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Le thread ibilondoloziwe. Nceda ubuze umbuzo omtsha ukuba ufuna uncedo.
Ezilondoloziweyo

"SMTP server timed out" after host security update went bad

I-Thunderbird Troubleshooting
christ1 replied 4 kwiminyaka edlulileyo
tpell
tpell

My host, Network Solutions, did a huge security update on March 16th (2022). All of my email stopped working, both incoming and outgoing. I finally got my POP3 working, but SMTP still won't transmit email. It works when I use their browser-based webmail client. I just need to get it working through Thunderbird.

First I get the message that Thunderbird has "connected", then a long wait. Then it gives up with the error message "Sending of message failed. The message could not be sent because the connection to SMTP server smtp.terraforming.com timed out." (I have my own domain name, and NetSol is both my registrar and my host.) I contacted NetSol, and they "reset the SMTP server", and told me to try it 4 hours later. It's been 11 hours, and the same thing is still happening. I only have the most basic Symantec anti-virus, and haven't changed any security settings on my PC.

I don't know if the problem is at NetSol's end, or mine (with Thunderbird). What is the process that takes place after my mail client supplies the password, and it is accepted and "connected" to the SMTP server? Which entity takes control of the transmission? Does the SMTP server have to send an ACK back to Thunderbird before it begins to send? Is Thunderbird sending the message and the SMTP server doesn't acknowledge that it received it?

Because of the nature of the original problem, I suspect NetSol, but I need to confirm that there is not something that could be causing the issue on my end.

Thank you for any help you can offer.

My host, Network Solutions, did a huge security update on March 16th (2022). All of my email stopped working, both incoming and outgoing. I finally got my POP3 working, but SMTP still won't transmit email. It works when I use their browser-based webmail client. I just need to get it working through Thunderbird. First I get the message that Thunderbird has "connected", then a long wait. Then it gives up with the error message "Sending of message failed. The message could not be sent because the connection to SMTP server smtp.terraforming.com timed out." (I have my own domain name, and NetSol is both my registrar and my host.) I contacted NetSol, and they "reset the SMTP server", and told me to try it 4 hours later. It's been 11 hours, and the same thing is still happening. I only have the most basic Symantec anti-virus, and haven't changed any security settings on my PC. I don't know if the problem is at NetSol's end, or mine (with Thunderbird). What is the process that takes place after my mail client supplies the password, and it is accepted and "connected" to the SMTP server? Which entity takes control of the transmission? Does the SMTP server have to send an ACK back to Thunderbird before it begins to send? Is Thunderbird sending the message and the SMTP server doesn't acknowledge that it received it? Because of the nature of the original problem, I suspect NetSol, but I need to confirm that there is not something that could be causing the issue on my end. Thank you for any help you can offer.

All Replies (12)

tpell
tpell Umnini wombuzo

I forgot to mention that this is on a Windows PC.

christ1
christ1
  • Abanikeli abangama-25 abaPhezulu
  • Umntu owongameleyo

You may need to adjust your server settings for the account.

Please post your Troubleshooting Information. At the top right of the Thunderbird window, click the menu button , then select Help > Troubleshooting Information. Press the "Copy text to clipboard button" and paste the information into your reply.

Matt
Matt
  • Abanikeli abangama-25 abaPhezulu

Looks like the domain is generally Ok. https://intodns.com/terraforming.com

A test on the servers security and SSL settings is more enlightening. It would appear the SSL/TLS trust certificate is not trusted and is reporting as the hosting company, not the hosted site. https://www.immuniweb.com/ssl/smtp.terraforming.com/5tr5jmx7/

If it was trusted it would pop up a validation issue with the site name, but I is not trusted. Why I do not know. But quite probably was invalidated with the issuer by network solutions. This is unlikely to be resolved without your host fixing something.

tpell
tpell Umnini wombuzo

Thank you for the information. I'll continue to harass tech support.  ;-)

tpell
tpell Umnini wombuzo

christ1: I am using an old version of Thunderbird. (I know, I know, update everything. It was working 2 weeks ago, and this is an old legacy PC that I use to play City of Heroes (now that it's back), and while I could upgrade to the more recent laptop I also own, it's just less convenient than the old Win 7 tower for everyday use.)

My version doesn't have "Troubleshooting Information" anywhere. Sorry. Yes, I could use the Win 10 laptop. Yes, I could use their browser based webmail. Yes, I could get gmail, or change to another client, etc etc etc. The best solution for me right now is to get my SMTP working within my old version of Thunderbird.

Thank you for trying.

Matt
Matt
  • Abanikeli abangama-25 abaPhezulu
I am using an old version of Thunderbird.

What version? Troubleshooting information (now renamed More Troubleshooting information, just to confuse I think) has been a staple on Thunderbird help menus since version 3. https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=367596 Anything prior to that is seriously so out of date that I would not expect any encrypted connections to work reliably.

tpell
tpell Umnini wombuzo

Matt, you are right, my old tower is using Thunderbird 3.1.2. Oddly enough, my 3 POP3 incoming mailboxes are working just fine. However, my Win 10 laptop, with Thunderbird 91.3.2, isn't working at all. Neither POP3 nor SMTP will work. I've tried the settings I have in the old version, they don't work. I've tried the settings I found in the NetSol self-help...they don't work. I'll see if I can get the trouble shooting info from the laptop for you.

tpell
tpell Umnini wombuzo

christ1: I copied the Thunderbird Troubleshooting More Information from my laptop, but the text is too long to insert here in its entirety. Do you want me to just break it up so it will fit, or is there a way for me to attach the entire text file all at once?

christ1
christ1
  • Abanikeli abangama-25 abaPhezulu
  • Umntu owongameleyo
I copied the Thunderbird Troubleshooting More Information from my laptop, but the text is too long to insert here in its entirety.

You can cut off the part which doesn't fit in at the bottom. Having said that, there is no point troubleshooting v3.1.2. Before anything else you should upgrade to a recent version.

tpell
tpell Umnini wombuzo

christ1: There are two different computers involved. 1. Win 7 tower, Thunderbird 3.1.2. "Connects" just fine. Receives POP3 incoming just fine with 3 different mailboxes. SMTP "connects" just fine, then I get msg "SMTP server timed out" 2. Win 10 laptop, Thunderbird 91.7.0. Same settings as the tower. Neither POP3 nor SMTP authenticates.

Here is as much as I can post of the Thunderbird 91.7.0 report from the laptop: 

 Application Basics

   Name: Thunderbird
   Version: 91.7.0
   Build ID: 20220305171341
   Distribution ID:

   Update Channel: release
   User Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:91.0) Gecko/20100101 Thunderbird/91.7.0
   OS: Windows_NT 10.0 19042

   Launcher Process: Enabled
   Multiprocess Windows: 0/0
   Fission Windows: 0/0
             Disabled by default
   Remote Processes: 3
   Enterprise Policies: Inactive
   Google Location Service Key: Missing
   Google Safebrowsing Key: Missing
   Mozilla Location Service Key: Missing
   Safe Mode: false

 Mail and News Accounts
   account1:
     INCOMING: account1, , (pop3) mail.terraforming.com:110, 3, 3
     OUTGOING: , smtp.terraforming.com:465, 3, 3, true

   account2:
     INCOMING: account2, , (none) Local Folders, 0, 3

   account3:
     INCOMING: account3, , (pop3) mail.terraforming.com:995, 3, 3
     OUTGOING: , smtp.terraforming.com:465, 3, 3, true

   account4:
     INCOMING: account4, , (pop3) mail.terraforming.com:995, 3, 3
     OUTGOING: , smtp.terraforming.com:465, 3, 3, true

 Calendar Settings

   Home

     Name
     Value

     Name:
     Type: storage
     Disabled:
     Username:
     URI:
     Refresh Interval:
     Read-only:
     Suppress Alarms:
     Cache Enabled:
     iMIP Identity: id1
     iMIP Disabled:
     iMIP Account:
     Organizer Id:
     Force Email Scheduling:
     Popup Alarms Supported:
     Alarms on Invitation Supported:
     Max Alarms Per Event:
     Attachment Supported:
     Max Categories:
     Privacy State Supported:
     Priority Supported: true
     Event Supported:
     Task Supported:
     Local Time Supported:
     UTC/GMT Supported:
     Auto-Scheduling Supported:

 Crash Reports for the Last 3 Days

 Remote Processes

   Type: Count

     Web Content: 2 / 8
     GPU: 1

 Add-ons

     Name
     Type
     Version
     Enabled
     ID

       Amazon.com
       extension
       1.1
       true
       amazondotcom@search.mozilla.org

       Bing
       extension
       1.0
       true
       bing@search.mozilla.org

       DuckDuckGo
       extension
       1.0
       true
       ddg@search.mozilla.org

       Google
       extension
       1.0
       true
       google@search.mozilla.org

       Wikipedia (en)
       extension
       1.0
       true
       wikipedia@search.mozilla.org

 Security Software

   Type: Name

     Antivirus: Microsoft Defender Antivirus
     Antispyware:
     Firewall: Windows Firewall

 Graphics

     Features
     Compositing: WebRender
     Asynchronous Pan/Zoom: wheel input enabled; scrollbar drag enabled; keyboard enabled; autoscroll enabled; smooth pinch-zoom enabled
     WebGL 1 Driver WSI Info: EGL_VENDOR: Google Inc. (Intel)

EGL_VERSION: 1.5 (ANGLE 2.1.15727 git hash: 23851a53779d) EGL_EXTENSIONS: EGL_EXT_create_context_robustness EGL_ANGLE_d3d_share_handle_client_buffer EGL_ANGLE_d3d_texture_client_buffer EGL_ANGLE_surface_d3d_texture_2d_share_handle EGL_ANGLE_query_surface_pointer EGL_ANGLE_window_fixed_size EGL_ANGLE_keyed_mutex EGL_ANGLE_surface_orientation EGL_ANGLE_direct_composition EGL_NV_post_sub_buffer EGL_KHR_create_context EGL_KHR_image EGL_KHR_image_base EGL_KHR_gl_texture_2D_image EGL_KHR_gl_texture_cubemap_image EGL_KHR_gl_renderbuffer_image EGL_KHR_get_all_proc_addresses EGL_KHR_stream EGL_KHR_stream_consumer_gltexture EGL_NV_stream_consumer_gltexture_yuv EGL_ANGLE_flexible_surface_compatibility EGL_ANGLE_stream_producer_d3d_texture EGL_ANGLE_create_context_webgl_compatibility EGL_CHROMIUM_create_context_bind_generates_resource EGL_CHROMIUM_sync_control EGL_EXT_pixel_format_float EGL_KHR_surfaceless_context EGL_ANGLE_display_texture_share_group EGL_ANGLE_display_semaphore_share_group EGL_ANGLE_create_context_client_arrays EGL_ANGLE_program_cache_control EGL_ANGLE_robust_resource_initialization EGL_ANGLE_create_context_extensions_enabled EGL_ANDROID_blob_cache EGL_ANDROID_recordable EGL_ANGLE_image_d3d11_texture EGL_ANGLE_create_context_backwards_compatible EGL_KHR_create_context_no_error EGL_KHR_reusable_sync EGL_EXTENSIONS(nullptr): EGL_EXT_client_extensions EGL_EXT_device_query EGL_EXT_platform_base EGL_EXT_platform_device EGL_ANGLE_platform_angle EGL_ANGLE_platform_angle_d3d EGL_ANGLE_platform_angle_d3d11on12 EGL_ANGLE_device_creation EGL_ANGLE_device_creation_d3d11 EGL_ANGLE_experimental_present_path EGL_KHR_client_get_all_proc_addresses EGL_KHR_debug EGL_ANGLE_explicit_context EGL_ANGLE_feature_control IsWebglOutOfProcessEnabled: 1 

     WebGL 1 Driver Renderer: Google Inc. (Intel) -- ANGLE (Intel, Intel(R) HD Graphics 630 Direct3D11 vs_5_0 ps_5_0, D3D11-26.20.100.7325)
     WebGL 1 Driver Version: OpenGL ES 2.0.0 (ANGLE 2.1.15727 git hash: 23851a53779d)
     WebGL 1 Driver Extensions: GL_ANGLE_base_vertex_base_instance GL_ANGLE_client_arrays GL_ANGLE_depth_texture GL_ANGLE_explicit_context GL_ANGLE_explicit_context_gles1 GL_ANGLE_framebuffer_blit GL_ANGLE_framebuffer_multisample GL_ANGLE_get_serialized_context_string GL_ANGLE_get_tex_level_parameter GL_ANGLE_instanced_arrays GL_ANGLE_lossy_etc_decode GL_ANGLE_memory_size GL_ANGLE_multi_draw GL_ANGLE_multiview_multisample GL_ANGLE_pack_reverse_row_order GL_ANGLE_program_cache_control GL_ANGLE_provoking_vertex GL_ANGLE_request_extension GL_ANGLE_texture_compression_dxt3 GL_ANGLE_texture_compression_dxt5 GL_ANGLE_texture_usage GL_ANGLE_translated_shader_source GL_CHROMIUM_bind_generates_resource GL_CHROMIUM_bind_uniform_location GL_CHROMIUM_color_buffer_float_rgb GL_CHROMIUM_color_buffer_float_rgba GL_CHROMIUM_copy_compressed_texture GL_CHROMIUM_copy_texture GL_CHROMIUM_lose_context GL_CHROMIUM_sync_query GL_EXT_EGL_image_external_wrap_modes GL_EXT_blend_func_extended GL_EXT_blend_minmax GL_EXT_color_buffer_half_float GL_EXT_debug_label GL_EXT_debug_marker GL_EXT_discard_framebuffer GL_EXT_disjoint_timer_query GL_EXT_draw_buffers GL_EXT_draw_elements_base_vertex GL_EXT_float_blend GL_EXT_frag_depth GL_EXT_instanced_arrays GL_EXT_map_buffer_range GL_EXT_multisampled_render_to_texture GL_EXT_occlusion_query_boolean GL_EXT_read_format_bgra GL_EXT_robustness GL_EXT_sRGB GL_EXT_shader_texture_lod GL_EXT_texture_compression_bptc GL_EXT_texture_compression_dxt1 GL_EXT_texture_compression_rgtc GL_EXT_texture_compression_s3tc_srgb GL_EXT_texture_filter_anisotropic GL_EXT_texture_format_BGRA8888 GL_EXT_texture_rg GL_EXT_texture_storage GL_EXT_unpack_subimage GL_KHR_debug GL_KHR_no_error GL_KHR_parallel_shader_compile GL_KHR_robust_buffer_access_behavior GL_NV_EGL_stream_consumer_external GL_NV_fence GL_NV_pack_subimage GL_NV_pixel_buffer_object GL_OES_EGL_image GL_OES_EGL_image_external GL_OES_compressed_EAC_R11_signed_texture GL_OES_compressed_EAC_R11_unsigned_texture GL_OES_compressed_EAC_RG11_signed_texture GL_OES_compressed_EAC_RG11_unsigned_texture GL_OES_compressed_ETC2_RGB8_texture GL_OES_compressed_ETC2_RGBA8_texture GL_OES_compressed_ETC2_punchthroughA_RGBA8_texture GL_OES_compressed_ETC2_punchthroughA_sRGB8_alpha_texture GL_OES_compressed_ETC2_sRGB8_alpha8_texture GL_OES_compressed_ETC2_sRGB8_texture GL_OES_depth24 GL_OES_depth32 GL_OES_draw_elements_base_vertex GL_OES_element_index_uint GL_OES_fbo_render_mipmap GL_OES_get_program_binary GL_OES_mapbuffer GL_OES_packed_depth_stencil GL_OES_rgb8_rgba8 GL_OES_standard_derivatives GL_OES_surfaceless_context GL_OES_texture_border_clamp GL_OES_texture_float GL_OES_texture_float_linear GL_OES_texture_half_float GL_OES_texture_half_float_linear GL_OES_texture_npot GL_OES_texture_stencil8 GL_OES_vertex_array_object GL_WEBGL_video_texture
     WebGL 1 Extensions: ANGLE_instanced_arrays EXT_blend_minmax EXT_color_buffer_half_float EXT_float_blend EXT_frag_depth EXT_shader_texture_lod EXT_sRGB EXT_texture_compression_bptc EXT_texture_compression_rgtc EXT_texture_filter_anisotropic MOZ_debug OES_element_index_uint OES_fbo_render_mipmap OES_standard_derivatives OES_texture_float OES_texture_float_linear OES_texture_half_float OES_texture_half_float_linear OES_vertex_array_object WEBGL_color_buffer_float WEBGL_compressed_texture_s3tc WEBGL_compressed_texture_s3tc_srgb WEBGL_debug_renderer_info WEBGL_debug_shaders WEBGL_depth_texture WEBGL_draw_buffers WEBGL_lose_context
     WebGL 2 Driver WSI Info: EGL_VENDOR: Google Inc. (Intel)

EGL_VERSION: 1.5 (ANGLE 2.1.15727 git hash: 23851a53779d) EGL_EXTENSIONS: EGL_EXT_create_context_robustness EGL_ANGLE_d3d_share_handle_client_buffer EGL_ANGLE_d3d_texture_client_buffer EGL_ANGLE_surface_d3d_texture_2d_share_handle EGL_ANGLE_query_surface_pointer EGL_ANGLE_window_fixed_size EGL_ANGLE_keyed_mutex EGL_ANGLE_surface_orientation EGL_ANGLE_direct_composition EGL_NV_post_sub_buffer EGL_KHR_create_context EGL_KHR_image EGL_KHR_image_base EGL_KHR_gl_texture_2D_image EGL_KHR_gl_texture_cubemap_image EGL_KHR_gl_renderbuffer_image EGL_KHR_get_all_proc_addresses EGL_KHR_stream EGL_KHR_stream_consumer_gltexture EGL_NV_stream_consumer_gltexture_yuv EGL_ANGLE_flexible_surface_compatibility EGL_ANGLE_stream_producer_d3d_texture EGL_ANGLE_create_context_webgl_compatibility EGL_CHROMIUM_create_context_bind_generates_resource EGL_CHROMIUM_sync_control EGL_EXT_pixel_format_float EGL_KHR_surfaceless_context

tpell
tpell Umnini wombuzo

Thank you for your help. I got it all working, it was a long, complicated process, involving a corrupted folder, changing passwords, and insistence (by a weekend tech support person) that NetSol would not help me debug Thunderbird's connection to their server (which is wrong, of course).

I have one remaining question: is there an easier way to change passwords in Thunderbird, other than the long, drawn-out process of *trying* to connect, and getting multiple layers of error messages *before* you can actually *change* the password?

christ1
christ1
  • Abanikeli abangama-25 abaPhezulu
  • Umntu owongameleyo
is there an easier way to change passwords in Thunderbird, other than the long, drawn-out process of *trying* to connect, and getting multiple layers of error messages *before* you can actually *change* the password?

You cannot change an account password in Thunderbird. All you can do is to delete the password you told Thunderbird to remember, so that you don't have to type it again and again.

In order to change the account password you'd have to login to your account via webmail and change the password there.