My suggestion is to just do it yourself. - go to https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/all/ and download the new release - exit thunderbird if running - install the new version over the top of your current version - restart thunderbird

David, Thank you for responding. I did download and install over 128.11 with 140.1.0esr and it updates satisfactorily. However, I still get the "failed to check for updates" message rather than the typical "Thunderbird is up to date".

It appears that there may be something going on with my Windows 11 Pro installation 10.0.26100? Do you have any other advice to help sort this out so that I get back to automatic updates?

Thanks in advance, Rich

Sorry, I lack that knowledge. That is an unusual situation and it may clear itself on the next update. I'm otherwise clueless.

Thanks just the same. I appreciate your time replying. Rich

I would not expect this to clear up on its own.

Proxies and VPNs can cause such problems. Also, Is your computer managed by your employer, school, or another organization?

To diagnose ... check the update debug log and other update files:

1. Settings > General > Config Editor (https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/config-editor)
2. Paste in app.update.log and set it to true
3. Open the Console either with the hotkey Control+Shift+J (Command+Shift+J on macOS), or via Hamburger Menu->Tools->Developer Tools->Console
4. Near the top, in the text field "Filter Output", enter AUS: to select just messages related to updates. Check that Logs is highlighted at "Errors Warnings Logs".
5. In Settings' search field type or paste "updates", then click on the button "Update to xxx" or "Check for Updates"
6. Once the update check has completed, copy the messages out of the Console and attach them here.
7. In same area of Settings click the button "Show Update History" and screen shot it
8. If the update process began and is being investigated, do Help > Troubleshooting Information to find "Update Folder", click "Open Folder" or "Show in Finder" and expand that directory to find last-update.log, last-update.log and backup-update.log and attach

I apologize Wayne. I'm embarrassed to admit that this is a bit over my head.

I had the same issue on another PC running Windows 10 and it somehow resolved itself eventually downloading and installing the current version 140.1.

It is the Windows 11 computer where the issue persists. As I mentioned, I downloaded the current version 140.1 and successfully installed it over the 128.11; however, when I look at the update history it still shows 128.11 as the last installation.

The Windows 11 computer is using Windows Defender Firewall. Could this be blocking Thunderbird updates? Again, I have little confidence in my ability to follow your recent suggestions. I got about halfway through and lost my way. Rich

I would check the firewall settings.

I turned the firewall off completely and still can't update

I have windows 11 Pro 23H2 and 24H2 (which is 10.0.26100 ) and thunderbird update work fine.

My guess : the problem could be your PC itself or Thunderbird installation on your PC.

Suggestion : uninstall Thunderbird and re-install the latest version and retry the update.

Open Thunderbird Error console while retry the update to see if any error message would show up. ( to open Thunderbird Error console : position your mouse on Thunderbird and then press ctrl + shift + j )

I have windows 11 Pro 23H2 and 24H2 (which is 10.0.26100 ) and thunderbird update work fine. My guess : the problem could be your PC itself or Thunderbird installation on your PC. Suggestion : uninstall Thunderbird and re-install the latest version and retry the update. Open Thunderbird Error console while retry the update to see if any error message would show up. ( to open Thunderbird Error console : position your mouse on Thunderbird and then press ctrl + shift + j )

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1526479#answer-1753931 is several steps, but require no technical understanding and should not be difficult. I encourage you to print the instructions and then you can make notes on the printed instructions (is what I do when I feel it may be challenging).

p.s. please let me know which steps don't work for you, if any.

Wayne, This is the same thing that happened when I tried your fix last time. I get to #6 and there is no error log to copy and send.

Here is the last update log: 2025-05-28 09:43:38-0400: sUsingService=false 2025-05-28 09:43:38-0400: sUpdateSilently=false 2025-05-28 09:43:38-0400: useService=true 2025-05-28 09:43:38-0400: isElevated=false 2025-05-28 09:43:38-0400: gInvocation=UpdaterInvocation::First 2025-05-28 09:43:38-0400: Writing status to file: applying 2025-05-28 09:43:38-0400: Performing a replace request 2025-05-28 09:43:38-0400: PATCH DIRECTORY C:\ProgramData\Mozilla-1de4eec8-1241-4177-a864-e594e8d1fb38\updates\D78BF5DD33499EC2\updates\0 2025-05-28 09:43:38-0400: INSTALLATION DIRECTORY C:\Program Files\Mozilla Thunderbird 2025-05-28 09:43:38-0400: WORKING DIRECTORY C:\Program Files\Mozilla Thunderbird\updated 2025-05-28 09:43:38-0400: Checking whether elevation is needed 2025-05-28 09:43:38-0400: Failed to open update lock file: 5 2025-05-28 09:43:38-0400: Can't open lock file - seems like we need elevation 2025-05-28 09:43:38-0400: After checking IsProgramFilesPath, useService=true 2025-05-28 09:43:38-0400: After checking IsLocalFile, useService=true 2025-05-28 09:43:38-0400: After checking IsUnpromptedElevation, useService=true 2025-05-28 09:43:38-0400: Writing status to file: failed: 58

2025-05-28 09:43:38-0400: Launched service successfully 2025-05-28 09:43:39-0400: Service stop detected. 2025-05-28 09:43:39-0400: CompareSecureUpdateStatus succeeded

does not match failed

2025-05-28 09:43:39-0400: Not showing a UAC prompt. 2025-05-28 09:43:39-0400: useService=true 2025-05-28 09:43:39-0400: noServiceFallback=false 2025-05-28 09:43:39-0400: updateLockFileHandle==INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE 2025-05-28 09:43:39-0400: forceServiceFallback=false 2025-05-28 09:43:39-0400: CompareSecureUpdateStatus succeeded

matches succeeded

2025-05-28 09:43:39-0400: Running LaunchWinPostProcess 2025-05-28 09:43:39-0400: LaunchWinPostProcess - Waiting for process to complete 2025-05-28 09:43:40-0400: LaunchWinPostProcess - Process completed 2025-05-28 09:43:40-0400: Update complete

Here is the backup update log: 2025-05-28 09:43:32-0400: sUsingService=false 2025-05-28 09:43:32-0400: sUpdateSilently=false 2025-05-28 09:43:32-0400: useService=true 2025-05-28 09:43:32-0400: isElevated=false 2025-05-28 09:43:32-0400: gInvocation=UpdaterInvocation::First 2025-05-28 09:43:32-0400: Writing status to file: applying 2025-05-28 09:43:32-0400: Performing a staged update 2025-05-28 09:43:32-0400: PATCH DIRECTORY C:\ProgramData\Mozilla-1de4eec8-1241-4177-a864-e594e8d1fb38\updates\D78BF5DD33499EC2\updates\0 2025-05-28 09:43:32-0400: INSTALLATION DIRECTORY C:\Program Files\Mozilla Thunderbird 2025-05-28 09:43:32-0400: WORKING DIRECTORY C:\Program Files\Mozilla Thunderbird\updated 2025-05-28 09:43:32-0400: Checking whether elevation is needed 2025-05-28 09:43:32-0400: Failed to open update lock file: 5 2025-05-28 09:43:32-0400: Can't open lock file - seems like we need elevation 2025-05-28 09:43:32-0400: After checking IsProgramFilesPath, useService=true 2025-05-28 09:43:32-0400: After checking IsLocalFile, useService=true 2025-05-28 09:43:32-0400: After checking IsUnpromptedElevation, useService=true 2025-05-28 09:43:32-0400: Writing status to file: failed: 58

2025-05-28 09:43:32-0400: Launched service successfully 2025-05-28 09:43:35-0400: Service stop detected. 2025-05-28 09:43:35-0400: Not showing a UAC prompt. 2025-05-28 09:43:35-0400: useService=true 2025-05-28 09:43:35-0400: noServiceFallback=false 2025-05-28 09:43:35-0400: updateLockFileHandle==INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE 2025-05-28 09:43:35-0400: forceServiceFallback=false 2025-05-28 09:43:35-0400: Update complete

I have attached the screen shot requested.

r_a_green, can you file a bug report https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/enter_bug.cgi?product=thunderbird and add the log details?

Hopefully the bug report will help.