Thunderbird Community Forum

recently, e-mails have been hanging. I have determined that it is, for the most part at least, USPS mail tracking e-mails that hang. Once I delete or move to archive, things download fine.

This is not the daily Informed Delivery e-mail.

This is like "your package (tracking number nnnnn) has arrived at the distribution center. Expected delivery mm/dd/yyyy.

I have restarted, repaired in box, etc.

Any help?

Thunderbird has become extreme slow. Like it's doing task in the background. Takes emails longer to display and mouse becomes jerky. All other programs OK Especially noticeable after leaving TB running for a while. The previous versions were snappy. This version is very noticeably slower.

My Thunderbird (158 Meadow) is very slow sending emails. Up to 30 seconds for an ordinary message. Most often thew people are in my address book but even if they are no the problem is common across all outgoing emails. Windows 11 Laptop 26H2, 64Gb Ram, 500Gb SSD, 200GB free, i7 (12 Edition) Intel I have already checked that my Windows Defender antivirus has the profile folder as an "exception" Compressed my "send" folder Run "repair" on my send folder I have about 500 emails in my send folder I have an IMAP set up with SMTP set to 465 SSL/TLS Normal password I have checked my webmail and that works fine so it is not a problem with hosting etc.

I am unable to access my emails in Thunderbird. Thunderbird opened but does not respond as there appear to be some files /emails that it could not accessed.

I tried deleting the Parent.lock file. I then deleted Thunderbird and re-installed it.

On opening the updated instance, it comes up with the same couple of files/emails in the list. With the same ones seemingly trying to be loaded. See attachment. The files are Invoice 03-10-20 and Ticket_1.pdf

It's very odd. Normally moving an email, say from the Inbox to the relevant year's archive, takes "no time at all".

Which is true for all the mailboxes shown on the attached screenshot, EXCEPT for the four at the bottom. Moving even one message from Inbox to Yiddish can take ten seconds or longer (with the dreaded "Not Responding" occasionally). Moving something in the opposite direction is also screwy, only from those four.

I had thought that it was because they're rather large. This first started when there were just Yiddish and MSW, and I split off most of the earlier years into the archives shown. To no avail.

It's only an annoyance, but I'm puzzled about how such a thing could happen.

Also very slow tagging or untagging a message just in those mailboxes.

Moderator Notes:

• need a performance profile https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiling-thunderbird-performance

• • Subject: Severe recurring UI freezes after upgrading Thunderbird from v114 to v150+ — application becomes unresponsive after being left idle**

Hello Thunderbird Support Team,

I'm experiencing a serious and persistent performance issue with Thunderbird that began immediately after upgrading from version 114 to version 150 in September 2026. The problem has continued through multiple subsequent updates and is now severely affecting my daily work.

I've been using Thunderbird for years, and it worked reliably before this major upgrade.

• • The problem**

Thunderbird launches normally and initially works perfectly. However, after I leave it open in the background while working in other applications, it frequently becomes completely unresponsive when I return to it.

Specifically:

- Thunderbird is initially fast and responsive after launching. - After approximately 5–10 minutes, or sometimes after a longer period of inactivity, it begins experiencing severe lag or freezes completely. - When I switch back to Thunderbird, the interface is often unresponsive for several minutes. - I often have to force-close the application through Windows because it becomes practically unusable. - Restarting Thunderbird temporarily restores normal performance, but the problem eventually returns, when it's left idle. - The issue occurs repeatedly throughout the day and makes it very difficult to use Thunderbird reliably.

Importantly, this is not simply slow startup performance. Thunderbird initially works perfectly, and the freezing develops after it has been running for a while, particularly when left in the background.

• • Version and environment**

- Operating system: Windows 11 Pro, 64-bit - Thunderbird version before the upgrade: 114 - Version initially upgraded to: 150 - Subsequently confirmed version: 156.0.1 (64-bit), on September 29, 2026 - Problem first appeared: September 2026 - Problem still present: October 22, 2026 - Current Thunderbird version: 158.0.1

• • Troubleshooting already performed**

1. **Global search indexing:** I noticed that Thunderbird's Activity Manager frequently displayed "Indexing messages." I suspected that indexing might be causing the problem.

2. **Disabled Global Search and Indexer (Gloda):** Unfortunately, this made no meaningful difference. Thunderbird continued freezing even with global indexing disabled.

3. **Multiple Thunderbird updates:** The application has been updated repeatedly since the initial upgrade, but the freezing has persisted.

4. **Restarting Thunderbird:** Temporarily resolves the problem, but only until Thunderbird has been running for some time.

• • Additional unusual behavior: Google OAuth authentication**

On at least two occasions, after force-closing an unresponsive Thunderbird process, Google Chrome unexpectedly opened a Google authorization page saying:

"Mozilla Thunderbird Email wants access to your Google Account."

The page also indicated that Thunderbird already had some access to the Google account.

After clicking "Continue," Chrome redirected to a localhost address (127.0.0.1 equivalent, using a dynamically assigned port), which failed with:

"ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED — localhost refused to connect."

I suspect this happens because Thunderbird is no longer running to receive the OAuth authorization callback.

I'm not sure whether the Google authorization issue is directly related to the freezes, but the repeated timing is suspicious and could indicate a background synchronization or authentication problem.

• • Impact**

I use Thunderbird extensively for professional correspondence and managing my translation business. These recurring freezes are seriously disrupting my workflow.

The problem has now persisted for over a month, despite updates and troubleshooting. It is becoming increasingly difficult to continue using Thunderbird in this condition.

• • What I would appreciate help investigating**

Could you please advise on how to identify the background process or operation that causes Thunderbird to become unresponsive after it has been running for several minutes?

In particular, I would appreciate guidance on:

- Whether this is a known regression affecting users who upgraded from much older Thunderbird versions. - Whether IMAP synchronization, background authentication, or Google OAuth activity could be responsible. - Whether there are diagnostic logs or performance profiles I can collect while Thunderbird is frozen. - Whether a particular database, profile component, or setting could be responsible without requiring me to rebuild my entire Thunderbird setup. - Whether there are known fixes or workarounds.

I'm happy to provide additional diagnostic information, screenshots, or logs if that would help identify the cause.

I would particularly appreciate a way to capture what Thunderbird is actually doing during these freezes, rather than continuing to try speculative troubleshooting steps.

Thank you in advance for your assistance!

I was referred here from Thunderbird Bugzilla report 2081665.

We are experiencing a recurring problem with Thunderbird 153 on several Windows workstations in a business environment.

The important point is that the problem also occurs with completely new Thunderbird profiles created from scratch. It is not limited to migrated or old profiles.

On one workstation this has already happened to three separate Thunderbird profiles.

Typical sequence:

1. Thunderbird 153 is installed. 2. A completely new profile is created. 3. Mail accounts are configured manually. 4. Everything initially works normally. 5. After some time the profile begins to malfunction. 6. Thunderbird Settings no longer open/respond. 7. The address books still exist, but address autocomplete when composing a new message stops working. 8. Creating another new profile temporarily fixes the problem, but the same behavior can return later.

Troubleshooting already performed:

- Troubleshoot Mode - extensions disabled - tested without the existing prefs.js - rebuilt Thunderbird caches and profile UI state - recreated indexes/databases - completely removed Thunderbird from Program Files, AppData\Roaming and AppData\Local - clean Thunderbird installation - clean profile created from scratch - Thunderbird executable and profile paths added to Kaspersky Endpoint Security trusted applications/exclusions

Removing prefs.js from an already affected profile did not restore the Settings window.

A clean test profile initially works correctly.

We have also encountered this behavior on other workstations. Some users have more than 100 message filters and many folders, so rebuilding profiles repeatedly causes significant administrative work.

Several affected computers had Windows user accounts renamed in the past.

We also experienced a separate issue where the Attach File dialog stopped appearing while drag-and-drop still worked. Bugzilla identified this as the already known Bug 2077590, so I consider that a separate issue.

For comparison, after completely cleaning Thunderbird from an affected workstation and installing Thunderbird 115.3.1 with a clean profile, the same workstation currently works normally.

Because freshly created Thunderbird 153 profiles can later develop the same problem again, simply recreating the profile does not appear to be a permanent solution.

Environment:

- Windows workstations - Thunderbird 153 ESR - Kaspersky Endpoint Security - multiple IMAP accounts - business environment

What diagnostic information should I collect from the next affected profile before replacing it?

I can provide:

- Thunderbird Troubleshooting Information - Error Console output - profile file names/sizes/timestamps - Windows Event Viewer logs - sanitized prefs.js - comparison with a working fresh profile

Bugzilla report: 2081665 Known separate attachment bug: 2077590

This seems to have occurred in the last month or so.

Whenever I click on a message in the folders pane, the message is not displayed correctly in any of the three layout views but, if I am offered to display in a browser, it does! Also, if I select 'Edit as a new message' it displays correctly, as also do iPhone and iPads. The screenshot shows the problem?

Any ideas, anyone?

Hello, I am having an issue that Emails which are displayed in the reading area disapper for appr. 2 minutes. Afterwards they appear again. I have not been able to find out if this is a problem in Thunderbird, or if another application is causing this. I have read an article that Avast Antivirus is temporarily locking folders during scan. Maybe someone has had the same topic and can give me a hint where to search for the root cause. Thank you.

My Thunderbird connected to my gmail is running slow. Thunderbird is not running slow on my other (non-gmail) account. It takes 10-15 seconds for an e-mail (from gmail) to be deleted or moved within Thunderbird. I have tried "compacting folders" and "repairing folders" and that does not help. Please help!

I am having constant problems for months now with Thunderbird freezing and message not responding. It appears to happen mostly when trying to empty deleted folder in block like 20 or more. If I deleted in blocks of four all is ok. As soon as I try to delete a larger amount at once it freezes and displays the message Thunderbird Not Responding. I have followed u tube videos to the letter to attempt repair with no success any ideas please?

Thunderbird (153.4.0esr (64-bit) ) does not display or let the user change its printer setting before launching print preview from the print command. If Thunderbird is set to choose a missing printer, it gets stuck trying to contact the missing device in order to prepare a print preview. It seems to be stuck forever, it does not seem to time out. There is no cancel button. If you close the document tab, you can permanently lose the document if it is a draft email, unless the email service saves it in a trash folder. The printer setting can be cleared if the user manages to learn how to display and clear the troubleshooting information.

Thunderbird needs to display the printer setting and permit the user to change it before launching the print preview operation. It needs to display a cancel button during the print preview operation.

I upgraded my system to Kubuntu 26.04 LTS and started Thunderbird. The window where messages are listed was covered with Thundrbird presentation asking for donation. Only edge of one message is seen above the presentation and I cannot get to the list

Lately, Thunderbird has been using excessive CPU time even when idle. I am on Windows 11 and running the 153.3.1esr release of Thunderbird. It's impacting other applications. When I exit Thunderbird, everything runs faster. Right now it's using over 7% CPU and about 500 MB of ram.

Hardware is HP Pavilion Desktop 590-p0xxx. Intel i5-8400 2.8 GHz 12 GB ram.

My Thunderbird app takes some minutes to start up. Updates are OK, troubleshooting does not show any failures. Emailing functions well, no problems. There is a new problem: dragging files to my Explorer has stopped to function.

I have a good HPPro "Desc 400 G5 MT"" PC running on Windows 11 (no problems).

Kindly advice actions to take. Do I loose my Address Book in case I uninstall my Thunderbird and Install a new copy of the Programme. Yours - Jarl Jaatinen, Finland

Hello David and thank you for your prompt answer. The situation between my mails ubfortunately remain the same. Nothwithstanding my re-installation of Thunderbird. I run a "HP ProDesk 200 GS MT" PC with Windows 11 and full virus protection etc. I clean my PC and run troubleshooting regularly. Never any problem. And now: Thunderbird opens at command and can be moved on my screen with minutes of delay. I can select mail address book and calender but I can not use them. Incoming ermails show on the screen but I can noy open them. If a drag an incoming mail to my Explorer app, then Explorer gets blocked and I must restart my PC. I can not open the Send Mail function. I can not open older mails on the Expolrer. Thus I am completedly stuck. Can you fix this problem? In case you can not assist me, I will load the Outlook program to get going. Pleas send tour commenst ASAP. Yours Jarl Jaatinen, Finland

I'm on a 15" MacBook Air M5 running and updated OS to Golden Gate 27.0 a couple of days ago. when I Open Thunderbird the emails are up but page is blank, just spinning pizza wheel. I've force quit Thunderbird and restarted and force quit and shut down several times but ends up with the same result... just the spinning wheel. Any suggestions ?

I'm running Thunderbird 156.0 on Windows 11 with ten IMAP accounts (Gmail, Outlook.com and Zoho) plus one Exchange account served by the Owl add-on, and until recently about 30 GB of mail held locally. On starting Thunderbird, folders are destroyed and re-created empty. It happens often, but not every time. The summary files are deleted, and in some cases the whole folder directory goes with its mbox message store inside it. The folders then come back in the folder pane holding nothing, and Thunderbird downloads all the mail again over several hours, re-indexing as it goes. When a folder directory has been re-created, it appears on disk with a numeric suffix, so one of my folders now lives at COMPLIANCE-1.sbd with an abandoned COMPLIANCE-2.sbd sitting beside it. Column layouts and favourite-folder flags are lost at the same time, because they live in the summary files. It happens on ordinary restarts, rather than after Windows updates or sleep.

Those orphaned directories have let me date three separate occurrences: 18 August 2025, 19 February 2026 and 19 September 2026 — those being the occasions that happened to leave orphaned directories behind. Most leave no trace, because the folder refills and the evidence is overwritten. Each has the same signature. A folder directory is created, and roughly five minutes later a summary file of about 1,200 to 1,500 bytes, which is an empty summary, is written into it. In the two older cases it was never touched again. In one event eleven summary files across two folder trees were written with an identical timestamp to the second, so it appears to be a single operation across a set of folders rather than something that walks through them one at a time. One of the destroyed folders left its mbox stores behind, orphaned with no summary file, while another was deleted whole with 50 MB of mail inside it, so there seem to be two different outcomes in the same event. Bitdefender is running, but its quarantine holds nothing from the September event, and there are no Thunderbird entries in the Windows event log for that period.

The part that may be useful is that I have reproduced it. On 19 September I renamed folderCache.json aside with Thunderbird closed and restarted. Eight minutes later folders were destroyed. The twelve I could identify were all children of INBOX, across two different mail providers, though other folders elsewhere were emptied in the same minute. The Exchange account served by the Owl add-on was untouched. At the moment of destruction the Activity Manager showed "[NONEXISTENT] Invalid folder: INBOX^Practice Filing (Failure)" on the Gmail account, where the correct hierarchy delimiter is a forward slash rather than a caret. My folderCache.json is 5.2 MB with about 13,000 entries, of which roughly 1,200 point at summary files that no longer exist and 9,600 sit under an obsolete lowercase profile path from the 129 to 139 version window. I would rather not delete it again given what happened, so I'm looking for any idea of what triggers this on an ordinary restart, and whether there is anything I can set that would stop Thunderbird discarding local folders when it decides they are missing.

I am going in circles with this. If I build a new profile, is there any point bringing the old configuration across, or would that just reimport whatever is wrong? I assume the address books and filter files are safe and that folderCache.json, prefs.js and the unified-folders directories are not, but I do not know whether the problem lives in the profile at all, or in how Thunderbird handles an account set this size.

Any ideas?

For a few days I'm having trouble with Asana mails (notification mails informing me about replies, comments, etc).

Clicking on the mail to view it freezes Thunderbird for a good 5 seconds while one CPU core spins at 100%. This only happens with Asana mails (or at least I haven't found any other problematic senders).

I guess it's a problem with validation or parsing of the mail's HTML content. But I don't know how to debug this.

I can't pinpoint exactly when it started happening, but it was around the time I've switched to the [new snap release track](https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/channel-choices-thunderbird-snap-and-flatpak#w_snap-channel-changes-in-2026). But since this happens with Snap and Flatpak I think the culprit may be the 153.0 update.

Things I've tried:

• Clearing cache and msf files.
• Troubleshooting mode with add-ons disabled.
• Reinstallation. Creating new profile + importing old data.
• Switching from Snap to Flatpak
• Switching Message Body display to Plan Text or Simple HTML.
• Disabling HW acceleration.
• Checking console for suspicious output.

Anything I can do to create handle the problem or collect information for a proper bug report?