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Thunderbird doesn't download emails from Gmail

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I have connected gmail to thunderbird and it has been working great since ages ago. However, somewhere yesterday afternoon Thunderbird suddenly stopped downloading my emails from gmail. I will press the get all messages button to see a message that thunderbird has successfully connected to the gmail server, but nothing actually happens. Going into my gmail however reveals a number of emails that haven't been downloaded. These concern ALL new emails, even the ones that are not in a specific folder.

I am using the latest update, and connecting to google using IMAP (I use imap.googlemail.com, in case its relevant).

I have connected gmail to thunderbird and it has been working great since ages ago. However, somewhere yesterday afternoon Thunderbird suddenly stopped downloading my emails from gmail. I will press the get all messages button to see a message that thunderbird has successfully connected to the gmail server, but nothing actually happens. Going into my gmail however reveals a number of emails that haven't been downloaded. These concern ALL new emails, even the ones that are not in a specific folder. I am using the latest update, and connecting to google using IMAP (I use imap.googlemail.com, in case its relevant).

Chosen solution

Tonnes said

That is why I wrote not to change anything in Thunderbird yet. This is not an issue of a wrong saved login password (that should not have / nor need to be changed), but a possible requirement of an app password at Gmail, or as a replacement, allowing Thunderbird in the Gmail Security settings using webmail (since TB cannot add/enter an app password). Aren’t there any access related webmails from Gmail pointing you there? Also make sure IMAP access is still enabled in the webmail settings.

Sorry for the late reply. When I tried to log in this morning, the issue seemed to have solved itself. I am going to guess that either IMAP was down or my computer was being weird, as this morning I was suddenly greeted with the password on starting Thunderbird. Going with the instructions from Google on their 2-step verification, I was able to use the password generated by Google to log in again.

Thanks for the time.

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All Replies (5)

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Does the webmail contain any messages related to secure logins or app passwords?

Don’t change any settings in Thunderbird yet, but use this Gmail article as a starting point.

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Tonnes said

Does the webmail contain any messages related to secure logins or app passwords? Don’t change any settings in Thunderbird yet, but use this Gmail article as a starting point.

Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to solve the issue. I tried implenting the advice given in that article, which meant I had to fill in the password to authorize the program. Which in turn meant I first had to delete the saved password before I could fill in a new one.

Which lead me to realize that apparently, Thunderbird currently doesn't even get to the password part of logging in to the gmail server (it says it's connected to the server, but I never actually get the part where I have to fill in the password).

However, now I have an additional problem. Now, on top of not connecting to the server, Thunderbird doesn't even seem to be willing to show the saved emails in the local folder. This happened right after I removed the saved passwords, so I am pretty sure the issue is connected.

Modified by mbrandse

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That is why I wrote not to change anything in Thunderbird yet. This is not an issue of a wrong saved login password (that should not have / nor need to be changed), but a possible requirement of an app password at Gmail, or as a replacement, allowing Thunderbird in the Gmail Security settings using webmail (since TB cannot add/enter an app password).

Aren’t there any access related webmails from Gmail pointing you there? Also make sure IMAP access is still enabled in the webmail settings.

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Chosen Solution

Tonnes said

That is why I wrote not to change anything in Thunderbird yet. This is not an issue of a wrong saved login password (that should not have / nor need to be changed), but a possible requirement of an app password at Gmail, or as a replacement, allowing Thunderbird in the Gmail Security settings using webmail (since TB cannot add/enter an app password). Aren’t there any access related webmails from Gmail pointing you there? Also make sure IMAP access is still enabled in the webmail settings.

Sorry for the late reply. When I tried to log in this morning, the issue seemed to have solved itself. I am going to guess that either IMAP was down or my computer was being weird, as this morning I was suddenly greeted with the password on starting Thunderbird. Going with the instructions from Google on their 2-step verification, I was able to use the password generated by Google to log in again.

Thanks for the time.

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I have done what was recommended above but still TB is not downloading my gmail for the last 2 days. I can use the gmail webmail and they are all there, but not on TB. I checked the IMAP and it's still enabled. What else?

I am in a VA hospital setting where I have access to internet through their server and can get on internet, but don't know if I am supposed to adjust TB to work on their server?

I'm not getting any error messages on TB and it doesn't ask for a password either. In the lower left task bar, It shows that it's connected to smtp.gmail.com but nothing happens but a spinning cursor. Will someone please give me some advice?.

Modified by [email protected]