We need to clarify your situation. When you say TB is not working but Verizon mail is working, are you referring to webmail for Verizon? So TB can not receive but the webmail works?

1. What operating system do you use (Win8, MAC, Linux, etc)?
2. What version of Thunderbird are you using?
3. Are you using IMAP or POP?

Windows 7, TB version #31.5.0, POP

So as I understand it, your webmail works but you can not receive using TB. Do you get any error messages when you try to connect? Do you have any anti-virus software running? Try running without add-ons. Help -> Restart with add-ons disabled. Are you using a cable modem or DSL?

No error messages-Windows essentials is running and has always run. No other active antispyware running. No add-ons=but some plug- ins which I disabled=still not working. Have ATT Uverse which I believe is DSL. Am going to disable 'Essentials"

Turned off "real time protection" Essentials and Defender" TBird still not working. When I hit- get messages-bottom line says attempting to connect with pop3 verizon .net but nothing happens.

delete the "3"

1. Have you asked Verizon for the recommended settings for your POP account?
2. Shut down TB (File -> Exit) and select Windows "Start -> Run" and enter the following in the Windows Run box: thunderbird -safe-mode

Does that work?

Running it in safe mode-no add-ons or extensions-still not working. Verizon settings are what they have always been ie: I am getting e-mail through verizon.

We may be having a language/terminology problem here. When you say " I am getting e-mail through verizon", do you mean the webmail (browser) interface or using Thunderbird?

Look at Account Settings -> Server Settings and tell me your port, security, and authentication settings.

I mean from the Verizon Email page. Originally I got Verizon E-mail when I got their DSL. I liked the format in Tbird so I added Tbird. Years ago- servers pop.verizon.net Port 995 SSL/TLS normal password. Smpt.verizon.net Port 465 SSL/TLS Normal password

Here are three things to try:

1. change incoming port from 995 to 110
2. change "pop.verizon.net" to "pop3.verizon.net" (or call Verizon to find out which is correct)
3. is "Smpt.verizon.net" your typo? It should be "smtp.verizon.net"
4. can you send mail from TB?

changed to 110-changed to pop3. Capital S-typo. Cannot send mail from TB. When I hit get messages- bottom line says "Looking up pop3.verizon.net" but never connects

pop.verizon net and smtp.verizon.net are the correct setting from verizon.

It wasn't the capital 'S' I was concerned with, it was the transposition: you had 'smpt' and it should be 'smtp' (stands for Simple Mail Transport Protocol). For sending you could also try port 587 instead of 465.

"pop.verizon.net' is probably correct.

Have you called Verizon? Their tech support has always been very helpful to me. Ask them about all of your settings.

smpt-typo-got settings from verizon web page (how to manually set up e-mail account. settings are the same as they have been for the last year or so. I do not understand why I don't get a drop down saying" anything" I am a idiot or something.

You're not an idiot. We just have to keep looking.

Look at http://kb.mozillazine.org/Standard_diagnostic_-_Thunderbird starting with step 4.

Keep me posted.

Something else to try: Account Settings -> Server Settings -> Connection security change SSL/TLS to STARTTLS

Tried last SSL/TLS change-no go. Tried some of the stuff with the profile manager-no go. Unistalled Tbird and reinstalled Tbird-no go. Am going to call Verizon to see what they say!

Another thought-the only real difference is I am on a Uverse Modem-maybe this modem blocks my ports-we will see although was on the same modem last year without a problem.