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Periodically Thunderbird pops a nag box that it can't update but it's already up to date.

  • 21 replies
  • 4 have this problem
  • 126 views
  • Last reply by stinkfoot

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"Thunderbird can't update to the latest version

Download a fresh copy of Thunderbird and we'll help you to install it"

How can I be rid of this annoyance? The "latest copy" to download is what I'm already running! This began with my update to version 91.10.0 from the previous version.

"Thunderbird can't update to the latest version Download a fresh copy of Thunderbird and we'll help you to install it" How can I be rid of this annoyance? The "latest copy" to download is what I'm already running! This began with my update to version 91.10.0 from the previous version.

Chosen solution

re :Antivirus is Avast free - I have not installed its firewall option.

Info at link below: Although it is generally not recommended, you may want to exclude certain files, folders, or websites from being scanned by Avast Antivirus. Add an exception Setting a global exception will exclude individual files, folders, or websites from all scans and shields.

Add as exception: 'aus.thunderbird.net' and also 'www.thunderbird.net' use info at link:

Whilst this might not be an immediate fix on the machine running current version as you'll have to wait for update. When the next update comes through see if this gets added to the history.

However, if you have Avast on the other computer which is still on version 91.3.2, see if adding the exception gets it to work and update.

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All Replies (20)

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Just curious. In Help about. What version of Thunderbird is mentioned. (Is it 64 or 32 bit?)

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same problem with me on two computers. See https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1377378#answer-1510398

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Any insight? Still getting the very annoying DAILY nag which ultimately dumps me to where I can download and install the version I've already downloaded installed.

This initially happened with the last update but now seems to be a permanent "feature" that will ultimately get me to remove Thunderbird from my machine permanently f there are no answers outside of "uninstall an reinstall".

Modified by stinkfoot

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I haven't got a clue. And as I have it on two computers there surely must be more people with this annoying thing.......... I hope they find an answer to this, because I would hate to switch to another mail program.

Modified by frtz

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I suspect it is related to the automatic update feature of Thunderbird. Whatever it is that checks for a new version cannot contact the server or some such which prompts the daily nag.

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I will be offline the coming weeks, so hopefully Mozilla will solve the problem with an update in that time :-)

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We can amend "periodically" and just say "daily" this happens- presumably as a result of it checking for updates. It's either looking in the wrong place or the feature itself has gone wonky and needs an update.

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Can those effected offer some additional information so we can understand your setup.

In the past, many people have discovered that the offer to update was actually offered by an updater program installed on their computer which had detected a new version was available and technically it was not Thunderbird who prompted it.

Do you know if you have any updater software program running on your computer ? Even some Anti-virus software offers updating abilities. For example: - This is copied from Avast website. If you have Avast Free Antivirus, you can update your software with just a click. If you have Avast Premium Security, your software updates automatically whenever it’s required.


In Thunderbird,what update options are selected:

  • Menu app icon > Preferences > General
  • Scroll to 'Updates' section

Which option is selected:

  • Automatically install update....
  • Check for update, but let me choose....
  • Is this checkbox selected or not: 'use a background service to install updates' ?
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None of that seems to matter. Initially I used a background service which I unchecked; still get the daily nag. Likewise, switching from automatically installing to letting me choose makes no difference.

Modified by stinkfoot

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stinkfoot said

None of that seems to matter. Initially I used a background service which I unchecked; still get the daily nag. Likewise, switching from automatically installing to letting me choose makes no difference.

It matters if there is a problem with the auto maintenance or if an updater software outside of Thunderbird handled the update. Understanding what was being used at time it went wrong is the basic information and starting point.

I take you mean at the time of when it went wrong you had these settings selected: Auto update and used a background service.

Please check and find out if you have any updater software on your computer. Maybe even something your Anti-Virus is providing. I'm not talking about Mozilla Maintenance which Thunderbird uses.

Also what does it say in this location:

  • Menu app icon > Preferences > General
  • Scroll to 'Updates' section
  • Click on 'Show Update History'
  • expand window as best as possible and post an image showing several of the last updates.
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Interesting that the latest update doesn't show on that list.... a hint perhaps?

Latest version listed in the history is 91.9.0 but checking through Help/About reveals that I have 91.10.0

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There is a bug mentioned: https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1586699

What Anti-Virus are you using eg: Kaspersky ?

If yes then do this: In the Kaspersly Endpoint Security > Network Settings > Trusted domains, add "aus.thunderbird.net".


Check Firewall: Is Thunderbird allowed as a trusted program ? Is Thunderbird software updater allowed as trusted program ? I use Norton, so I've added an image showing my settings. You can see both are set as trusted.

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No additional firewall. Antivirus is Avast free. I have not installed its firewall option so I'm using Windows Defender. I've had ZoneAlarm and Kaspersky in the past and both have created functional nightmares when installed.

Checking the Defender settings doesn't help a whole lot but thanks for the information as it seems fairly evident that there's some sort of interference coming from my machine or Thunderbird that just creates an annoyance but otherwise allows things to function.

Interestingly, I have another machine that also runs Thunderbird version 91.3.2 and says it's up to date- even when I check for updates.

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Chosen Solution

re :Antivirus is Avast free - I have not installed its firewall option.

Info at link below: Although it is generally not recommended, you may want to exclude certain files, folders, or websites from being scanned by Avast Antivirus. Add an exception Setting a global exception will exclude individual files, folders, or websites from all scans and shields.

Add as exception: 'aus.thunderbird.net' and also 'www.thunderbird.net' use info at link:

Whilst this might not be an immediate fix on the machine running current version as you'll have to wait for update. When the next update comes through see if this gets added to the history.

However, if you have Avast on the other computer which is still on version 91.3.2, see if adding the exception gets it to work and update.

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Let's be clear here... this was not a problem until after Thunderbird updated from 91.9.0. Was there a domain change that would explain this change in behavior?

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No domain change. Nothing changed in the method of update nor the link used.

However, it is known that AV and Firewall products can get confused when updates occur because they think the old version is different from the update version. Experienced that one myself a while back.

But it is vital that Thunderbird and Thunderbird software updater are set up as allowed trusted program. I did post image previously showing those two programs listed as trusted/allowed in my AV Firewall which is Norton 360. It would be helpful if those with issue could reported back to say they have that set up - it is very important.

It is also a well known factor that Anti-Virus products are updated on a regular basis for obvious reasons and can cause problems. They can start blocking things that worked previously. I've even discovered my AV had downloaded and auto switched a VPN and it caused all kinds of weirdness. Did I expect the problem to be related to VPN - no because I did not know it existed. That took some time to work out what had gone wrong.

Trying to find out why a computer starts being a pain does not always mean the problem is with Thunderbird, often as shown in that Bug report something decides it wants to block access and AV and/or Firewall are often the culprit because they have control over what can get blocked.

You could start your computer in 'Safe Mode with Networking' - you will need an ethernet cable between computer and router, then uninstall Thunderbird program.

Download and install a fresh version from here: https://www.thunderbird.net OR https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/all/

Alternative - set up the update setting to tell you when update is ready but do not auto install. When you next get the prompt that an update is available - Exit all Programs and restart computer in 'Safe Mode with Networking' as mentioned above, then start Thunderbird and use the 'Help' > 'About Thunderbird' and click on the update button.

Allow update to occur and then check the update history settings. If it updated ok and update is listed in the history then you know you have something on your computer blocking things. It is likely to be the AV or Firewall or any other AV type of software.

Then you can restart computer as normal once update has occurred.

Modified by Toad-Hall

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Add as exception: 'aus.thunderbird.net' and also 'www.thunderbird.net' use info at link:

https://support.avast.com/en-ww/article/Antivirus-scan-exclusions

___________________________________________________

Found the setting and did this. Haven't seen the nag since- though I'm not ready to say it's solved. It's been a couple days. I think once Thunderbird is updated next and that version populates the update history box I'll be a bit more comfortable assuming this has been resolved.

Thank you for your suggestions and input.

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If you find you still have a problem then do the following: See if clearing all the old cache helps.

Exit Thunderbird. Access this location.

  • C:/Users/User Account/Appdata/Local/Thunderbird/Profiles/

In the 'Profiles' folder - Delete the 'profile name' folder.

Please note you must be in the Appdata 'Local' folder - not the 'Roaming' folder as that contains your profile and emails. You do not want to delete anything in the 'Roaming' folder.

You can get to the Appdata folder by doing the following: In bottom search type : %Appdata% and select the 'Appdata' app option Then you can click on 'Local', then 'Thunderbird' and finally 'Profiles'

See image below as guide.

Then restart Thunderbird.

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Toad-Hall said

If you find you still have a problem then do the following: See if clearing all the old cache helps. Exit Thunderbird. Access this location.
  • C:/Users/User Account/Appdata/Local/Thunderbird/Profiles/
In the 'Profiles' folder - Delete the 'profile name' folder. Please note you must be in the Appdata 'Local' folder - not the 'Roaming' folder as that contains your profile and emails. You do not want to delete anything in the 'Roaming' folder. You can get to the Appdata folder by doing the following: In bottom search type : %Appdata% and select the 'Appdata' app option Then you can click on 'Local', then 'Thunderbird' and finally 'Profiles' See image below as guide. Then restart Thunderbird.

Hi Toad-Hall, I had the same question. I think you are right the problem doesn't come from Thunderbird. I also have Avast free antivirus.

So first today I tried an exception in Avast like you mentioned in your post of 15th of June. That didn't solve the problem. (I had Thunderbird 102.0 installed)

Now I tried deleting the old profile folder. Hope that works. Otherwise I think I am going to try another antivirus program. Just to let you know, because probably the problem comes from Avast.

Thanks for your comprehensive explanations!

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