Thunderbird fails to start; no fix I have tried is working
Windows 10 Home. I've been using Thunderbird for years without issue, and it was working fine last time I accessed it. After an auto reboot (I'm not sure if TB was open that session or not), Thunderbird absolutely fails to start. At all. I get a momentary hourglass, then nothing - no errors, nothing in Task Manager, even if I have it up when I try to start TB. I've tried from start bar, desktop, file location.
I've tried starting in safe mode (same lack of response), deleting any of the files that should be recreated on startup, rebooting the computer... still no response at all. I have decades (literally) of emails stored in the app's files.
I tried using MozBackup (yea, it's ancient but it's what I have) and received an error: Problem with backup email account! Account [filepath]\JodiTbirdProfile\ImapMail\imap.gmail-1.com (but! The profile that was being backed up - the only one offered besides the *.default* was JodiTbirdProfile2) ... and a couple similar errors for other files that I actually don't care about. At the moment it is still running... probably need to clean up my mail databases again....
Appreciate any assistance! If there's a newer/better third party app to back up Thunderbird before I start... that'd be great info too!
All Replies (5)
Additional information:
In continuing to look for solutions, one suggestion directed me to the Appdata\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles folder, which has the one I *thought* I was using - JodiTbirdProfile2 - and a second one with cssryl41. in front, and that one has a lot of files dated 6/15 (today is 6/22), which is probably the last time I successfully used it.
Modified by dragons2
re : when creating abackup manual method.
Via Thunderbird Help > More Troubleshooting Information Application Basics - about half way doen click on 'Open Folder' New window opens showing contents of Profile name folder
Exit Thunderbird Go up directory 3 levels to the 'Roaming' folder and copy the 'Thunderbird' folder to an external drive as backup.
Or externally: Make sure Thunderbird is not running. In computer bottom search type: %Appdata% and select the %Appdata% file folder Click on 'Roaming' Copy the 'Thunderbird folder to external drive.
Suggest you create a backup first. Then see if you can start up the 'profile manager' because it sounds like it is trying to start by using a corrupt profile. By using the 'profile manager' you can create a new profile - set it as default and to auto use it when starting. Add mail account. Later you can try to import files if required.
To start Profile Manager In search type 'Run' to open the 'Run' window Type: thunderbird.exe -P Click on Ok
More info on Profile Manager https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profile-manager-create-and-remove-thunderbird-profiles#w_start-the-profile-manager-when-thunderbird-is-closed
Todd - Thank you, but trying to run profile manager ends the same - hourglass for a couple of seconds, then closes, nothing in Task Manager at all.
Guess my Thunderbird install is well and truly hosed. Any other ideas before I nuke it and start anew? I've already saved off the profile folders.
At this point it isn't entirely clear whether the problem is only with program or with both program and profile. I would uninstall the program, then download a fresh copy of same same version and reinstall. Then let it try to open and run with whatever profile it opens. This will tell you if the profile has also suffered. But al least the program should funstion ok and allow Profile Manager to work if needed.
If you are unsure what version you were running, you can find that information in the 'profile name' folder. But I would check both JodiTbirdProfile2 and cssryl41 because one may be using a more up to date version than the other.
Look for a file called 'compatibility.ini' You can open it with a text editor like 'Notepad' It will say something like this:
- [Compatibility]
- LastVersion=91.10.0_20220525135609/20220525135609
- LastOSABI=WINNT_x86_64-msvc
- LastPlatformDir=C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Thunderbird
- LastAppDir=C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Thunderbird
I have noticed that the latest release download available has just been updated to 102.0 It contains many significant changes. As you have a backup of your original Thunderbird profiles etc - you could try it. https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/all/
But you may feel you want to get the previous download 9.10.0 and see if the profile folders are working. You can get a download from here: http://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/thunderbird/releases/91.10.0/
If using Windows 64bit: at link click on 'win64', then select language eg: en-GB is English British then click on 'Thunderbird Setup 91.10.0.exe' to get the download.
Info on what is new in Thunderbird 102 https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/new-thunderbird-102