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Thunderbird displays only text in messages received or sent, even though options are set for HTML.

  • 9 replies
  • 6 have this problem
  • 64 views
  • Last reply by dblatnik

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Using Thunderbird 25.6.0, running under W7-64bit. Have used T-bird continuously since it was morph'ed out of Netscape Communicator, so feel I understand basic options, including specifying HTML or HTML/Text.

In one Windows User Account, Thunderbird works perfectly, for the second Windows User, all Thunderbird Email accounts (4 in one T-bird Profile) suddenly turned to sending and receiving all messages in text only.

I regularly compose messages in HTML, using broad range of fonts, colors, embedded graphics. The compositions remain intact (HTML) until the instant I send them. The copy in my Sent folder is in text; one of the graphics embedded in my original will be attached, and any others will have disappeared. If my recipient replies or forwards the message back to me, all my original material is text, as is whatever my recipient adds to his reply.

Also, all original incoming messages from my correspondents are in straight text. Not a sign of HTML anywhere except as I am composing a message, or a messages saved in my Drafts file.

What's wrong, and how I can fix it?

Dean Jones

Using Thunderbird 25.6.0, running under W7-64bit. Have used T-bird continuously since it was morph'ed out of Netscape Communicator, so feel I understand basic options, including specifying HTML or HTML/Text. In one Windows User Account, Thunderbird works perfectly, for the second Windows User, all Thunderbird Email accounts (4 in one T-bird Profile) suddenly turned to sending and receiving all messages in text only. I regularly compose messages in HTML, using broad range of fonts, colors, embedded graphics. The compositions remain intact (HTML) until the instant I send them. The copy in my Sent folder is in text; one of the graphics embedded in my original will be attached, and any others will have disappeared. If my recipient replies or forwards the message back to me, all my original material is text, as is whatever my recipient adds to his reply. Also, all original incoming messages from my correspondents are in straight text. Not a sign of HTML anywhere except as I am composing a message, or a messages saved in my Drafts file. What's wrong, and how I can fix it? Dean Jones

Chosen solution

NO I asked a question. I did NOT select my question as a solution to my question.

Usually when I start new topics I am taken to task because it is the duplicate of something from 6 months ago.

I have no solution. I have a problem. I will start a new topic

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All Replies (9)

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I'm assuming you know about the box in the message header that you have to click to get images from that sender.

If you can never see remote images because the "Show Remote Images" button is always missing check that permissions.default.image is set to 1 using the config editor.

Check this link, for how to ensure the permissions line is set to 1:

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Privacy_basics_%28Thunderbird%29

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The primary problem is that everything is converted to text - not just that embedded graphics are either displayed as an attachment (one only) or else discarded.

I understand the privacy screen and how to use it. That's not what's at play here.

While I know graphics are "ditched" at sending time from my messages going out, I have no idea what is being lost from messages I receive -- as I said, they are all received as pure text.

Having watched the problem raise Cain with my mail for more than a month, I really believe this uncontrolled switch of HTML to text that is the root cause of the anomalies with the graphics.

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Sounds like you are creating in html but not sending in html nor reading in html.


check settings: Tools > Options > Composition > General tab click on 'Send Options' button select : 'Send the message in both plain text and HTML' Then you are sending in both and the recipient can choose. click on OK to save send options. click on OK to save Options

Then check: View > Message Body As > select 'Original HTML'

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Congrats for stating the problem more clearly and succinctly than I had. I am creating in HTML, but not sending or reading in HTML. Exactly!

Your suggested solution is where I looked when the problem first appeared. Nonetheless, I just went to my settings and checked again. Yep, all along, I have used "send in both text and HTML".

Just to try something, I changed the setting to "send in HTML anyway". That is what has been used in USER 1, where this problem has never occurred. After re-setting USER 2 to "send in HTML anyway" there was no change. It all still sends and reads as text.

Good thought, sorry it didn't work. __________________________________________________________________________ Early on, it occurred to me that I might fix the problem by uninstalling and reinstalling Thunderbird. It would be a good bit of work to get all the email accounts recognized in the right place, but that alone did not stop me.

I wondered... What if the problem is in the system folders Local Settings, Application Data, etc? I'd never find it on my own. And all that uninstall/reinstall work would be for nothing.

At this point, I am still lost.

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After you have sent an email to me, I will check the headers. If you sent an email using html, you will not see this in your saved Sent email if you do not have the View settings as below. Please confirm you have these settings: View > Message Body As > select 'Original HTML'

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You took me to the right place in Tbird main Menu. After all these years, I had never gone to look inside the View settings. It was a simple choice and the problem is fixed. Thank you so much!

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I have 1 email account that is sending things as plain text.

Under composition settings I have selected "compose in HTML." Under global addressing options/ send settings I have "send in HTML anyway." Under view I have selected "view original HTML."

Things are still being sent as plain text.

Let me know if this should be a new topic and not a continuation of an old.

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dblatnik someone has incorrectly chosen your query as a chosen solution which can make things somewhat confusing especially as this has also been done on a separate but similar question. If this was done by you - dblatnik, please do not select a question as a suitable solution to a problem when it is not a solution.

As this question was asked and the question maker was happy with the fix, you should start a new question.

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Chosen Solution

NO I asked a question. I did NOT select my question as a solution to my question.

Usually when I start new topics I am taken to task because it is the duplicate of something from 6 months ago.

I have no solution. I have a problem. I will start a new topic

Modified by dblatnik