Thunderbird not communicating with servers?
I'm using Thunderbird 24.6.0 on a Sony Vaio running Windows 7. Everything has been running along smoothly until about a week ago. One night I used Thunderbird to check my Comcast email (as I've done for years and years) and everything was normal. The next day, nothing in Thunderbird worked. When I open Thunderbird, it says "Connecting to <email server>"... and nothing ever happens. I don't use that email account as my main account so I don't usually open Thunderbird every day, so I haven't messed with it again since then. Today I decided to try again and nothing has changed: it says "connecting" but never connects to receive my email. I tried to send an email as a test and got the message, "The message could not be sent because connecting to smtp.comcast.net failed." I have gone to Comcast's site to verify all of my settings and have double-checked them in Thunderbird. I did notice that my account in Thunderbird was set up as POP and Comcast recommends IMAP so I tried to change it to that, but nothing is working.
I don't know if this means anything important or not, but if I go to Account Settings -> Account Actions -> and click Get a New Account, I get a message that says, "Sorry - we're unable to communicate with our sign-up server. Please check your connection." This makes me think Thunderbird just can't communicate with the internet at all, and I have no idea why this would be the case (especially since nothing changed in the time between when Thunderbird last worked normally and when this started).
I can access my email through my phone and through Comcast's web mail so it's definitely not a problem with my email account. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
தீர்வு தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்டது
Yes, Matt, I was frustrated. I apologize for that, but it's frustrating when your email suddenly stops working with no obvious reason why. I only posted here when, after a week, it was still not working and none of the troubleshooting I did helped. All of my Comcast server settings were correct. My firewall did not seem to be the problem. I only started tinkering around with server settings as a last resort when nothing else worked, and then that still didn't make any difference (because what I had was correct, and as stated previously you can't swap an existing POP account to IMAP - AND it wouldn't let me create a new account because it said it couldn't connect).
Like I mentioned above, I did not realize that my version of Thunderbird was so old and outdated, and Thunderbird was not telling me that either. It even specifically said that it was up to date and wouldn't do an automatic update. After updating it the other night, nothing appeared to be any different as it still timed out while saying "Connecting to...". However, this morning, it downloaded my mail. I've made no additional changes - everything is as it was when I last posted, but now it seems to be communicating with the mail servers again. I still don't get it, but fine, it's working. Oh, and yes, my modem is a Comcast-supplied one. I'll go look up exactly which model it is if my problem comes back.
I apologize for my frustration with the situation but I appreciate your reply and help.
Megan
Read this answer in context 👍 0All Replies (11)
If you run a personal firewall make sure Thunderbird isn't blocked. Note, the version you're running is outdated, and not supported any more, so consider updating to the latest version (currently 31.5.0).
For troubleshooting problems with sending messages: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/cannot-send-messages
I tried to change it to IMAP
You cannot modify an existing account. See http://kb.mozillazine.org/Convert_a_POP_account_to_a_IMAP_account
Please keep in mind that my settings have not changed in a LONG time, so firewalls, etc. should not be the issue. My problem literally started overnight, with no changes to any of my settings.
I did not realize that my version of Thunderbird was so outdated; I will update it tomorrow and see if that helps.
I did realize that existing accounts can not be changed, but I was alarmed at the fact that I was unable to create a new account. It made me question if the problem was with Thunderbird and not my connection. I will re-check that once I update Thunderbird.
Question: if my version of Thunderbird is out of date, why does Thunderbird tell me I'm up to date?
When I click Help -> About Thunderbird it says I have version 24.6.0 and it says, "Thunderbird is up to date" and I do not have an "Update Thunderbird" link anywhere.
My guess is your firewall is set to block anything Thunderbird. Your not going to get update notifications if the product can not get the notifications anymore than you will get mail if the firewall blocks connectivity.
My firewall and the related settings has not changed in years. So, if it wasn't an issue in the past, I don't see why it would be an issue from one day to the next.
After updating to the newest Thunderbird (31.5.0) I still am unable to send or receive mail via Thunderbird. I am having no other issues with any other programs or websites, so I have to believe the issue is with Thunderbird itself.
I'd love any constructive help with fixing this. I had ZERO issues with Thunderbird until about a week ago, and NOTHING has changed with any of my settings. This is a very recent problem and I wish I could figure out how to fix it.
Thanks.
Also, I double-checked my Firewall settings and Thunderbird is allowed in all capacities.
Can you provide the link to the Comcast's site with the correct settings?
Can you post your Troubleshooting Information? Help (Alt-H) - Troubleshooting Information
It is my turn to be pointed. You sound frustrated, I hope I am not making it worse.
The setting used to collect mail are specified by your mail provider. Not Thunderbird. What Thunderbird does is use those settings to connect. If they change a port or Server name then an update needs to be made in setting to match the change.
You say no other program is have problem. Mail uses completely different ports and protocols to web browsing. Like your house has a light and a power circuit, the web browsing experience including mail is like the light circuit and the mail one is like the power.
Your Anti Virus phones home every day. In the case of mine more than once a day to download updated setting and Virus definitions. This is not like the kit5chen table, been sitting there for years and suddenly the leg fell off.
Something changed. With regard to Comcast, they changed their mail server settings I believe.
So please gp to the help menu and select the troubleshooting information entry. In the troubleshooting in formation you will find a copy to clipboard button. use it them paste the information into a reply on this forum.
What kind of modem do you have? (Brand and any model showing) IS it a Comcast supplied one?
The latest Comcast settings are here http://customer.comcast.com/help-and-support/internet/email-client-programs-with-xfinity-email/
தீர்வு தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்டது
Yes, Matt, I was frustrated. I apologize for that, but it's frustrating when your email suddenly stops working with no obvious reason why. I only posted here when, after a week, it was still not working and none of the troubleshooting I did helped. All of my Comcast server settings were correct. My firewall did not seem to be the problem. I only started tinkering around with server settings as a last resort when nothing else worked, and then that still didn't make any difference (because what I had was correct, and as stated previously you can't swap an existing POP account to IMAP - AND it wouldn't let me create a new account because it said it couldn't connect).
Like I mentioned above, I did not realize that my version of Thunderbird was so old and outdated, and Thunderbird was not telling me that either. It even specifically said that it was up to date and wouldn't do an automatic update. After updating it the other night, nothing appeared to be any different as it still timed out while saying "Connecting to...". However, this morning, it downloaded my mail. I've made no additional changes - everything is as it was when I last posted, but now it seems to be communicating with the mail servers again. I still don't get it, but fine, it's working. Oh, and yes, my modem is a Comcast-supplied one. I'll go look up exactly which model it is if my problem comes back.
I apologize for my frustration with the situation but I appreciate your reply and help.
Megan
Meggle மூலமாக திருத்தப்பட்டது
I hate those gremlins in the wires.... But that it is all good is the outcome everyone wants. So for now enjoy.