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

Thunderbird wont start, says there is an out of date add, on wont go further (mac)

more options

When I go to open Thunderbird, I get a window telling me that there is an incompatible add on, it gives me the choice to ignore or search for an up to date version of the add on. When I click on either of these the window closes for a minute then reopens with the same message in a vicious circle. Thunderbird itself won't open and can only be shut down by force quit.

I have removed all that I can find to do with Thunderbird (previous versions etc) and reinstalled thunderbird from a fresh download to no avil. I'm using OS X Yosemite and Thunderbird 52.7.0

When I go to open Thunderbird, I get a window telling me that there is an incompatible add on, it gives me the choice to ignore or search for an up to date version of the add on. When I click on either of these the window closes for a minute then reopens with the same message in a vicious circle. Thunderbird itself won't open and can only be shut down by force quit. I have removed all that I can find to do with Thunderbird (previous versions etc) and reinstalled thunderbird from a fresh download to no avil. I'm using OS X Yosemite and Thunderbird 52.7.0

Modified by Craig McPherson

Chosen solution

Open the profile folder and then open the extensions subfolder. Delete the file {786ed4c5-a408-4066-ad19-9270ba42e4f3}.xpi, which is the file for the Walnut 2 theme.

To open the profile folder, start TB (in safe mode if necessary), then Help/Troubleshooting Information, click Open Folder. Close TB before deleting any files.

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (7)

more options

Try starting in safe mode (hold Option or Alt when you launch TB), and if that succeeds, open Tools/Add-ons/Extensions and Remove the incompatible add-on. You should then be able to start TB in normal mode.

more options

Thanks for that!

more options

Well I thought it worked when I deleted the offending add-on.....but the bastard keeps coming back! Damed thing wont die!

In fact none of the changes made in safe mode stuck.

Modified by Craig McPherson

more options

What is the name of the add-on? In rare situations, an add-on has to be removed manually if it's corrupted or dependent on another process:

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Uninstalling_add-ons

more options

the bastard add-on is " Walnut2 for Thunderbird" an appearence add-on. I didn't install the damned thing my ex did!

more options

Chosen Solution

Open the profile folder and then open the extensions subfolder. Delete the file {786ed4c5-a408-4066-ad19-9270ba42e4f3}.xpi, which is the file for the Walnut 2 theme.

To open the profile folder, start TB (in safe mode if necessary), then Help/Troubleshooting Information, click Open Folder. Close TB before deleting any files.

more options

Thanks for that, one problem sorted, it still runs like a hairy goat but thats enough pain and suffering for one day