Unable to log in at server Error when trying to add Gmail Account
Hi there Thunderbird Community,
I am first time user of Thunderbird, and I am using version 140.2.0esr (64-bit).
I have been trying to connect my Gmail account, and it keeps on giving me this error that I have seen on other threads: "Unable to log in at server. Probably wrong configuration, username or password."
From the other threads, I tried to do the troubleshooting suggested:
- cleared the cookies associated with Google - added https://account.google.com as an Exception for Cookies and to always allow - disabled Account Hub since it seems to have issues from what I read on another thread - changed my Google account password - tried another Gmail account with no success - tried various Thunderbird versions, uninstalling the old one before reinstalling the new one: Thunderbird Release (Recommended), Thunderbird Extended Support Release (current version being used), and Thunderbird Beta. I have not tried Thunderbird Daily.
I have added Google OAuth screen-by-screen images of what I saw before getting the Thunderbird client error message.
Any ideas?
Thanks! James
Chosen solution
Run Windows in safe mode with networking to eliminate the possible interference of startup apps.
Read this answer in context 👍 0All Replies (9)
The exception should be https://accounts.google.com/ with an 's'. Also, remove any entries in Saved Passwords, restart TB.
Hi sfhowes,
Thanks for pointing that out - my bad.
I changed the exception to https://accounts.google.com/, confirmed no passwords saved, cleared cookies associated with Google, restarted TB, and same result.
No passwords saved either. I also checked my Google account for any connected third-party apps and no TB.
What else should I try?
Thanks!
There's no obvious reason for the failure, except possibly if you're using a VPN or some interfering security app.
The password you enter should be the account password, not an app password.
The password I am entering is the password for my Google account.
I am not using a VPN.
To remove my ISP (Grande / Astound) as a potential culprit, I just tried using my phone's Hotspot (T-Mobile) making sure my wifi was turned off on my phone, removed all cookies, restarted TB, and same result.
I did just try to add that same Google account to the Thunderbird Mobile app, and it added it just fine using the Google account password (like it should). Yet won't do it on desktop.
Chosen Solution
Run Windows in safe mode with networking to eliminate the possible interference of startup apps.
Thank you so much - running Windows in Safe Mode with Networking and hooking my laptop to an ethernet cable (connected to the wifi router) worked!
What program was causing the issue I'll never know. It's a Dell laptop so presume there may be some bloatware on it causing an issue even though I only have Windows Defender on.
Here's Microsoft support page on how to enter Safe Mode with Networking: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-startup-settings-1af6ec8c-4d4a-4b23-adb7-e76eef0b847f
Thanks again!!!
It would be helpful if you could post a screenshot or list of the startup apps. Click the Start button and type startup. I'm pretty sure we can isolate the culprit, typically a non-MS security app, online backup app or web server.
Here you go - full list of my laptop's Startup Apps that are On. Hope you can pinpoint the right one(s)!
The only one that looks to me like a non-standard process is the Credant entry, which is some kind of encryption facility. That's the first one I would disable to see if it affects email connections. The rest look benign.
You must log in to your account to reply to posts. Please start a new question, if you do not have an account yet.