TB hangs looking up IMAP server
TB is hanging on startup as it cannot connect to an IMAP server (Ping times out) I am chasing this separately. If I click on the TB window it grays out and I have to shut TB. I know which account is causing the problem but how can I start TB WITHOUT it trying to access servers so I can delete the problem account?? Thanks in advance. Paul N
All Replies (5)
Chosen Solution
Suggest you try starting up Thunderbird in offline mode.
Either Start Thunderbird as normal Immediately look bottom left of Status bar and click on the go 'Offline' icon located bottom left if you hover over the icon it has a tooltip 'You are currently online' - click on that icon to go offline.
OR Use the Profile Manager You can choose the 'Work Offline' option and then click on 'Start Thunderbird' and it will start up in offline mode. Info here: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profile-manager-create-and-remove-thunderbird-profiles#w_start-the-profile-manager-when-thunderbird-is-closed
I created a permanent shortcut icon on desktop just to open 'Profile Manager' so if needed it's much quicker to run. Create a normal shortcut to Thunderbird. Right click on Shortcut and select 'Properties' Edit the 'Target' So if Target says: "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Thunderbird\thunderbird.exe"
Add a space then a dash then a capital P So Target says: "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Thunderbird\thunderbird.exe" -P click on 'Apply' and click 'OK'
Yes, those " really exist in the Target and it's not me adding it.
Then I renamed it as 'Thunderbird Profile Manager'
This this get you access to Thunderbird so can remove the account ?
After removing the account - also remove the stored passwords associated with that account.
Then you can go back to online mode and enter the account again or not as the case may be.
Bottom left of Status bar - click on the offline icon to go to an online icon.
If this information worked for you please mark this comment as the Chosen Solution.
Many Thanks Toad-Hall (parp-parp)
Ah! Spoke too soon. Managed to get offline. Disabled problem account from getting messages on start-up, problem moved to the nest account I have access to. This is a Gmail account. Checked imap.gmail.com with a ping which was ok. I have not altered any settings on any mail accounts. Any thoughts on what to try next ?? Thanks
What Anti-virus product are you using ?
When thunderbird hangs/not responding, one of the main culprits is the Anti-virus. It may be set up to check every file that gets opened and downloaded. When Thunderbird tries to download it will open certain files eg: the Inbox mbox file so it can write to that file. If another program has interrupted the process, thunderbird can hang. Equally, if every email that gets downloaded is also being scanned, there is an interruption to the flow of process.
I suggest to check out the following to see if this gets things working: Firewall The Anti-Virus may also control the Firewall. Exit Thunderbird Access 'Firewall' Make sure the Thunderbird program is set up as an allowed program. Then we can be sure the Firewall is not causing any problem
Anti-Virus Access Anti-virus I would suggest you set up an exception to not allow any scanning of the 'Thunderbird' folder that contains all the profiles etc. If you got the Thunderbird program from the official website:
Then by default this is the 'Thunderbird' folder to exclude and it should mean nothing in that folder gets scanned.
- C://Users/username/Appdata/Roaming/Thunderbird
If you got Thunderbird from the 'Windows App Store' then Windows puts the Thunderbird profile folder in an entirely different location:
- C:\\Users\username\AppData\Local\packages\MozillaThunderbird.MZLA_h5892qc0xkpca\LocalCache\Roaming\Thunderbird
Even if you really want your AV to scan your profile files and folders - I would strongly advise you do not allow the AV to do a Fix. It must ask you what to do and then you stop it. Av's have no idea that one 'Inbox' mbox file can store more than the one problem email. It holds the entire contents of the Inbox. A fix runs the risk of deleting everything in Inbox and if you have an Imap account, that could also mean a deletion off the server when synchronisation occurs. Personally, it's just too risky for me, but it's up to you.
If you by any chance are using Avast and download of emails is a problem then disable the 'Mail Shield' and that should get emails downloaded. It's well known for being a problem.
Then start Thunderbird and see if you get a better result. Please report back on what occurs.
Also check computer to see if you have an VPN which has been enabled. Some Anti-Virus products also offer VPN and some people have discovered an update auto installed and enabled a VPN. Many servers do not like VPN because it blocks your IP address which server expected and they can get awkward and block access as they think you might be a hacker.
You must log in to your account to reply to posts. Please start a new question, if you do not have an account yet.