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I can't download gmail email in reinstalled thunderbird

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  • Last reply by toucan

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I had to reformat my hard drive. I backed up the profile per Thunderbird's instructions before the reformat. After the reformat, I reinstalled Thunderbird then recovered the profile contents to the new profile folder. When I open Thunderbird, I have all my old emails. However, when I click on Get New Messages, nothing shows up. I check GMail and I have new emails but they are not being downloaded. I made a test email to send out but it doesn't send out. The error message says "The message could not be sent using SMTP server smtp.googlemail.com for an unknown reason. Please verify your SMTP server settings are correct and try again." I tried to find what the server settings should be but could not find info. Help! I need help finding out what's wrong and how to correct it.

I had to reformat my hard drive. I backed up the profile per Thunderbird's instructions before the reformat. After the reformat, I reinstalled Thunderbird then recovered the profile contents to the new profile folder. When I open Thunderbird, I have all my old emails. However, when I click on Get New Messages, nothing shows up. I check GMail and I have new emails but they are not being downloaded. I made a test email to send out but it doesn't send out. The error message says "The message could not be sent using SMTP server smtp.googlemail.com for an unknown reason. Please verify your SMTP server settings are correct and try again." I tried to find what the server settings should be but could not find info. Help! I need help finding out what's wrong and how to correct it.

Chosen solution

Have been able to solve my problem. In my case, I did a fresh start by uninstalling Thunderbird and deleting the data file (profiles). Then reinstalled Thunderbird. After this, I created my email accounts first and allowed it to verified by gmail. Then I manually copied only the files I needed - which were the address book, the inbox & sent files and the popstate file. My Thunderbird now works! Yahoo!!

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If nothing is coming in and nothing is going out: Please check your anti-virus/firewall product and make sure Thunderbird is set to 'Allow'.

Example: I use Norton Anti-Virus/Firewall. Sometimes, after an update or in your case newly installed, Thunderbird is not recognised as being allowed. Close Thunderbird and access Norton. Settings > Network > Smart Firewall > Program Rules Locate Thunderbird and set to 'Allow' On one occasion, I have had to block, ok and then reset to Allow.

If you use another Firewall/Anti-virus program, then there will be similar settings. So check this first.

Modified by Toad-Hall

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I checked my Firewall and Thunderbird is allowed.

I tested creating a new account in Thunderbird and I am able to pickup my mail then. But in the old (recovered profile) account, I am unable to do anything.

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Chosen Solution

Have been able to solve my problem. In my case, I did a fresh start by uninstalling Thunderbird and deleting the data file (profiles). Then reinstalled Thunderbird. After this, I created my email accounts first and allowed it to verified by gmail. Then I manually copied only the files I needed - which were the address book, the inbox & sent files and the popstate file. My Thunderbird now works! Yahoo!!