What error message do you get?

What is your anti-virus software?

I don't get an error message most of the time. It simply says it is contacting host, and then it stops. Sometimes I get a pop-up that asks me to sign into AOL. But when I try that, I get an error message that says I need to allow cookies and try again. But I have gone in and allowed cookies, or at least I think I have. I don't normally allow cookies, but made the change. But when I go to the AOL internet site, I have no problem signing in.

I have Norton 360 on my PC. It occurred to me that I should try Thunderbird on my laptop. I caught it on my laptop before the update to 128.8.1esr was installed, but I am having the same problem there. I have ESET on my laptop.

This makes me think the problem is with AOL and I will be calling their tech support later today after I run some essential errands. My anti-virus and settings were the same as before and I had no problem with Thunderbird until Wednesday, the 19th in the afternoon. The morning was fine.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Jan

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.

I don't get an error message most of the time. It simply says it is contacting host, and then it stops. Sometimes I get a pop-up that asks me to sign into AOL. But when I try that, I get an error message that says I need to allow cookies and try again. But I have gone in and allowed cookies, or at least I think I have. I don't normally allow cookies, but made the change. But when I go to the AOL internet site, I have no problem signing in. I have Norton 360 on my PC. It occurred to me that I should try Thunderbird on my laptop. I caught it on my laptop before the update to 128.8.1esr was installed, but I am having the same problem there. I have ESET on my laptop. This makes me think the problem is with AOL and I will be calling their tech support later today after I run some essential errands. My anti-virus and settings were the same as before and I had no problem with Thunderbird until Wednesday, the 19th in the afternoon. The morning was fine.

1. I'd encourage you to not disable cookies. For email, disabling it has very little value and it screws up the oauth process. Is javascript disabled?

2. Does it also fail with Windows started in safe mode and networking enabled? https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12376/windows-10-start-your-pc-in-safe-mode

Okay, I have now gotten Thunderbird working on my PC. Still not working on my laptop, but I will worry about that tomorrow (said Scarlet O'hara.)

I hadn't realized there was a cookie setting on Thunderbird - I had changed it in Firefox. Once I allowed cookies in Thunderbird, it worked. AOL support had just answered the phone when this happened, so I told them I didn't need their help. Made the same change on the laptop, but so far not working. May have to call back if the laptop doesn't work tomorrow.

Thank you all for your help.

Jan