What the H is "oauth authentication"??? What everyday Thunderbird user has a clue what you are talking about? And no, despite repeated searches, I didn't find any solution - all were closed threads with no resolution, although there were plenty of wrong/misleading "answers". I had to spend a couple of hours trying to find what was needed - rather than find a quick, accurate solution that should take less than 5 minutes to resolve. Got so disgusted at such a huge waste of time I specifically registered to write this solution - just so you "experts" can spout more jargon and worthless replies?
If you're going to be a useful "expert", don't write jargon to people who aren't. Give explicit, non-technical answers. Point EXACTLY what should be done. Don't just link to a "help" page and call it a day.
Oauth is an Internet authentication format that gmail is trying to force on email. But you do not want answers. You just want to bitch.. Get a grade school kid to explain it to you. You come in here blowing off like you discovered a new world and insulting the volunteers, then expect someone to help you. It does not work that way.