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Simultaneous authorization failure of ALL of my Thunderbird gmail account

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  • Last reply by Matt

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I use Thunderbird on my Windows 10 desktop PC to access multiple Gmail accounts.

Since March 22nd I have been unable to send or receive email on all of my Gmail accounts. This failure started on all of my Gmail accounts simultaneously. Initially I received a popup message in the lower right portion of my screen reporting authorization failure (sorry, but I do not have the exact text of this message).

Currently I receive the following message: "Did not connect: Potential Security Issue" "Thunderbird detected a potential security threat and did not continue to accounts.google.com because the website requires a secure connection." (I get one of these messages for each Gmail account).

My troubleshooting steps so far

1) I have verified all of my passwords via the Gmail web portal. Passwords function normally. 2) My Gmail email still functions normally on my tablet and my phone. 3) I have completely uninstalled (rebooted) then re-installed Thunderbird on my PC. Failure - same message as above. 4) I have removed one of my Gmail accounts (rebooted) then reinstalled the account. Both via the Thunderbird automated tool and via manual setup (following instructions supplied by both Mozilla and Google). Failure - same message as above. 5) I have installed a different email app (BlueMail) on my PC and set up my gmail accounts. All accounts function as expected. (BlueMail sucks but at least it's functional...LOL). 6) Through the course of my trouble shooting I did receive a one time Thunderbird message indicating that Gmails security certificate had expired. (Doubtful) 7) I am running a fairly basic home network with only Windows Defender providing a software security layer. 8) I have searched through this forum (and the internet at large) for possible solutions. While the error messages I have received seem reasonably common, none of the suggested solutions have proved beneficial. 9) While not impossible, I can not associate this issue with any changes I have made with my PC hardware or software.

After retiring from the corporate world I decided that Outlook had far more complexity than I needed, so after trying out numerous email applications (both free and paid) I settled on Thunderbird which has worked flawlessly for me for over 3 years. I am currently at my wits end... hopefully someone in this forum can help. Thanks in advance, Mark H.

I use Thunderbird on my Windows 10 desktop PC to access multiple Gmail accounts. Since March 22nd I have been unable to send or receive email on all of my Gmail accounts. This failure started on all of my Gmail accounts simultaneously. Initially I received a popup message in the lower right portion of my screen reporting authorization failure (sorry, but I do not have the exact text of this message). Currently I receive the following message: "Did not connect: Potential Security Issue" "Thunderbird detected a potential security threat and did not continue to accounts.google.com because the website requires a secure connection." (I get one of these messages for each Gmail account). My troubleshooting steps so far 1) I have verified all of my passwords via the Gmail web portal. Passwords function normally. 2) My Gmail email still functions normally on my tablet and my phone. 3) I have completely uninstalled (rebooted) then re-installed Thunderbird on my PC. Failure - same message as above. 4) I have removed one of my Gmail accounts (rebooted) then reinstalled the account. Both via the Thunderbird automated tool and via manual setup (following instructions supplied by both Mozilla and Google). Failure - same message as above. 5) I have installed a different email app (BlueMail) on my PC and set up my gmail accounts. All accounts function as expected. (BlueMail sucks but at least it's functional...LOL). 6) Through the course of my trouble shooting I did receive a one time Thunderbird message indicating that Gmails security certificate had expired. (Doubtful) 7) I am running a fairly basic home network with only Windows Defender providing a software security layer. 8) I have searched through this forum (and the internet at large) for possible solutions. While the error messages I have received seem reasonably common, none of the suggested solutions have proved beneficial. 9) While not impossible, I can not associate this issue with any changes I have made with my PC hardware or software. After retiring from the corporate world I decided that Outlook had far more complexity than I needed, so after trying out numerous email applications (both free and paid) I settled on Thunderbird which has worked flawlessly for me for over 3 years. I am currently at my wits end... hopefully someone in this forum can help. Thanks in advance, Mark H.

All Replies (1)

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I largely stopped reading when I got to

Currently I receive the following message: "Did not connect: Potential Security Issue" "Thunderbird detected a potential security threat and did not continue to accounts.google.com because the website requires a secure connection." (I get one of these messages for each Gmail account).

This is almost invariably an issue with an antivirus program attempting to scan email using self signed encryption certificates (SSL/TLS) that Thunderbird does not allow unless you manually create exceptions for them. The simple solution is disallow the email a scanning. The more difficult solution is to follow the antivirus vendors instruction on how to make their self signed certificates trusted by Thunderbird for encryption.

However Defender does not play those games as it does not scan email.

Perhaps open the error console. (ctrl+shift+J) Clear it using the trash can icon in the left corner of its toolbar and then try and get mail for one of the accounts. The errors may offer something more useful that what we have now as your issue sounds like something from a VPN or antivirus, not normal system stuff.

Note there is a right click menu ion the console to allow you to copy all the messages if you want to copy and paste to share them or save them.