On android devices I'm getting "Certificate Error - Check your server settings" with Thunderbird Client
I have been Using Thunderbird for about a month. I have configured three accounts, gmail, outlook and breezelineohio and view mails in the unified inbox folder. This mo… (läs mer)
I have been Using Thunderbird for about a month. I have configured three accounts, gmail, outlook and breezelineohio and view mails in the unified inbox folder. This morning I started getting a “Certificate Error – Check your server settings” on my Android phone and tablet. I am unable to get mail sent to my breezelineohio account. Mail to gmail and outlook are working correctly. Also, the thunderbird windows 11 app is receiving mail sent to my breezelineohio account correctly. I only have a problem on the android phone and tablet.
The following is a chat I had with ChatGPT concerning this problem. I have italicized ChatGPT responses.
ME: I'm getting a message on my Android tablet that states that my email client Thunderbird has requested a certificate. It says that agreeing to this request will allow the application to use the certificate with service from now on. Is this something I should be worried about? Is it a scam?
ChatGPT: This is not necessarily a scam, but I recommend that you do not approve the certificate request until we determine why Thunderbird is asking for it.
The message you're seeing on your Android tablet sounds like a legitimate Android security notification.
What does the message mean? When Thunderbird requests a certificate, Android may display a message similar to:
Thunderbird has requested a certificate. Agreeing to this request will allow the application to use the certificate with this service from now on.
This usually means Thunderbird is asking permission to use a digital certificate stored on your tablet.
Digital certificates can be used to:
Verify your identity when connecting to certain email servers.
Authenticate a secure connection to an email service.
Access email services that require client certificates.
However, most ordinary personal email accounts do not require a client certificate.
What should you do? Do not tap Allow or OK yet.
If there's a Cancel button, select it for now.
Do not install any new certificates or enter passwords in response to an unexpected prompt.
Check whether Thunderbird continues to send and receive email normally.
If this is Android's genuine certificate-selection dialog, it is not itself evidence of a scam. However, an unexpected certificate request deserves investigation.
Thunderbird has been known to display certificate requests when an email server asks for certificate-based authentication, even when the user normally signs in with a password.
I have two questions Are you using your Breezeline email account with Thunderbird on your Android tablet, or a different email account?
Does the certificate message show a server name or email address? If so, what does it say?
You can also send me a screenshot of the message.
With that information, I can help determine whether this is a normal Thunderbird security request, a configuration problem, or something suspicious—and whether you should allow or deny it.
ME: I am using my Breezeline email account with Thunderbird on my Android tablet, and the certificate message does show my email address and server name.
ChatGPT: Thank you. That helps narrow down the problem.
Since you're using Thunderbird on your Android tablet with your Breezeline email account, and the certificate request displays your email address and a server name, this may be a legitimate Android security request rather than a scam.
However, I recommend that you do not approve the certificate request just yet.
Thunderbird normally connects to Breezeline using your email credentials and an encrypted connection. It generally should not need a personal client certificate.
One thing I'd like you to check What is the exact server name displayed in the certificate message?
For example, it might look something like mail.example.com.
Please type the server name exactly as it appears. You do not need to provide your full email address.
Once I know the server name, I can help determine whether the request is associated with Breezeline's email service and whether it is safe to approve.
ME: mail.breezelineohio.net And also the mail from the Breezeline does appear to be working properly.
ChatGPT: That's good news! Since your Breezeline email is sending and receiving messages properly in Thunderbird on your Android tablet, I would not approve the certificate request at this time.
The server name you provided, mail.breezelineohio.net, is consistent with your Breezeline email domain.
My recommendation When the certificate request appears, tap Cancel rather than Allow.
Continue using Thunderbird normally.
If your email continues working, there is no immediate reason to approve the request.
Do not delete your email account or change its settings.
I do not see an immediate reason to suspect a scam based on what you've described. However, a matching server name alone doesn't prove that a certificate request is trustworthy.
I verified Breezeline's official settings Breezeline confirms the following configuration:
Setting
Correct value
Incoming server
Incoming port
993
Outgoing server
Outgoing port
465
Security
SSL/TLS
Authentication
Normal password
These settings do not normally require a personal client certificate.
One final question: Does the certificate message appear every time you open Thunderbird, or does it appear only occasionally?
That will help me determine whether we should investigate a Thunderbird setting or simply dismiss the request.
ME: I just started getting this message when I start up both my phone and my tablet. The message reads, Certificate Error, Check your server settings. It just started today on the tablet and the phone. Since both your Android phone and tablet started displaying the same Thunderbird certificate error today, November 8, 2026, that is an important clue.
ChatGPT: I suspect the problem may be with Breezeline's email server certificate rather than either of your Android devices.
Here's why:
Thunderbird was previously working on both devices.
Both devices began reporting certificate errors on the same day.
Both connect to mail.breezelineohio.net.
You haven't reported making changes to either device.
A server certificate may have expired, been replaced, or developed a configuration problem. Thunderbird checks these certificates to ensure it is connecting securely.
For now, do not approve an unfamiliar certificate or accept a security exception. Also, don't uninstall Thunderbird or delete your Breezeline accounts.
What I found I checked for reports of Breezeline problems today. I could not confirm a widespread Breezeline email certificate problem.
I also verified that Breezeline still lists mail.breezelineohio.net as its official Thunderbird mail server.
Breezeline
What I suggest next Because the problem appeared simultaneously on both devices, I would first wait to see whether Breezeline corrects a possible server-side issue.
If the error continues, contact Breezeline and ask whether the SSL/TLS certificate for mail.breezelineohio.net has recently changed or expired.
One important question When you dismiss the certificate error, can you still receive NEW Breezeline email messages in Thunderbird on both your phone and tablet?
I'm asking specifically about new messages, not messages already stored in Thunderbird.
Your answer will help determine whether the certificate error is preventing Thunderbird from connecting to Breezeline's server.
ME: I went to Gmail.com on my Windows 11 PC browser and sent a test email message to my Breezeline account. I went to Breezeline on the PC and the message did show up in the Breezeline browser email. However, the message did not show up on either the tablet or the phone. It did show up in the Thunderbird email client on the PC.
ChatGPT: Your test tells us quite a bit. Breezeline is receiving your email correctly, but Thunderbird on your Android phone and tablet is having trouble connecting to the Breezeline mail server.
Here's what your test established:
Email application
Result
Gmail on Windows 11
Test message sent successfully
Breezeline Webmail on PC
Message received
Thunderbird on Windows 11
Message received
Thunderbird on Android tablet
Message not received
Thunderbird on Android phone
Message not received
What I think is happening Because Thunderbird on your Windows 11 PC works, but Thunderbird on both Android devices stopped working on the same day, I suspect one of the following:
An SSL/TLS certificate compatibility problem affecting Thunderbird for Android.
A certificate change on Breezeline's mail server that Android is rejecting.
A Thunderbird for Android issue involving certificate validation.
This does not look like a typical email scam. It looks more like a technical connection problem.
What I recommend Do not delete or reinstall Thunderbird on either Android device yet. We should first identify exactly why Android is rejecting the certificate.
Let's start with your tablet.
Open Thunderbird on your Android tablet.
When the message "Certificate Error — Check your server settings" appears, look for a button labeled Details, More information, or something similar.
If you see one, open it.
Look for wording such as:
Certificate expired
Certificate not trusted
Hostname mismatch
Unable to verify certificate
My next question When the certificate error appears on your Android tablet, does it give you a Details button, or does it simply display "Certificate Error — Check your server settings" with an OK button?
Once I know that, I'll walk you through the next step. I would prefer to correct the problem without disturbing your existing Thunderbird email accounts.
At this point I terminated the chat. I still have the problem but I can check mail to my breezelineohio account on the Windows 11 Thunderbird app. Any thoughts?