How to Troubleshoot Thunderbird Not Sending Emails

Edited 4 days ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Mozilla Thunderbird is a widely used open-source email client that helps you manage your email, contacts, and calendar in one place. However, like any software, it can sometimes have problems, including problems sending emails. This guide provides detailed information on how to troubleshoot when Thunderbird fails to send emails. We will explain several possible causes and solutions to this problem using simple language and practical advice.

1. Check your internet connection

The first and foremost thing is to make sure that your internet connection is working properly. Without a stable internet connection, Thunderbird cannot send emails. Try these steps:

• Open a web browser and visit any website to confirm that the internet is available.
• If you can't access the Internet, try restarting your router or contact your service provider.

2. Verify the SMTP server settings

SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) settings are important for sending email. Incorrect configuration can lead to interruptions in email delivery. Here's how to verify these settings:

1. Open Thunderbird, go to the menu, and select Account Settings.
2. Find the Outgoing Server (SMTP) option on the left panel.
3. Select your email account and verify details such as server name and port. These must match the settings provided by your email provider.
4. If you're not sure, check your email provider's support page for the correct SMTP settings.

Example:

If you're using Gmail, make sure the SMTP settings are the following:

• Server name: smtp.gmail.com
• Port: 587
• Connection security: STARTTLS
• Username: Your full Gmail address

3. Check authentication details

The SMTP server requires authentication with your email account to send email. If you recently changed your email password, you'll need to update Thunderbird with the new password:

1. Go to Account Settings and select Outgoing Server (SMTP).
2. Select your email account, click Edit, and make sure your username and password are correct.
3. If necessary, re-enter your password when prompted.

4. Test the connection security

Some email providers have specific requirements for connection security. It's important to make sure your Thunderbird setup matches these requirements:

1. In the account settings under Outgoing server (SMTP), check if the connection security matches the recommended setting (usually STARTTLS or SSL/TLS).
2. If you're not sure which one to use, start with STARTTLS, which is usually recommended.

5. Firewall and antivirus interference

Firewalls and antivirus programs may block outbound messages in Thunderbird. Check if these security programs are blocking email delivery:

1. Temporarily disable your firewall and antivirus software.
2. Try sending an email to see if that resolves the issue.
3. If successful, configure exceptions in your security software for Thunderbird's network activity.

6. Review the email outbox

Sometimes, emails stuck in the Outbox folder indicate a server or network problem. Make sure the Outbox is clean:

1. Go to the Outbox folder under your account.
2. If there is a message, try sending it again or delete any problematic emails.

7. SMTP logs and error messages

Thunderbird's error messages may provide clues. By enabling the SMTP log, you can better understand what's wrong:

1. Open Thunderbird and go to Menu > Help > Troubleshooting Information.
2. In the Troubleshooting Information tab, click Open Folder to open the Profiles folder.
3. Close Thunderbird.
4. In the profile folder, edit or create a file named user.js with the following contents:

user_pref("mail.smtp.loglevel", "All"); user_pref("mail.smtp.log.success", true);

1. Save the file and reopen Thunderbird. Try sending an email, and then check the generated log for error details.

8. Update Thunderbird

Make sure you are using the latest version of Thunderbird as it includes the latest security patches and bug fixes:

1. Go to Menu > Help > About Thunderbird.
2. Thunderbird will automatically check for updates and prompt you to download them if they're available.

9. Check account quota

Your email account may have a sending quota limit. Verify it:

1. Log in to your email account through a web browser.
2. Check for warning messages about any quotas or limits.

10. Re-add your email account

As a last resort, deleting and re-adding the account can sometimes fix permanent problems:

1. In Thunderbird, go to Menu > Account Settings.
2. Select your email account and click Remove account.
3. Close Thunderbird, reopen it, and then re-add your email account.
4. Follow the prompts and re-enter your credentials and settings.

Conclusion

Email problems, especially not being able to send emails in Thunderbird, can be frustrating and frustrating. However, by following the steps above, you can systematically diagnose and resolve the root causes of these sending problems. Always start with basic checks like internet connectivity and correct SMTP settings, as these are often the main causes. If problems persist, looking at more detailed logs and configurations may provide answers. Always remember to handle your email account information and software configuration carefully to maintain security and functionality.

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