Unable to set up new Account
Thunderbird 68.9.0 Running in Windows 10 using IMAP (Gmail servers)
I have been using Thunderbird (in a small business 10 employees) for quite a few years now with very few problems but recently I created a new user on a machine that already had Thunderbird running on other users and the automatic setup failed to find the email account. We have our own domain but use gmail as our email server and I can see the emails ok using Gmail directly. If I try to set up manually, I can set the IMAP server (imap.gmail.com) Port 993) and security SSL/TLS but can't set Authentification to Oauth2 (not in the dropdown list).The SMTP is set to smtp.gmail.com, Port 465, but again can't set the authentification to OAuth2.
After much searching, I found suggestion to set Thunderbird offline, then set the account manually. Using 'Advanced' I can now set the IMAP authentification to OAuth2 (but not for SMTP). However when I put Thunderbird on line again I get 'Failed to connect to IMAP Server'
I have tried different machines, different email accounts and different versions of Thunderbird - all to no avail. I surmise this problem is to do with the authentification but I am now stuck for ideas so I am asking for help please.
Thank you
Joe Jefferies
All Replies (5)
If you have the settings correct, check that cookies are enabled in TB Options/Privacy, and also delete the items in Options/Security/Passwords/Saved Passwords, restart TB, and enter the account password in the OAuth browser window. Disable a VPN if you have one.
If the account is already in Tools/Account Settings, you should be able to set the authentication to OAuth2 on the smtp through Outgoing Server (SMTP) at the bottom of the left pane of Account Settings.
Thank you very much for your reply but unfortunately I carried out your instructions but it did not solve the problem. This morning I uninstalled Thunderbird and re-installed it - this made no difference. I tried on a different machine - unistalled TB and re-installed it - same problem. So not to do with a specific machine or TB installation
I then tried a different email account (same domain) again similar problem. So not specific to a particular email account.
I come back to think this is some some problem with OAuth2 system. I tried using gmail, and I think it has changed - it used to remember the last used account but now it always comes up with the same user account even after I have changed to another user.
Any ideas very welcome
Joe
Did you turn on IMAP in the gsuite Admin console?
https://support.google.com/a/answer/9003945
Uninstalling and re-installing the program seldom helps with most problems that are due to issues in the separate profile folder.
Thank you again for your suggestion. I did check the settings for IMAP. in gsuite admin console and IMAP is enabled. TB & Gmail have worked very well together here for the last 7 years or so.
As to your second point - I had assumed that the profile folder would be removed by the uninstall process.
Thanks again for your help and please suggest any other avenues that I could be exploring
Joe
Try adding a regular @gmail.com account. If it works, then there is something wrong with your gsuite settings. If it doesn't, there some external app, security or AV, interfering. Run in Windows safe mode and see if the account still fails to connect.