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Hyperlinks in Thunderbird 38.51 not working

  • 2 replies
  • 5 have this problem
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  • Last reply by bcraigie

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Firstly, I'm a computer addict but not a techie. Secondly, I know there are other threads discussing my issue - but none of them seem to solve my issue. And thirdly, yes I have walked through every step of the suggestions here -> https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/hyperlinks-in-messages-not-working. In fact I've been through the list more than once. My problem is still not fixed. That said....

I have used Thunderbird for as long as I can remember. Have never had the slightest issue - until now. I can think of absolutely nothing I have done to my computer to cause this problem. I regularly check for Thunderbird updates and my problem seems to have started with either the most recent update or the one before it (can't recall the number).

Problem: hyperlinks will not open. Right-clicking on link and selecting "open link in browser" does NOT work. Selecting "copy link location" then pasting to my browser DOES work.

Dell XPS 8100 Win 7 Home Premium (x64) Service Pack 1 Thunderbird 38.5.1 Chrome (my default browser) v. 47.0.2526.106 m.

As mentioned, I have followed all the steps listed on the link included above. More details for what they may be worth....

- Chrome _is_ set as my default browser. - I have started/restarted Thunderbird in Safe Mode and with and without add-ons. - Under Tools -> Options -> Attachments there are only three things listed (pdf, pkpass and pps files). Nothing which mentions HTTP or HTTPS. - Under Help -> Troubleshooting Information and looking at Important Modified Information I do NOT show a preference titled network.protocol-handler.external-default (although there _are_ three other "network.protocol-handler.warn-external" entries showing). Doing all of the above I then went to the Config Editor. - In the Config Editor the entry "network.protocol-handler.external-default" _does_ appear. The setting for that entry is "true" (as it should be). - In the Config Editor there are many "network.protocol-handler" entries. Some of mine are set as "true" and some as "false." - - - Someone in another thread mentioned that all of the entries mentioning "network.protocol ... .warn-external" should be set to "true." Three of mine were set to "false" (specifically .ftp, .http, and .https). I changed those three from false to true. - As mentioned above, shown in the Editor I have numerous "network.protocol-handler.external (xyz) entries. Some are set to "true" and others to "false." I have no idea what they are and if any of them are set incorrectly. (I will attempt to attach a screen-shot of these entries. I don't know if .jpg attachments work here or not.) - Three of my entries titled "network.protocol-handler.warn-external" were set to "false" (.ftp, .http, and .https.) I changed those three to "true." (Don't know if I should have or not but it seemingly made no difference either way.)

I would appreciate any help/suggestions. I've tried to be as through but concise as possible. I suspect my issue is either as simple as turning a 'switch' somewhere -- or as messy as having to uninstall/reinstall Thunderbird (which, if it truly is, as I suspect, a Thunderbird issue/conflict) would do no good. Thanks again.

Attempt at including a screenshot below.

Firstly, I'm a computer addict but not a techie. Secondly, I know there are other threads discussing my issue - but none of them seem to solve my issue. And thirdly, yes I have walked through every step of the suggestions here -> https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/hyperlinks-in-messages-not-working. In fact I've been through the list more than once. My problem is still not fixed. That said.... I have used Thunderbird for as long as I can remember. Have never had the slightest issue - until now. I can think of absolutely nothing I have done to my computer to cause this problem. I regularly check for Thunderbird updates and my problem seems to have started with either the most recent update or the one before it (can't recall the number). Problem: hyperlinks will not open. Right-clicking on link and selecting "open link in browser" does NOT work. Selecting "copy link location" then pasting to my browser DOES work. Dell XPS 8100 Win 7 Home Premium (x64) Service Pack 1 Thunderbird 38.5.1 Chrome (my default browser) v. 47.0.2526.106 m. As mentioned, I have followed all the steps listed on the link included above. More details for what they may be worth.... - Chrome _is_ set as my default browser. - I have started/restarted Thunderbird in Safe Mode and with and without add-ons. - Under Tools -> Options -> Attachments there are only three things listed (pdf, pkpass and pps files). Nothing which mentions HTTP or HTTPS. - Under Help -> Troubleshooting Information and looking at Important Modified Information I do NOT show a preference titled network.protocol-handler.external-default (although there _are_ three other "network.protocol-handler.warn-external" entries showing). Doing all of the above I then went to the Config Editor. - In the Config Editor the entry "network.protocol-handler.external-default" _does_ appear. The setting for that entry is "true" (as it should be). - In the Config Editor there are many "network.protocol-handler" entries. Some of mine are set as "true" and some as "false." - - - Someone in another thread mentioned that all of the entries mentioning "network.protocol ... .warn-external" should be set to "true." Three of mine were set to "false" (specifically .ftp, .http, and .https). I changed those three from false to true. - As mentioned above, shown in the Editor I have numerous "network.protocol-handler.external (xyz) entries. Some are set to "true" and others to "false." I have no idea what they are and if any of them are set incorrectly. (I will attempt to attach a screen-shot of these entries. I don't know if .jpg attachments work here or not.) - Three of my entries titled "network.protocol-handler.warn-external" were set to "false" (.ftp, .http, and .https.) I changed those three to "true." (Don't know if I should have or not but it seemingly made no difference either way.) I would appreciate any help/suggestions. I've tried to be as through but concise as possible. I suspect my issue is either as simple as turning a 'switch' somewhere -- or as messy as having to uninstall/reinstall Thunderbird (which, if it truly is, as I suspect, a Thunderbird issue/conflict) would do no good. Thanks again. Attempt at including a screenshot below.
Attached screenshots

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I failed to include one mention in my post above.... For what it's worth, I have numerous email addresses at several domains. None of the links from any domain will open using Thunderbird. BUT ... if I open my mail account at, say, me@aol.com the hyperlinks *DO* work -- leading me to believe my problem is, indeed, a Thunderbird one.

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I too have this problem and followed the same article and nothing worked. But I found out today, with Thunderbird 45, that ordinary text hyperlinks in emails do work, however images with hyperlinks do not work. I wonder if this is the same case with yourself?

I'm on Windows 10.

This does appear to be a Thunderbird BUG.