Thunderbird message "login to server failed"
Hi I use Thunderbird with 3 gmail accounts. I have recently changed my Google Account password on two of the email accounts. Thunderbird recognises one of the changed email accounts but, in respect of the other, I get a message that the login to the imap server failed. When inputting the new password, I keep getting the same error message. I went into Thunderbird passwords. On one occasion the imap server for the failed email account appeared in the list and I changed the password shown there to my new one. No success. When I returned to the passwords screen, that imap login had disappeared.
On my iPad all 3 gmail accounts are recognised without a problem.
Thanks.
Chosen solution
If you use a POP account it will use 'Authentication Method: Normal Password'
OR if you use an Imap account that uses 'Authentication Method: Normal Password'
This means gmail will require you to use that 'less secure apps' option. Unfortunately gmail will deliberately block you every once in a while and you will need to go into gmail webmail account to enable the 'less secure apps' option again. It's a pain, but gmail will repeatedly do it on occasions.
If you have an IMAP account you could change the incoming 'Authentication Method:' to use 'OAuth' and also change the Outgoing SMTP Authentication Method to OAuth. Then gmail would ask you to logon to confirm you really are you and say Thunderbird wants access. then a token is stored in the same place as the passwords and from then onwards Thunderbird will use that token to gain access to server. Gmail will not be such a pain and will stop deliberately blocking as it does not require 'less secure apps' option.
Read this answer in context 👍 0All Replies (2)
HI I've answered my own query! I found this link - https://support.google.com/mail/answer/7126229?hl=en . So I took the advice about my Google account allowing "less secure apps" and, hey presto, my failing email account worked. Cheers. Andy
Chosen Solution
If you use a POP account it will use 'Authentication Method: Normal Password'
OR if you use an Imap account that uses 'Authentication Method: Normal Password'
This means gmail will require you to use that 'less secure apps' option. Unfortunately gmail will deliberately block you every once in a while and you will need to go into gmail webmail account to enable the 'less secure apps' option again. It's a pain, but gmail will repeatedly do it on occasions.
If you have an IMAP account you could change the incoming 'Authentication Method:' to use 'OAuth' and also change the Outgoing SMTP Authentication Method to OAuth. Then gmail would ask you to logon to confirm you really are you and say Thunderbird wants access. then a token is stored in the same place as the passwords and from then onwards Thunderbird will use that token to gain access to server. Gmail will not be such a pain and will stop deliberately blocking as it does not require 'less secure apps' option.