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Authentication failure while connecting to server imap.gmail.com

  • 9 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 6 views
  • Last reply by Toad-Hall

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I am trying to download my email but cannot do so . A circle appears which just continues to spin. Then I get a message Authentication failure while connecting to server imap.gmail.com.

Within a few seconds another box pops up from Google blocking Thunderbird, and telling me to sign in. However, I do not have a Google account. I cannot close Google so I am forced to reduce it to the Windows System tray. I can then see mail but only from two weeks ago. No new mail will download. I just see a spinning circle which never stops and then that msg about authentication failure. At this point all I can do is use my default Gmail program. That is the only way I can receive my email.

I am trying to download my email but cannot do so . A circle appears which just continues to spin. Then I get a message Authentication failure while connecting to server imap.gmail.com. Within a few seconds another box pops up from Google blocking Thunderbird, and telling me to sign in. However, I do not have a Google account. I cannot close Google so I am forced to reduce it to the Windows System tray. I can then see mail but only from two weeks ago. No new mail will download. I just see a spinning circle which never stops and then that msg about authentication failure. At this point all I can do is use my default Gmail program. That is the only way I can receive my email.

All Replies (9)

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If TB try to connect to that server then you have probably set that server for that account... and that server ("gmail dot com") it is used for Google accounts (either gmail or gsuite). So I actually do not understand why do you say you don't have a Google account, would you elaborate with more details? If you don't have a Google account then you need to enter the correct mail server settings for your account... you should be able to get that information from your email server service provider so you can correct your internal settings on Thunderbird.

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The problem is that now I have to use Gmail in lieu of TBird. As I mentioned, I have not been able to download messages since the beginning of the month. I also cannot send messages. When I open my TBird a window from Google pops up and blocks the TBird site. I am then asked to sign in,which I do.Then it claims I don't have an account. However, I do use Gmail, I do not know if that counts as having an account.Then, a second window pops up and says "Turn Cookies Off". I have Never received this message from Gmail nor Google before. Frankly, one of the reasons I use a spam blocker is to prevent cookies, spyware and trackers from following my searches. So I hesitate to do something that would cause further complications down the road.

In addition, I cannot send email messages from TBird. When I try to do so the message it shows the words "connected to smpt.gmail.com." The green progress bar appears at the bottom right then after a short time the message "connection to outgoing server smpt.gmail.com timed out". After a few seconds the green progress bar reappears with the message "connected to smpt.gmail.com". Then times out again.

Frankly, I don't know if this is a problem with TBird and I need to adjust a setting or the fault of Google/Gmail.However, I know it is somebody's fault because everything was working fine until the first week of September!

If this problem can't be rectified, I will have to resort to permantly using Gmail which I consider grossly inferior to TBird.

I hope this reply helps you to better understand my problem

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When I open my TBird a window from Google pops up and blocks the TBird site.

Please post a screenshot. https://support.mozilla.org/kb/how-do-i-create-screenshot-my-problem

Then it claims I don't have an account.

Please post a screenshot for this as well.

I do use Gmail, I do not know if that counts as having an account.

It does.

Then, a second window pops up and says "Turn Cookies Off".

I'd expect it to say something along the lines 'Turn cookies on'. Please post a screenshot.

Also, please post your Troubleshooting Information. At the top right of the Thunderbird window, click the menu button , then select Help > Troubleshooting Information. Press the "Copy text to clipboard button" and paste the information into your reply.

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daviddesanto48 said

When I open my TBird a window from Google pops up and blocks the TBird site. I am then asked to sign in,which I do.Then it claims I don't have an account.
I think I saw such issues with TB version below v78. If you have an older version then you can try to modify the connection security option from OAuth2 to SSL/TSL. Maybe you can try this too (for both incoming & outgoing server)

Modified by svlad2009

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Gmail requires that you have cookies turned on otherwise you will not connect. Menu app icon > Options > Privacy & Security Under web content section Select checkbox 'Accept cookies from sites'

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Could not find section labeled "web content" Won't selecting 'Accept cookies from sites ' leave me vulnerable to cookies, spyware etc.?

If I cannot solve this problem I will be forced to continue to use Gmail or switch to another email program

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I have version 73.1

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I have version 73.1 I tried to post a screen shot using screen shot option from the Mozilla page. Just froze the computer and I had to close all the programs and restart Windows.

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re :Could not find section labeled "web content"

It is near the top in the 'Privacy' area.

It is impossible for gmail to apply an OAuth token if not selected.