What are your server settings, secure or non-secure?

https://support.shaw.ca/t5/internet-articles/about-pop-and-imap-email-server-settings/ta-p/6731

If you have a password stored in Tools/Options/Security/Passwords/Saved Passwords, Remove it, restart TB, and enter the correct password when prompted. That sometimes corrects the reset error.

I'm don't understand "secure or non-secure". I looked at Tools/Account Settings/server settings - but don't see a reference to "secure". I looked at the web reference given and compared settings. I tried "Incoming mail server and settings" as well as "Encrypted incoming mail server and settings" but no change to the problem. I don't have any password saved in TB. I still have the same issue and can't receive my emails from the server. I can look at them on my iphone and see what's come in but I can't get them on my desktop computer. Still looking for help.

The Connection security menu has 3 choices: SSL/TLS, STARTTLS and None. The first two are 'secure' or 'encrypted'. The settings in TB for Shaw POP accounts should be:

incoming server: pop.shaw.ca on port 995, SSL/TLS security, authentication = normal password, User Name = part of address before @.

outgoing server: mail.shaw.ca on port 587, STARTTLS security, authentication = normal password, User Name = part of address before @.

If you apply these secure settings, use a strong password.

Since you read mail on both your desktop and phone, an IMAP setup is recommended so the mail is synced between devices.

I tried these settings and there's no change. I still select "Get Messages" and see a message on the bottom left saying "smxxxxx@shaw.ca Connected to pop.shaw.ca". Then this message turns off and a new message box opens outside of my email page (bottom right of screen) which says "Connection to server pop.shaw.ca was reset". I never get messages downloaded. And since this is the first run after opening TB I expected a password request which doesn't happen.

This all happened after my computer shut down unexpectedly after a power failure. I don't know if that is relevant but I had no problems before that happened.

I can't surmise what happened due to the power failure, so rather than trying to resurrect a damaged profile, I suggest you create a new one from Help/Troubleshooting, about:profiles, and add your account, preferably with secure IMAP settings and a strong password. If that works, data from the old profile can be transferred to the new one. It might also be worth restarting the router/modem in case that was corrupted after the outage.

This morning I got to my computer and brought it out of its sleep. Lo, and behold, my email worked as it had before all my troubles began. And it brought in 54 emails that had been waiting on my server. I have no idea what changed but I'm pleased that it did.

Many thanks to the help I received and the attention offered to my predicament. Thank you sfhowes. You are truly a top 10 contributor.

just a point. restart everything from a cold start for issues with electronic devises. When it comes to things like modems and routers make sure they have time to start up correctly before you try and power on your computing device that connect to them.

My guess is you lost some or all of the connection setting to your router. Another point is shut down and restart your device daily. Don't put it to sleep at night. Turn it off. This guards against all sorts of electronic artifacts that build up over time. No electronic device is not prone to these things that build up over long periods. everything benefits from a holiday to completely discharged the internal capacitors and start off fresh. Sleep does not actually do that. Turning an electric device off is the equivalent of you or I sleeping. Sleep is more like us vegging in front of the television. Not doing anything, but not resting either.