This article provides troubleshooting information when you have problems receiving messages. If you have problems sending messages, see [[Cannot send messages]]. __TOC__ = Is your account configured correctly? = To look at the settings for an account, select Tools > Account Settings, then select Server Settings from the list on the left. The connection to the incoming mail server is configured at the top of the page. [[Image:992c957734e017c49fc78fa508b937ff-1269453233-693-1.jpg]] Your email account provider can give you connection information about their servers (probably on their website). Make sure your account settings match these settings. See also: *[[Configure an Account]] (for instructions on using the New Account dialog for manual configuration) *[[Automatic Account Configuration]] (for creating a new account) *[[ISP Configuration Settings]] = Did your ability to receive mail suddenly stop? Was it working before? = *Check the service status of your ISP. (Many ISPs have a status or alert page on their website.) They may be having technical difficulties. *If your ISP provides a web-based email interface, try to log in and view your mail. If you can see your messages, the problem is probably related to your account configuration. * If you cannot log in to your ISPs web-based email interface, your password may have changed. If so, it must also be changed in Thunderbird. To change your password: ** Open {menu Tools > Options} (Windows) or {menu Thunderbird > Preferences} (Mac) or {menu Edit > Preferences} (Linux). ** On the {button Security} page, click on the {button Passwords} tab and then click {button Saved Passwords...}. ** Click on the relevant account and then click {button Remove}. ** Close and re-open Thunderbird. You will be prompted to enter a new password for the account. * If you recently updated Thunderbird, [https://wiki.mozilla.org/Thunderbird:Testing:Antivirus_Related_Performance_Issues check if your antivirus software is causing problems]. * If you recently updated Thunderbird to version 38, check whether you are being impacted by [[Thunderbird and Logjam|changes related to Logjam]]. = Are you receiving some emails but not others? = * Does your ISP have a spam filter that might be holding or deleting messages on the server? * Have you created filters in Thunderbird that might be mis-filing messages?

This article provides troubleshooting information when you have problems receiving messages. If you have problems sending messages, see Cannot send messages.

Is your account configured correctly?

To look at the settings for an account, select Tools > Account Settings, then select Server Settings from the list on the left. The connection to the incoming mail server is configured at the top of the page.

Your email account provider can give you connection information about their servers (probably on their website). Make sure your account settings match these settings.

See also:

• Configure an Account (for instructions on using the New Account dialog for manual configuration)
• Automatic Account Configuration (for creating a new account)
• ISP Configuration Settings

Did your ability to receive mail suddenly stop? Was it working before?

• Check the service status of your ISP. (Many ISPs have a status or alert page on their website.) They may be having technical difficulties.

• If your ISP provides a web-based email interface, try to log in and view your mail. If you can see your messages, the problem is probably related to your account configuration.

• If you cannot log in to your ISPs web-based email interface, your password may have changed. If so, it must also be changed in Thunderbird. To change your password:
  • Open Tools > Options (Windows) or Thunderbird > Preferences (Mac) or Edit > Preferences (Linux).
  • On the Security page, click on the Passwords tab and then click Saved Passwords....
  • Click on the relevant account and then click Remove.
  • Close and re-open Thunderbird. You will be prompted to enter a new password for the account.

• If you recently updated Thunderbird, check if your antivirus software is causing problems.

• If you recently updated Thunderbird to version 38, check whether you are being impacted by changes related to Logjam.

Are you receiving some emails but not others?

• Does your ISP have a spam filter that might be holding or deleting messages on the server?
• Have you created filters in Thunderbird that might be mis-filing messages?