To add a bit more to my posting: I have checked the Thunderbird settings on my computer. Updates are set to be installed automatically.

Did you deliberately uninstall version 91* and then manually download and install a version 102* ?

Why do I ask this ? Anyone who was using a version 91* would not have had any auto update to a version 102*. Thunderbird is not auto updating any version 91* to any version of 102* at the moment. This information is published in the 102* release notes. eg: version 102.1.2 https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/102.1.2/releasenotes/

Version 91* is continuing to get its own special updates and the latest is version 91.12.0

So, if you never manually installed a version 102*, then you have some updater software running on your computer and it is controlling the updates. That updater software would have detected that version 102* was available and would auto prompt you to get that update. If you were prompted by some pop up to manually download from Thunderbird website then it was not Thunderbird prompting this.

If you did manually uninstall version 91* and then manually downloaded 102* from the website https://www.thunderbird.net/ and ran the installer, from then onwards you would get auto updates for version 102 from Thunderbird of which the latest is 102.1.2

So at this point, you might be getting an auto update from Thunderbird and also update prompts from the updater software program.

I suggest you stop the updater software from looking for updates for Thunderbird and let Thunderbird have the control to do it automatically.

Check the update history:

• Menu icon > Settings > General
• Scroll to 'Updates' section
• click on 'Show Update History'
• What does it say ?

What Anti-virus are you using ? There have been reports the Avast is causing problems by blocking access.

Would you be using Anti-Virus called Avast ?

If yes, then Try the following: It is possible Avast is blocking a necessary link, can you do the following so it can be tested. Info at link below: Add an exception Setting a global exception will exclude individual files, folders, or websites from all scans and shields.

Add as exception: aus.thunderbird.net and also www.thunderbird.net use info at link:

• https://support.avast.com/en-ww/article/Antivirus-scan-exclusions

Then restart Thunderbird.

Hopefully, Avast will then allow the Thunderbird update to work properly.

It would be useful to know if creating the exception fixes the problem.

Clearly Avast is well aware of it or at least loads of reports on Avast forum

• https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=320195.0
• https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=319793.0

Alternative is to switch off Anti-Virus shields and allow Thunderbird to update properly then switch them on again.

Thanks for the three responses. I'll reply to all of them here. No, I wasn't upgrading from version 91, I upgraded from version 101* to 102*. I didn't uninstall v.101 first, I installed v.102 manually over the top of v.101. Up to that point all updates (as distinct from upgrades) have been automatic.

When I click on "Show update history" it reports that no updates have been installed yet (I have manually downloaded and installed two updates - 102.1.1 and 102.1.2.) In the updates section of the account settings, the box for "Use a background service to install updates" is checked. From your information I suppose I should uncheck this.

Yes, I am using Avast! anti-virus software. I will follow your advice and add the Thunderbird settings as an exception. I will do this if the first method above (unchecking background service) doesn't work. Thanks.

re :In the updates section of the account settings, the box for "Use a background service to install updates" is checked. The info at this link describes what that means.

• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/what-mozilla-maintenance-service

It really sounds like you updated Avast or installed it and From then onwards all Thunderbird attempts to update were blocked by Avast, requiring you to manually download and install.

Released versions went from 91* to 102*, but only a manual download would get you using 102.0 There was no relase version 101 unless you were using a beta. There was 101.0b1, 101.0b2, 101.0b3 and 101.0b4 Any way, that point in mute. It is known that Avast are blocking updates. Add the two exceptions to see if it then auto updates properly. If adding the exceptions still fails, then temp disabling of Avast Shield will allow you to get the update done.

Worth making sure the Firewall has Thunderbird exec and the updater software as allowed applications. I use Norton Anti-Virus which controls the firewall as well, but the image below shows how I have the two Thunderbird programs allowed in Firewall.

Thanks for your reply. Before upgrading to V102 my Thunderbird program was showing that I was using V101. I must have upgraded from V91 to a beta version awhile back, thnking it was a normal upgrade.

I've carried out your recommendations - unchecked the background service, and carried out the exceptions in Avast. I've also temporarily disabled Avast before opening Thunderbird.

Your advice was to add "aus.thunderbird.net" as an exception in Avast. When I did so, Avast converted it into "http://aus.thunderbird.net", which makes it a website address. Is this valid? The alternatives are to add it as a file/folder or as a command. What am I supposed to do?

Presently the Update section of Thunderbird's settings reports that I have done no updates at all. When I click Check for Updates it reports there are no new updates available. On my laptop Thunderbird is presently showing as V. 102.1.2. I think there is an available update to V.102.1.3, but my Thunderbird program is not recognising it.

Overall, something appears to be wrong.

Thanks, Roger

re :Check for Updates it reports there are no new updates available. On my laptop Thunderbird is presently showing as V. 102.1.2. I think there is an available update to V.102.1.3, but my Thunderbird program is not recognising it.

The current release is v 102.1.2 Thunderbird is correct, there are no updates as of the time I'm writing this.

You can always check what is the current release from this link: https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/all/ Either hover mouse cursor over one of the download links and you can see info in bottom Status bar OR click on 'Release Notes'

re :Your advice was to add "aus.thunderbird.net" as an exception in Avast. When I did so, Avast converted it into "http://aus.thunderbird.net", which makes it a website address. Is this valid?

Yes.

Additional info if you want to see why I advised you to make that particular exception. See image below as guide. Note: In this forum question there is a thumbnail image - click on it to enlarge if required.

You can test this for yourself.

• Menu icon > Settings > General
• Scroll to bottom
• Click on 'Config Editor' button
• 'Advanced Perferences' opens in a new tab
• Type: app.update.log
• It may b e set as false - you can use the double headed type of arrow to reverse the setting to 'True'

You can always click on the reverse icon to reset later on.

Then force Thunderbird to do a check:

• Menu icon > Help > About Thunderbird

How to see what happened....

• Menu icon > Tools > Developer Tools > Error Console
• OR use shortcut keys Ctrl+Shift+J

Scroll down and you will find references to https://aus.thunderbird.net

Thanks for your help! I won't know until the next update is available if the changes I've made in Thunderbird and Avast! will make the download automatic. - Roger

Same situation, Win7; fix is far, far to complicated. Just want email. Easier to switch platforms than diagnose and troubleshoot to correct.

Same situation, Win7; fix is far, far to complicated. Just want email. Easier to switch platforms than diagnose and troubleshoot to correct.

There is no diagnosing required and no Troubleshooting required. You can follow the additional info to prove it to yourself if you really want to do it, but it is not required because it is a well known problem caused by Avast. The shields are causing a block so you have to make exceptions to allow the two links I mention.

If you want to install and run an Anti-Virus program then you need to learn how to allow programs in the Firewall and how to control your Anti-Virus. It is not a difficult 'fix'. The options are simple: If you are using Avast then uninstall it and just use the built in computer security protection OR set up the two exceptions as instructed.

This is not an error or problem that can be fixed in Thunderbird. There is no bug. Thunderbird cannot do what it needs to do because you have installed an Anti-Virus and it is blocking required access.