Thunderbird (52.9.1) e-mail app stopped working with AOL mail [Windows AND Linux]!
I am using MX Linux 18.3 (Kernel 4.19.0.9) with Thunderbird (52.9.1). Why has my Thunderbird (52.9.1) e-mail app stopped working with AOL mail suddenly.( Working for years untill a few days ago! ) The problem is that when opening Thunderbird, I get a "prompt" requesting for "a new password". I hadn't changed my password, and I can access AOL Mail through Firefox browser using the same password that was stored in my TB app. The problem is persistent across Linux and Windows; which leads me to believe that it is a problem with AOL; however, I thought I would pose the question here because I'm not sure that I have the latest versions of TB installed on my [Windows/Linux] computers. And I am not sure that most recent edition(s) would matter. I have changed my password and uninstalled the AOL mail account from Thunderbird ( and re-installed the account ) which makes no difference. Any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated!
Chosen solution
You can set the authentication to OAuth2, but that doesn't mean it's supported by a particular service or that your version of TB supports that particular service. If you must use TB 52, you have to generate an app password on the AOL site, set the authentication on incoming and outgoing to 'normal password', then delete the old passwords in Saved Passwords in Edit/Preferences, restart TB, and enter the app password when prompted. No need to enable two-step verification or authentication for the account.
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Are you accessing AOL via yahoo? Have you set up an imap account or pop account?
A little while back, AOL and Yahoo updated their methods of how they allow you to logon to server. They want you to use IMAP and 'Authentication Method' set to 'Oauth2
AOL Imap accounts should have :
Incoming and outgoing smtp 'Authentication Method' set to 'Oauth2'
But you also need to have cookies enabled.
- Select 'Menu app icon' > 'Options/Preferences' > 'Options/Preferences'
- In 'Options/Preferences' left Pane select Privacy
- Select checkbox 'Accept cookies from sites'
However, you mention using a really old version of Thunderbird, so OAuth2 may not be possible in that version
This means you need to logon to the webmail account and set up 2 step authentication and then create an app specific password and use that app specific password in thunderbird instead of your normal password.. So, keep 'Authentication Method' set to 'Normal Password' , but actually enter the app specific password. https://help.aol.com/articles/Create-and-manage-app-password
Modified by Toad-Hall
I am accessing AOL mail through Thunderbird. Configuration is automatic "outgoing/incoming" servers--set to OAuth2 --incoming port 993 ---outgoing port 465.
Chosen Solution
You can set the authentication to OAuth2, but that doesn't mean it's supported by a particular service or that your version of TB supports that particular service. If you must use TB 52, you have to generate an app password on the AOL site, set the authentication on incoming and outgoing to 'normal password', then delete the old passwords in Saved Passwords in Edit/Preferences, restart TB, and enter the app password when prompted. No need to enable two-step verification or authentication for the account.
What is the "latest" version of Thunderbird?
The latest is 78.7.1, but that may not be the latest version offered by your Linux.