Can't set up new account - thunderbird set up process times out before 2FA code arrives for sign-in
Have got a replacement computer, and downloaded the latest TBird (having used it with AOL) for years). Following initial set up procedure, TB detects correct settings for AOL and the "enter password" page opens from AOL succcessfully for authorisation. AOL requires 2 factor authorisation, and I use a phone code for this.
However the speed at which the code arrives from AOL has always varied quite a bit, and today it is taking almost a minute so the TB set up screen is timing out long before the code arrives. Cant go on retrying as I will get locked out of the account. No point in going for manual set up as the auto settings are correct, so the same problem is going to occur. I have three AOL e-mail addresses to set up! Is there a workaround of some sort for this - its terribly frustrating and the set up screen "connect your e-mail settings" timeout period does seem quite short if you have to wait for a 2FA phone code or e-mail code - any delay in the arrival of which is completely ouside your control . Dave
All Replies (4)
re :AOL requires 2 factor authorisation,
It only requires it because you selected it. If you did not use third party email clients and only accessed AOL via webmail account using a browser then I would advise 2 step verification.
Access the webmail account and switch 2FA off. Depending upon which server you are using to access the AOL account, it requires different password set up.
Are you using the Incoming mail server (IMAP): imap.aol.com server setting ? If yes: Recent changes mean third party apps require you to create/generate a special app password. This is what AOL say on their website. If you use a 3rd-party email app to access your AOL Mail account, you may need a special code to give that app permission to access your AOL account. Please read Info:
Have you logged on to the webmail account and created/generated 'an app password' just to use in Thunderbird? If not, then logon to webmail account, disable/switch off 2FA and then generate the special app password which you can only use in Thunderbird. Use the special generated app password in Thunderbird instead of normal password.
Are you using the Yahoo server to access AOL account ?
If yes, then you would be using 'Authentication Method' = Oauth
Please read this info:
Use the 'normal password' (not an app generated password) when setting up account and granting Thunderbird access to the account which will then create the oauth token and save it in the stored passwords. Thunderbird will use that oauth token to get access.
It only requires it because you selected it. If you did not use third party email clients and only accessed AOL via webmail account using a browser then I would advise 2 step verification.
THanks for your ideas. On 2FA Well, no, I didnt select it, I was told to set it up by AOL one day some time back on the AOL log in screen or I would not be able to acess the account. This happened over a period of days on each of the 3 e-mail addresses I have with AOL There was no option of an opt-out .
The only 3rd party app I use for e-mail is Thunderbird.
Access the webmail account and switch 2FA off. Depending upon which server you are using to access the AOL account, it requires different password set up.
I have looked at settings in AOL and cant see a way to turn 2FA off. If you know where it is please help!
I am trying to set up a new download of Thunderbird with AOL, so the very first page after TB start up shows the auto system selecting appropriate servers. It is auto selecting the same (correct) servers I have been using for years with SSL/TLS security.
Are you using the Incoming mail server (IMAP): imap.aol.com server setting ? If yes: Recent changes mean third party apps require you to create/generate a special app password. This is what AOL say on their website. If you use a 3rd-party email app to access your AOL Mail account, you may need a special code to give that app permission to access your AOL account. Please read Info:
https://help.aol.com/articles/create-and-manage-app-password
No I am using pop 3 in this application. Again it hasnt changed in years, but I would say on pressing OK submit (accepting the TB auto-select) server settings at this first page it then brings up the standard AOL log in page wanting the existing normal password. It is accepting that - as it then asks to send a 2FA code. I understand the extra app passwords (which AOL has used for access like this on pop3 in the past) but thats not why I am stuck where I am.
It is simply the rapid timeout of the TB opening settings page - which is way too short to have a code arrive and be entered on the AOL page which results from pressing submit
Have you logged on to the webmail account and created/generated 'an app password' just to use in Thunderbird? If not, then logon to webmail account, disable/switch off 2FA and then generate the special app password which you can only use in Thunderbird. Use the special generated app password in Thunderbird instead of normal password.
As above, it is acceptnig the existing password OK, but timeout prevents me getting to any further stage to find out if an app password is needed or not. I cant see any 2FA Disable facility. Are you using the Yahoo server to access AOL account ? If yes, then you would be using 'Authentication Method' = Oauth Please read this info:
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/thunderbird-and-yahoo
No not using Yahoo. Auto set up is selecting Oauth 2 which is what I was using OK until my old computer died.
Use the 'normal password' (not an app generated password) when setting up account and granting Thunderbird access to the account which will then create the oauth token and save it in the stored passwords. Thunderbird will use that oauth token to get access.
Again as above I am using normal password as far as it goes, but I cant get beyond the auto setup page to look at password settings because of the timeout. Dont understand why it needs to be so short (less than 20 secs at the last check)
Any more ideas welcome
re : 2 step verification - add or remove: https://help.aol.com/articles/2-step-verification-stronger-than-your-password-alone
Select the option Disable 2-step verification on your account to see drop down showing full information.
re :Are you using the Incoming mail server (IMAP): imap.aol.com server setting ? If yes: Recent changes mean third party apps require you to create/generate a special app password. This is what AOL say on their website. If you use a 3rd-party email app to access your AOL Mail account, you may need a special code to give that app permission to access your AOL account. Please read Info: https://help.aol.com/articles/create-and-manage-app-password
No I am using pop 3 in this application.
I was really talking about whether you are using the aol server or the yahoo server which provides aol access. If using the aol server settings eg: 'imap.aol.com' or 'pop.aol.com'
The point is this - it does not matter if using imap or pop. If you use that aol server and you have set 'Authentication Method: Normal Password': You are using a third party email client and you are using the aol server. You still need to create that app specific password and use it instead of the password you use to access the webmail account. You may discover Thunderbird by default will look for IMAP protocol server settings, so make sure you then select the POP protocol. You cannot have IMAP protocol selected and alter it to use pop server settings.
However, you mention: Auto set up is selecting Oauth 2 which is what I was using OK
In which case, you would use the normal password and the oauth token would get created.
Can you confirm: Firewall Your Firewall has the Thunderbird Program set up as allowed.
VPN You have checked computer including the Anti-virus and there are no VPN enabled.
In Thunderbird You need to make sure the cookies are allowed and there are no previously stored passwords from earlier installations
- Settings > Privacy & Security
- Web Content
- Select 'Accept cookies from sites'
- Accept third party cookies 'Always'
- Scroll down to Passwords section
- Click on 'Saved Passwords'
- check to see if there is any mention of the username = email address you are trying to add.
- You might see more than one line eg:
- Pop accounts use : mailbox://account.....
- smtp will use : smtp://accounts....
- oauth wil use: oauth://account.....
- Remove all lines you find that mention the account you are trying to add.
- Click on Close,.
re:Have got a replacement computer,
Is there any reason why you are not copying your original Thunderbird profile on old computer and pasting it into the correct location on new computer ?
If Windows OS:
On old computer
- Exit Thunderbird
- In windows search type: %Appdata%
- select %Appdata% file folder
- Click on 'Roaming' folder
- Copy the 'Thunderbird' folder to an external device/disk/usb etc
On NEW computer Assuming you got download from the Thunderbird website: https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/all/ download, install and let run to create the Thunderbird profile in default location.
- Exit Thunderbird
- In windows search type: %Appdata%
- select %Appdata% file folder
- Click on 'Roaming' folder
- Delete the default created 'Thunderbird' folder
- Paste the copied 'Thunderbird' folder into the 'Roaming' folder
Start Thunderbird.
With AOL (and Yahoo as well) using text messages or email as second factor sucks. I'd therefore suggest to use an Authenticator app instead as second factor. It's way more reliable than text message. You'd need to install an authenticator app of your choice on your phone (e.g. like Google Authenticator), and adjust your 2-step authentication method in your AOL account settings. You'll have to login to your AOL account via web browser for this.
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