have you tried one of the default sounds?

I just downloaded this file https://free-loops.com/3256-youve-got-mail.html set it to be used for getting mail and clicked play. Does either of your file, or the one at the link, work when you click play in settings?

I am just trying to narrow down the possibilities here.

Thanks for your response. Yes, I've tried the default sound, as well as .wav files from my own collection. For years, ANY SOUND I selected would reliably play with incoming mail. Suddenly, NOTHING will play when new mail arrives. However, the 'test' function in settings works fine.

I even uninstalled Thunderbird - and reinstalled it. Amazingly, that made no difference!

I have this problem, too. I have the latest version of Thunderbird (144.0.1) and the latest version of Windows 11 Home. I have had this happen in the past but I don't recall how it was fixed. I have checked ALL Thunderbird and Windows > System settings. NOTHING WORKS. Just like OP, when I click "Test" in Thunderbird, it plays the correct sound file. I even set Windows > System Notifications > Email to the same sound. NO SOUND plays when I receive email in Thunderbird. I have restarted my computer, NO SOUND. (Yes, I have sound from everything else, except Thunderbird new email notifications.)

It would be FANTASTIC if Mozilla could devote some more resources towards providing actual help in the Support system! OP's question is nearly two months old and a resolution has still not been provided.

PLEASE HELP US!

Hi, it's been WEEKS and no responses to this issue!

I have just tried uninstalling Thunderbird (leaving my profile intact) and NO CHANGE! It does not play a notification sound. When I go into Settings > Incoming Mails > Play a sound and check the sound file by pressing "Play," it works. But when I get new email messages, there is still no sound.

Somebody please help with this! I am not always sitting at my desk so I actually need to know when new email comes in.

Same setup as before: I have the latest version of Thunderbird (144.0.1) and the latest version of Windows 11 Home.

Can we send an email to the admin?

HELLO?????

I have now uninstalled--completely--Thunderbird.

I did a fresh download and install of Thunderbird ver. 145.0.

Whether I use a NEW profile, or a reinstalled copy of my old profile: NO SOUND ON INCOMING EMAIL!

I have tried the default sound, I have tried different sound files--they all work when I hit "Play" in Thunderbird > Settings > General > When new messages arrive > Play a sound, but THE DO NOT WORK when I get email.

Is there anybody at Mozilla who can help??? This issue has not received a response from Mozilla in OVER THREE MONTHS!!!!

This is extremely frustrating and I am not the only one with this issue.

"SOLUTION"! (not really...)

Tuesday evening, December 23, 2025, a holiday miracle--I started receiving sound notifications again for new email received! I didn't do anything, didn't make any setttings changes, etc. However, it may be related to the very latest Thunderbird version, now 146.0.1.

So if you are having this issue, update to this latest version and maybe it will be fixed for you, too!