Cannot "Get Messages"
I updated Thunderbird on Tues, Jan 3. Since then I cannot download any of my mail from my mail server. When I select "Get Messages", the bottom field shows: "my email address: Connected to pop3...." This is exactly what I saw in the past but now mail is not downloaded and this field ultimately goes blank.
I have tried everything on this webpage: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/cannot-receive-messages and nothing changed. I even disabled my AV program.
I will be contacting my ISP; however, I feel strongly that the problem is due to my upgrade since my last downloaded email is minutes before I upgraded Thunderbird.
My system is Windows 7 Home Premium (Service Pack 1) and I use Norton Antivirius Version 22.8.1.14
Suggestions?
Chosen solution
Try to start Windows in safe mode with networking enabled. - Win10 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12376/windows-10-start-your-pc-in-safe-mode - Win8 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17076/windows-8-startup-settings-safe-mode - Win7 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17419/windows-7-advanced-startup-options-safe-mode#start-computer-safe-mode=windows-7
Still in Windows safe mode, start Thunderbird in safe mode. - https://support.mozilla.org/kb/safe-mode
Does the problem go away?
Read this answer in context 👍 1All Replies (4)
Chosen Solution
Try to start Windows in safe mode with networking enabled. - Win10 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12376/windows-10-start-your-pc-in-safe-mode - Win8 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17076/windows-8-startup-settings-safe-mode - Win7 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17419/windows-7-advanced-startup-options-safe-mode#start-computer-safe-mode=windows-7
Still in Windows safe mode, start Thunderbird in safe mode. - https://support.mozilla.org/kb/safe-mode
Does the problem go away?
I restarted Windows 7 in the Safe Mode. Then opened Thunderbird and selected "Get Messages". I was asked to enter my ISP password even though it was in my profile prior to updating Thunderbird. I did that and the messages downloaded from my ISP. I then tried to send a message. Again was asked for my password. Did that and the message was sent (and received). I then restarted Windows in the regular mode and everything works fine. Hurrah!
Starting Windows in safe mode disables anti-virus software. Your problem was almost certainly caused by anti-virus software.
To prevent anti-virus messing with Thunderbird in the future follow these general recommendations:
Create an exception in your anti-virus software for the Thunderbird profile folder, so that the anti-virus real-time scanner will not scan it. http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Thunderbird
Don't let your anti-virus software scan incoming and outgoing messages.
Don't let your anti-virus software scan attachments.
Don't let your anti-virus software intercept your secure connection to the server.
Remove any add-ons your anti-virus software may have installed in Thunderbird.
Keep it working. http://kb.mozillazine.org/Keep_it_working_-_Thunderbird
I only use Norton AV software. When I had my problems, I disabled Norton and still had the problem. There were no add-ons in Thunderbird from Norton. So I have no reason to blame Norton.
The Safe-Mode solution worked great. As I said, I had to enter my ISP password while in Safe-Mode. Then everything worked fine while using the regular Windows.
It could be that the Thunderbird upgrade did not transfer my ISP password. Of course, that's just a guess. I have no idea what Safe-Mode does/did except to disable certain things including Norton.