Thunderbird email suddenly not downloading messages
Three days ago my emails suddenly stopped downloading into Thunderbird account. I can send, but not receive messages. This is the error I receive: The RETR command did not succeed. Error retrieving a message. Mail server pop3.hughes.net responded: No such blob: mailbox=20339, item=2596, change=2326. I am using THUNDERBIRD V68.9.0 I have contacted by ISP (Hughesnet) and they said the issue must be with Firefox and is not showing any issues on their end. I can access my emails on the webmail, but cannot get the emails to download to my Thunderbird account using my desktop. I have updated my AVAST to latest version, allowing Thunderbird and Mozilla. Can anyone assist me with this issue? I am not really knowledgeable about computer issues, so please be kind to this old bat, ok? Thank you.
Chosen solution
When you cleaned out the folders through webmail, did you empty Trash and Spam/Bulk/Junk? Even though those folders aren't downloaded in a POP setup, they may have a blockage.
You could try adding the account to the W10 Mail app and see if you get the same error.
Read this answer in context 👍 0All Replies (5)
Access the account by webmail and see if there's a corrupted message blocking downloads:
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1158670
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/993817
Yesterday I totally cleaned out all messages being saved on the server, but it did not solve the issue. I spent another hour on the phone with Hughesnet and they ran several tests, but claimed the issue is not with them or the server, but probably with Mozilla/Thunderbird. This morning, I opened Thunderbird and received partial download of new emails (hurrah), but then they stopped and another error flag came up, with a partial repeat of the previous error message. This one states: The RETR command did not succeed. Error retrieving a message (this makes it sound as if one message is causing the problem, however there were no messages left from the day before when I deleted them all). Mail server pop3.hughes.net responded system failure: Unable to get content for Message 4564. So, it does sound like a message is blocking the downloads, however since all messages on the server were deleted yesterday, why did some new ones come through today, with some not? I guess I need to spend another day on the phone with Hughesnet with people who are working from home and barely speak English, and cannot ask assistance from someone else in the room. I really appreciate your response to me and your helpful reply. I will relay that information to the Hughesnet people.
Chosen Solution
When you cleaned out the folders through webmail, did you empty Trash and Spam/Bulk/Junk? Even though those folders aren't downloaded in a POP setup, they may have a blockage.
You could try adding the account to the W10 Mail app and see if you get the same error.
Well, after 4 days and several loooong hours on the phone with Hughesnet, the emails suddenly started to download at mid-day today. Gee, I wonder what they were doing over at Hughesnet while trying to blame Firefox and making me go through days of agonizing updates, cleanups, searches, begging for help from other sources? I have had a lot of issue with Hughesnet, including their stingy brandwidth policies....I wish I could dump them and give them a piece of my mind, but alas, I live in the mountains and they are the only source of internet other than dial-up. I thank you, sfhowes, for hanging in there with me and for your kindness in trying to help. I did do all the things you suggested, but in the end, the issue was something on Hughesnet's end and they just needed to step up and take the time to figure it out. I'm hoping this is the last of my email problems with Hughesnet, but I fear it may not be. Thanks again.
If Hughes's internet service is more reliable than their mail service, it might be worth considering a switch to a different provider, such as one of the major ones - gmail, outlook, gmx - or any of the many dedicated mail services. Add another account to TB alongside the Hughes account, and remove the latter when it's no longer needed.