Suddenly unable to access Gmail through TB
For some years now, I have been accessing through Gmail through TB and all has been fine. A few nights ago I have been using TB with gmail and all was fine. Then, out of the blue, a TB Window opened wanting credentials to sign in to Google - This was definitely not the norm.
I tried closing TB, which it seemed to do, but a few minutes later a Window popped up the TB had crashed.
I 'closed' it and then tried starting TB again. Again it came up with the credentials window, so I entered the details and it came up with the TB browser Window saying TB wants to access the google account xxx@gmail.com, so I select 'Allow'.
The Window disappears and the rotating 'circle' comes up next to the mouse cursor and the tab, as if it's doing something, but nothing happens, even if left for long periods. If I try to select another gmail folder, the credentials Window comes up again, but no matter how many times I put in the PW, then select 'Allow', it does the same thing.
I searched for similar issues and tried numerous things suggested, but to no avail.
Eventually I went to my gmail account and found that imap was turned Off, though I have no idea how it got turned off. I haven't knowingly made any changes to the gmail account and it works fine still from my phone. I turned it on again and confirmed, but same problem. I went back and checked it again and confirmed it was on. I've also confirmed that the PW is correct and that I can access gmail through the web browser, gmail app on my phone, etc.
Based on similar issues detailed in support pages, I tried - -Ensuring Cookies were allowed -Deleting Password listings related to the gmail account (two listings related to gmail, same account) and deleted both. Closing TB and restarting. - Deleting the gmail *.msf files - Checked Incoming and Outgoing Servers are set for OAuth2 and Connection SSL/TLS - Ensuring I'm not going through a VPN - Not running the AV - Facing North and chanting under a full moon at Midnight
Each time closing TB, waiting for it to crash and then restarting, going through the credentials process again and the same thing still happens.
I tried these things over and over, even deleting all the directories and files under C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\xxxxxxx.default\ImapMail\imap.gmail.com and later deleting the imap.gmail.com.msf file as well, but no change to the symptoms (Have since returned all the files and directory structure back to how it was)
I have checked and triple checked that the PW's related to gmail are all gone, but they have not returned when I've gone through the process.
One thing I noticed that seemed perhaps odd (I'm certainly no expert on this process), when the TB Window with Google page comes up asking to Allow TB access, if I click on the 'This will allow Mozilla Thunderbird Email to" section (instead of the Allow button), it shows developer email, but says "Clicking 'Allow' will redirect you to http://localhost , which sounded a bit odd, but as I say, I'm no expert. Clicking on Allow, just goes back to TB (closes the Google Window) and it will sit there 'spinning' the circle non-stop.
The TB version is 52.7.3 (32 bit), as I am running Vista 32 - Yes I understand there's security risks, etc. etc. but have to stick with it for a number of reasons. Hopefully the issue isn't related to this!
I've spent many many hours trawling through similar symptoms in support question and trying numerous things, but am still stuck with the problem, so if you're able to help, it would be appreciated.
Thanks
Alle svar (4)
Thanks Stans,
I did try that, although I had already deleted the cookie (forgot to mention that I think). Everything on that page I'd already tried, including deleting the cookie, but this time I went to history and cleared everything. This time it seemed like it was going to work, it bought up a different Google page (I think about signing in on a new device) and my phone even brought up a notification about the 'new' device and I accepted that. But after all that, I still can't access gmail.
Again I went through all the procedures, checked the saved passwords for gmail in TB (there was none, they have never come back since I deleted them), cleared cookies and cache again, closed and opened TB, retried, retried all the above from original post a dozen times and still no go. I did notice that additional files are added each time I try to access the folder, do the sign-in process, etc. and they are things like INBOX-1.msf, INBOX-2.MSF, etc. and are small files, around 2-3k. I've tried deleting those, I've tried deleting all .MSF files
I'm at a loss again, so would appreciate any additional assistance.
Thanks
sounds like the ESET issue a little. Using it?
Sounds like TB is crashing each time you Quit it, and it's not storing OAuth2 tokens in Saved Passwords as it should. I would recommend creating a new profile and set up the Gmail account afresh. See Profile Manager - Create and remove Thunderbird profiles
Whatever your reasons for running Vista and TB 52, I would expect you to have a backup and recovery strategy for your system and data (including Thunderbird's data) IF you truly understand the risks. Do you have such a backup in place? If so, then restore Thunderbird's profile folder with a copy that was backed up before the problem started.