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sending message error - connection to outgoing server (SMTP) times out

  • 3 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 12 views
  • Last reply by sfhowes

Don - in Aotearoa/NZ
Don - in Aotearoa/NZ
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This message comes up almost immediately after I click "send". My computer 'acer' crashed and they replaced the hard drive. I had to install Thunderbird from scratch. I've checked all the settings so-o-o-o many times and trolled through the conversations (archived), but haven't found a solution. Presently have Windows11 installed. My ISP tech helper says 'Thunderbird' should be working - (and it has for years in the past) Don - in NZ/Aotearoa

This message comes up almost immediately after I click "send". My computer 'acer' crashed and they replaced the hard drive. I had to install Thunderbird from scratch. I've checked all the settings so-o-o-o many times and trolled through the conversations (archived), but haven't found a solution. Presently have Windows11 installed. My ISP tech helper says 'Thunderbird' should be working - (and it has for years in the past) Don - in NZ/Aotearoa
Attached screenshots

All Replies (3)

david
david
  • Top 10 Contributor
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This possible fix shouldn't be needed, but I'll post it for you: 

  Tap on tools > options > Advanced > General > Config Editor.
  Visit the search file section and put mailnews.tcptimeout > Click Enter.
  Look for mailnews.tcptimeout and right-click on it > modify.
  Here change the value by adding the larger value. Remember to save them.

I think the default is 100, so increase incrementally to see if you have success. However, since it was not needed prior to your crash, the problem may be elsewhere. Check your outbound port setting to be whatever your email provider requires.

Don - in Aotearoa/NZ
Don - in Aotearoa/NZ Question owner
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Thanks for this try so far David, but I'm up to 200 and its not fixed. Also: didn't have an "options" under "Tools", but was eventually able to get there via Tools>Account settings>Thunderbird preferences>General>Config editor (right at the bottom) and I found that clicking on the little pencil icon was the way to edit and then save.

sfhowes
sfhowes
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Timeouts are often caused by antivirus apps that are set to scan outgoing mail. What's the antivirus and its settings for email? The general recommendation is to disable scanning of outgoing mail and secure connections, or add the TB profile folder as an exclusion in AV settings.