Hello,
I am requesting immediate assistance with a critical and persistent problem in Thunderbird.
For my Google Workspace account max@dantanas.com
, Thunderbird refus… (read more)
Hello,
I am requesting immediate assistance with a critical and persistent problem in Thunderbird.
For my Google Workspace account max@dantanas.com
, Thunderbird refuses to create or recognize a Junk/Spam folder. This is not a cosmetic issue — it directly affects email safety, filtering, and daily usability.
Summary of the Issue
Thunderbird does not automatically create a Junk or Spam folder for this account.
Attempts to manually create a Junk or Spam folder fail or are ignored.
Thunderbird’s junk filtering settings for this account are disabled or inaccessible, making filtering impossible.
Other clients (Gmail web, Outlook, mobile apps) create and use a Spam folder normally, which shows the problem is specific to Thunderbird.
This problem has persisted across restarts, folder repairs, and full account removal/re-addition.
Why This Is Critical
Without a Junk/Spam folder, Thunderbird cannot move suspected spam anywhere, leaving the inbox vulnerable.
The built-in adaptive junk filter becomes unusable.
Thunderbird does not comply with Gmail’s standard IMAP folder structure.
This issue prevents Thunderbird from functioning as a secure, reliable mail client for this account.
Steps Already Attempted
Removed and re-added the account multiple times.
Forced folder synchronization.
Repaired folders.
Reset folder permissions in Gmail.
Verified IMAP settings (X-GM-EXT-1, special-use flags, etc.).
Tested other devices — only Thunderbird fails.
Expected Behavior
Thunderbird should automatically recognize Gmail’s [Gmail]/Spam folder as the Junk folder OR allow me to assign one manually.
Instead, Thunderbird behaves as if the account is not permitted to have a Junk folder at all, which is incorrect and breaks essential functionality.
Request
I need help determining:
Why Thunderbird is refusing to create or map a Junk/Spam folder for my Google Workspace domain.
Whether there is a known bug with Gmail Workspace integration that causes Junk folder support to fail.
How to force Thunderbird to recognize or create a valid Junk folder.
Whether this issue requires special IMAP flags, folder mapping changes, or intervention from Thunderbird developers.
This is not a minor inconvenience — it prevents Thunderbird from acting as a secure or usable email client for this account. I would appreciate prompt assistance or escalation.
Thank you,
Max Makowski
max@dantanas.com