Cannot download email

Hello there Duckfarmer27 .

Situation This situation with legacy accounts is common; old settings often remain cached behind newly updated passwords.

In Mozilla Thunderbird, these hidden, corrupt, or legacy passwords, logins, and server configurations can get cached in the password vault.

Occasionally, the application fails to distinguish them after you change your settings, and it sends the old credentials along with the new ones without notifying you.

Passwords Try deleting all saved credentials, and then save only the new password. Afterward, reconfigure your server settings in your other mail program to ensure everything is configured correctly."Actionable Troubleshooting GuideIf you are encountering this issue in your email client, use these concrete steps to resolve the conflicting server and password entries:

1. Clear the Credential ManagerIn Thunderbird: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Passwords and click Saved Passwords. Click Remove All to clear the cache. In Windows: Search for Credential Manager in the Start menu, go to Windows Credentials, and delete any old login entries related to your email provider.

2. Verify Spectrum Mail Settings , if the issue persists, you may need to delete the account and set it up manually. Verify your email client is using the latest official Spectrum Mail Settings:Account Type: IMAPIncoming Server: mobile.charter.netIncoming Port: 993 (Requires SSL/TLS)Outgoing Server: mobile.charter.netOutgoing Port: 587 (Requires SSL/TLS or STARTTLS)

Use or read https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/cannot-receive-messages

Tip Try to delete all passwords and save the new password on the end to be remembered.

Hello there

What kind of old system do you mean? Is it save to go on? Is there antivirus on these pc machines?

Tip Modern machines computer already come with built - in security and antivirus software.

Hello there

Okay you used a wrong port is this really? Yes , having spectrum in this time’s is old fashioned. Is this the modern way, or was it done differently in the past?

Hello there

Advice to the engineer My best advice for your situation is to explore different domain names and find an email client combination that works for you, such as Mozilla Thunderbird. You may need to transition to a new email provider and perhaps even set up a custom domain with a service like Cloudflare. I highly recommend looking into privacy-focused services like Proton Mail, Tuta, Fastmail, or Purelymail. These work incredibly well in combination with Thunderbird. Alternatively, you could always stick to Outlook

Tip They let you upgrade to IMAP or OAuth 2.0 for better security. But since you like having your emails downloaded locally instead of sitting on someone else's server, POP is more important to you. Are you thinking about trying a new email program, or are you going to keep using Spectrum?

Thanks - a good reply.

I've been thinking for the last couple years along the lines you proposed. Easy enough to get a domain and set things up, I just have to do that. Which also entails doing enough research to make some reasonable choices. Appreciate the suggested services - gives me some starting points.

Basically I have just been putting off doing this for two reasons. One is just the inertia of having to change email addresses everywhere. A pain in the neck for me - much more resistance from my wife of 56 years who is less than enthused when dealing with technical issues. Second is I really need to study up a bit when I'd rather be doing other things. LOL

We live in a rural area and the only choice we have for an internet provider is Spectrum. I'm not paranoid but do have a background such that I fully know what can happen and don't like leaving a digital footprint floating. Some old habits die hard - just not a fan of the 'big old cloud for everything..

Thanks much and as we are back to usable at the moment I'll start reading and learning - and then make some changes.

Hello there

Spectrum is the only provider available for a reliable connection. However, using a reputable VPN router at the gateway or a privacy-focused DNS service will do wonders to shield your local traffic from ISP snooping.

Cause The ultimate solution was to clear all passwords. Rather, IMAP and POP settings were failing.

When they checked the box to save the new password, Thunderbird likely saved it for SMTP but either failed to update or corrupted the saved password for the incoming server.

Clear Saved Passwords in Thunderbird and look at the server setting might solved this problem.

Switching to the correct port number definitely did the trick. Good job.