Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

when writing an email F9 no longer displays the address book unless in safe mode, how to fix this?

  • 11 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 7 views
  • Last reply by Multics

more options

I tried searching the FAQs and did a google search first. This did not work, all I discovered is F9 turns the contacts sidepane on and off, but doesn't fix the problem with the pane being wrong.

Until a very recent update (last week or two at most) when I hit write, the contacts pane in the write window showed my address book. Now it shows some type of search I can't use as I have to see all the entries to see which ones I want to send an email to. In some cases I have multiple entries for a person based on them having multiple email addresses for different types of email. Trying to remember which ones I want DOES NOT WORK for me. I can only get this behavior back by running in safe mode. As an alternative I need Thunderbird to save my safe mode setting so I don't have to reconfigure safe mode every time I have to reboot windows or restart Thunderbird. I currently have it coming up in safe mode by default

I tried to remove and then install an older version of Thunderbird and the bad contact pane on the left was there. I can't find any setting to change the pane from the wrong one to the old one I need. I'd rather not try reinstalling win7 pro from scratch to fix this, assuming that would fix it.

I'm running windows7 pro 64 bit

I tried searching the FAQs and did a google search first. This did not work, all I discovered is F9 turns the contacts sidepane on and off, but doesn't fix the problem with the pane being wrong. Until a very recent update (last week or two at most) when I hit write, the contacts pane in the write window showed my address book. Now it shows some type of search I can't use as I have to see all the entries to see which ones I want to send an email to. In some cases I have multiple entries for a person based on them having multiple email addresses for different types of email. Trying to remember which ones I want DOES NOT WORK for me. I can only get this behavior back by running in safe mode. As an alternative I need Thunderbird to save my safe mode setting so I don't have to reconfigure safe mode every time I have to reboot windows or restart Thunderbird. I currently have it coming up in safe mode by default I tried to remove and then install an older version of Thunderbird and the bad contact pane on the left was there. I can't find any setting to change the pane from the wrong one to the old one I need. I'd rather not try reinstalling win7 pro from scratch to fix this, assuming that would fix it. I'm running windows7 pro 64 bit

Chosen solution

This has gotten very strange. Now things are working correctly and I don't know why. I'd like to thank everyone for their help. The image shows the desired contact sidepane on the write message screen with the list of addresses. Before it was NOT showing the list of addresses, just search options to search address books. I think I'm more confused then I was before. I'm going to try a reboot and see if the write message stays fixed.

Again, Thanks for all the help and hope the correction stays corrected.

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (11)

more options

If this works in Thunderbird Safe mode then it is likely an addon extension is causing an issue.

Suggest you start in Normal mode and then one by one disable an extension addon until it works.

Perhaps an addon needs updating. Please report back on results.

Modified by Toad-Hall

more options

I don't have any add-ons or at lest nothing shows up in the addon or other lists. I use thunderbird as it comes from the installation package.

more options

Perhaps you are using hardware acceleration.

Check here:

'Tools' > 'Options' > 'Advanced' > General ' tab or 'Menu icon' > 'Options' > 'Options' > 'Advanced' > General ' tab

at the bottom: uncheck - 'Use hardware acceleration when available' click on 'OK'

more options

I'm not using hardware acceleration.

more options

Try this: start TB in Safe Mode (hold Shift when you launch TB), then check the box "Reset toolbars and controls" and select "Make Changes and Restart".

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Safe_mode#Safe_Mode_options

more options

Same problem, wrong contacts pane appears. I think this is some type of change done by the developers and will need a program change to fix. I'll keep with safe mode and redo all the window size changes when I start thunderbird. I'll also start looking for another mail client that works for me.

more options

Do you have an all address books and your complaining about it?

more options

yes, I have an address book. This is what used to show up in the left pane. Now there is a search address book pane that seems to be called a contact pane from what I've discovered from trying to search faq's. From what I can tell, the address book is part of the contacts information, if I read things properly.

more options

Post a screen shot so people can figure out what you are talking about.

more options
wrong contacts pane appears
What's "wrong" about it? +1 on the screenshot request.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-do-i-create-screenshot-my-problem

more options

Chosen Solution

This has gotten very strange. Now things are working correctly and I don't know why. I'd like to thank everyone for their help. The image shows the desired contact sidepane on the write message screen with the list of addresses. Before it was NOT showing the list of addresses, just search options to search address books. I think I'm more confused then I was before. I'm going to try a reboot and see if the write message stays fixed.

Again, Thanks for all the help and hope the correction stays corrected.