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Adding an Account: Google Authentication Window pop-up doesn't appear

  • 2 replies
  • 0 have this problem
  • 43 views
  • Last reply by Toad-Hall

pedrocps
pedrocps

Hi,

I'm using a google provided email (but it's not gmail) which is provided by my school. When I try to set up my email, everything works fine, Thunderbird detects the settings. When I try to log in I get the error message "Unable to log in at server. Probably wrong configuration, username or password". If I go though the settings the authentication method is "normal password" when it should be "oauth2" but that option is missing. The pop-up to log in to my Google Account to authorize the app does NOT appear no matter what.

I've had this issue multiple times in the past (as I change schools) and I was able to solve it once. In my Windows install I changed some flag in the Config Editor (and I forgot which) and the following time I tried to add the account the Google authentication pop up appeared. Do note that the outlook app (new one and classic) sets up the account just fine without me having to configure or change anything.

So right now I have Thunderbird able to access that account on Windows, but I can't get my install in Nobara (Fedora based) to do so because (I think) the Google authentication pop up doesn't open so that I can go to the account and allow the specific Thunderbird install to use the email.

I've also tried 4 or 5 other email clients available in Flatpost and none are able to trigger the Google pop up thing. I don't think the issue is the OS because I had the same exact issue with thunderbird on Windows until I changed some flag in the Config Editor.

I would appreciate if anyone could help me out, i've spent hours scouring the internet for options and (unfortunately) nothing has worked so far and I've been unable to find the instruction with the flag I need to follow that fixed my issue the other time.

Hi, I'm using a google provided email (but it's not gmail) which is provided by my school. When I try to set up my email, everything works fine, Thunderbird detects the settings. When I try to log in I get the error message "Unable to log in at server. Probably wrong configuration, username or password". If I go though the settings the authentication method is "normal password" when it should be "oauth2" but that option is missing. The pop-up to log in to my Google Account to authorize the app does NOT appear no matter what. I've had this issue multiple times in the past (as I change schools) and I was able to solve it once. In my Windows install I changed some flag in the Config Editor (and I forgot which) and the following time I tried to add the account the Google authentication pop up appeared. Do note that the outlook app (new one and classic) sets up the account just fine without me having to configure or change anything. So right now I have Thunderbird able to access that account on Windows, but I can't get my install in Nobara (Fedora based) to do so because (I think) the Google authentication pop up doesn't open so that I can go to the account and allow the specific Thunderbird install to use the email. I've also tried 4 or 5 other email clients available in Flatpost and none are able to trigger the Google pop up thing. I don't think the issue is the OS because I had the same exact issue with thunderbird on Windows until I changed some flag in the Config Editor. I would appreciate if anyone could help me out, i've spent hours scouring the internet for options and (unfortunately) nothing has worked so far and I've been unable to find the instruction with the flag I need to follow that fixed my issue the other time.

Modified by pedrocps

All Replies (2)

Toad-Hall
Toad-Hall
  • Top 25 Contributor

re : Nobara (Fedora based) - the Google authentication pop up doesn't open

Check some settings on computer.

Firewall: Access Firewall - it might be the default on computer or controlled by an Anti-Virus program you installed. Set up Thunderbird program as 'allowed' so nothing gets blocked.

  • Confirm Thunderbird is set up as allowed program.

VPN: Check computer for a VPN. Some Anti-Virus products now offer a VPN and I have come across some people who did not realise one had been enabled. Switch off VPN (or create split tunnelling and set it up for Thunderbird to use). Gmail does not like VPN as it atempts to hide your IP address, so gmail decides you might be hacker so it auto blocks access.

  • Confirm VPN is switched off

Localhost: Do you have anything using the 'localhost'? People who manage websites may typically use eg: Apache Xampp or similar. You need to switch of any program using the localhost whilst setting up gmail. You can enable it again afterwards. I had to switch off Apache Xampp.

  • Confirm nothing is using localhost.

In Thunderbird

  • Settings > Privacy & Security
  • Web Content
  • Select 'Accept cookies from sites'
  • Click on 'Exceptions' button
  • Enter this : https://accounts.google.com
  • Click on 'Allow
  • Click on 'Save Changes'
  • Whilst in that area - scroll to Passwords section
  • click on 'Saved Passwords'
  • If you see any mention of the account username email address you are trying to set up - select the relevant lines and click on 'Remove'
  • Click on Close

I would switch off the following as it's still experimental.

  • Settings > General
  • Account Hub
  • uncheck this checkbox: 'Create accounts in the new Account Hub'

Then create the mail account

  • Menu app > New Account > Email
  • Enter name
  • Enter gmail email address
  • Enter password
  • Select checkbox to remember password.
  • Click on 'Continue'

Thunderbird by default will look for the IMAP server settings. They should be:

  • Server name: imap.gmail.com
  • Port: 993
  • Connection Security: SSL/TLS
  • Authentication Method: OAuth2
  • Username = full gmail email address
  • Password is the same one you use to access webmail

Outgoing SMTP:

  • Server name: smtp.gmail.com
  • Port: 465
  • Connection Security: SSL/TLS
  • Authentication Method: OAuth2
  • Username = full gmail email address
  • Password is the same one you use to access webmail

Assuming all is ok click on 'Done'

You should then get the gmail pop up browser type window. It will ask you to confirm you really are you and the then askif you want to allow Thunderbird access to server.

Then an OAuth token gets created and stored in the same place as all other passwords.

Modified by Toad-Hall

Toad-Hall
Toad-Hall
  • Top 25 Contributor

Where did you get the Thunderbird download? Was it from the official website: https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/all/

These are the system requirements - scroll down for Linux info and check you have all required packages.

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