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Thunderbird freezes when typing text into new messages SOLVED with accessibility.force_disabled > change the value to 1 (bug1972457)

  • 2 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 25 views
  • Last reply by Wayne Mery

Harold Weller
Harold Weller
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Thunderbird is freezing when I try to type a message into the new message window. It takes maybe 100 characters or so, then just freezes and requires ctrl-alt-del and end task to get out of it. This began with auto-installation of 140.0.1 as described below, and is 100% reproducible.

Environment: Windows 11 home 64 bit (specifically 2025-07 Cumulative Update for Windows 11 Version 24H2 for x64-based Systems )

Running Thunderbird 140.0.1: Thunderbird 140.1.1esr was auto installed on July 10, 2025. Version history says that the install failed, but version showed as 140.0.1esr. This is when the problem began. On July 18th, I downloaded the release version of Thunderbird and installed that (140.0.1 - no esr). This did not resolve the problem. Troubleshooting info now shows 140.0.1 - no esr as the current version, but the update history does not show that upgrade/downgrade in the list, so I'm not sure it happened.

Things I have tried: Windows safe mode Thunderbird safe mode Clear caches Removed several mail accounts from Thunderbird

Below is system info from Thunderbird troubleshooting page. 

 Application Basics

   Name: Thunderbird
   Version: 140.0.1
   Build ID: 20250709044702
   Distribution ID:
Thunderbird is freezing when I try to type a message into the new message window. It takes maybe 100 characters or so, then just freezes and requires ctrl-alt-del and end task to get out of it. This began with auto-installation of 140.0.1 as described below, and is 100% reproducible. Environment: Windows 11 home 64 bit (specifically 2025-07 Cumulative Update for Windows 11 Version 24H2 for x64-based Systems ) Running Thunderbird 140.0.1: Thunderbird 140.1.1esr was auto installed on July 10, 2025. Version history says that the install failed, but version showed as 140.0.1esr. This is when the problem began. On July 18th, I downloaded the release version of Thunderbird and installed that (140.0.1 - no esr). This did not resolve the problem. Troubleshooting info now shows 140.0.1 - no esr as the current version, but the update history does not show that upgrade/downgrade in the list, so I'm not sure it happened. Things I have tried: Windows safe mode Thunderbird safe mode Clear caches Removed several mail accounts from Thunderbird Below is system info from Thunderbird troubleshooting page. Application Basics Name: Thunderbird Version: 140.0.1 Build ID: 20250709044702 Distribution ID:

Modified by Wayne Mery

Chosen solution

That's a bug to be fixed soon. Meanwhile, try this:

- go to TB menu > Settings > General 

- scroll all the way down and click the 'Config editor' button on the right

- click 'Accept the risk and continue'

- search for accessibility.force_disabled > change the value to 1 > click the check mark

- restart TB
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All Replies (2)

Ed
Ed
  • Top 25 Contributor
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Chosen Solution

That's a bug to be fixed soon. Meanwhile, try this:

- go to TB menu > Settings > General 

- scroll all the way down and click the 'Config editor' button on the right

- click 'Accept the risk and continue'

- search for accessibility.force_disabled > change the value to 1 > click the check mark

- restart TB
Wayne Mery
Wayne Mery
  • Top 10 Contributor
  • Moderator
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Harold, if the accessibility preference helped...

If you can supply the information mentioned at https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1972457#c27 it may help us better understand the problem.

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