Message filters work manually, but not automatically. This is new.
Yesterday i did some maintenance of my inbox. Basically, rearranged a few folders (directories), eliminated some, etc. After ascertaining everything was working, I ran Thundefix (as a preventative). Again, everything seems fine.
Today, my inbox is flooded with messages, which the filters didn't route. So I went into the message filters, clicked edit, the ran the filter and it worked. Great I thought, a minor inconvenience but not the end of the world (although I've probably got 200 filters). Anyway, I did a few more as new email came in (figuring if kept plugging away and 'updating' the filters eventually I'll get done). So to recap, 'update' of a filter is just me clicking on the rule, clicking edit, then save and exiting because the rules are exactly as I made them, and when I click run manually, the filter rule works and the message is routed appropriately.
Here's the rub. Later today, more messages arrived for filters I have already done. Weird thing is, they're not working. However, if I go into message filters and select run manually, it works perfectly. It's just not automatically. Anyway, as you can imagine, it's driving me batty.
Help gratefully appreciated. Note, been running Thunderbird for years. This is new behavior. -- Cheers, John
All Replies (9)
have you compacted the folders since you updates. I suggest you do. I find most issues with filters running are caused by short intervals between message fetches (less than 10 minutes) and anti virus products that lock the files holding mail because they have changed so the filters can not update them. Personally I do not recommend any real time scanning of mail folders with anti virus products.
Hi Matt, Sadly I must report this does not solve the issue.
Some filters are working fine. Others, are not. For example, my ebay message filter routes messages from ebay@ebay.com to a folder named pending with a sub-folder (equivalent of a subdirectory) named ebay, or it is supposed to. Note; it works perfectly when I click on it and run it manually. But it doesn't work at all automatically.
So in frustration I deleted it. Then I went through the steps for making a new one . . . you know, click on the message and tell it to create a new filter, name it, tell it what to do, and the directory to which it should be routed. Only took a few moments (but I have 159 message filters so replacing them will be laborious).
So today, guess what? A message from ebay@ebay.com arrives at my inbox. Grrrr! Anyway, going to message filters and clicking on the ebay filter rule and presto, it runs just fine (meaning the message is moved from inbox to the appropriate subdirectory).
However, the why for it not working automatically is beyond me. Color me frustrated - but - I offer my thanks for taking of your time to try and help me. Sigh! -- John, at wits end.
I am also experiencing this very problem. I do not need to do the filter edit, just run it manually after the message is saved in the inbox and it works properly. When the automatic filter run fails, there is a pop up message that says there is something wrong with the target folder. There isn't anything wrong with the folder(s) - they are fine when manually selecting the "Run Now" button.
OldWilly said
When the automatic filter run fails, there is a pop up message that says there is something wrong with the target folder. There isn't anything wrong with the folder(s) - they are fine when manually selecting the "Run Now" button.
Well clearly they are not when you are getting mail, or you would not get a message. The trick is in determining what might be the issue. So for the sake of clarity what is the error message (verbatim please)
Matt: Samples of the failure - when the filter is subsequently run from the filter tool dialog with the "Run Now" button the filter works properly.
This failure is sporadic.
I am using the latest version of Thunderbird
This has just started withing the past 3 to 4 days.
Other filters are working fine.
The filters that are failing have been working error free for weeks or months without any modification of the filters.
[1/15/2021, 3:12:11 PM] Filter action failed: "Move failed" with error code=0x8055000f while attempting: Applied filter "The Epoch Times" to message from The Epoch Times <newsletter@epochtimes.com> - More Highly Transmissible Variant of CCP Virus Detected in 10 States: CDC at 1/15/2021, 2:48:46 PM moved message id = 6e19f21d-f30a-bd51-6399-952dfa77c410@bounce.epochtimes.com to mailbox://journewj@pop.sbcglobal.yahoo.com/AB_EpochTimes
[1/15/2021, 7:32:37 PM] Filter action failed: "Move failed" with error code=0x8055000f while attempting: Applied filter "onlinebanking@alert.bankofamerica.com" to message from "Bank of America" <onlinebanking@ealerts.bankofamerica.com> - Your Account Notices Are Now Available in Mobile and Online Banking at 1/15/2021, 4:13:58 PM moved message id = 88135ef1-df33-4761-94fc-8a204ca61730@las1s04mta1080.xt.local to mailbox://journewj@pop.sbcglobal.yahoo.com/AA-BANKING%20ALERT
[1/15/2021, 7:32:44 PM] Filter action failed: "Failed applying the filter action" with error code=0x8055000f while attempting: Applied filter "The Epoch Times" to message from The Epoch Times <newsletter@epochtimes.com> - The Woke Movement is Leninism 4.0: Political Commentator Dr. James Lindsay at 1/15/2021, 7:07:24 PM moved message id = 8508fbdc-b859-f0ea-097c-aeab4799b1db@bounce.epochtimes.com to mailbox://journewj@pop.sbcglobal.yahoo.com/AB_EpochTimes
[1/15/2021, 7:32:44 PM] Message from filter "The Epoch Times": Applying filter actions failed
[1/15/2021, 7:32:44 PM] Filter run failed
[1/15/2021, 8:52:01 PM] Filter action failed: "Move failed" with error code=0x8055000f while attempting: Applied filter "onlinebanking@alert.bankofamerica.com" to message from "Bank of America" <onlinebanking@ealerts.bankofamerica.com> - Account Alert: Debit Card Used Online, by Phone or by Mail at 1/15/2021, 8:32:17 PM moved message id = 2c585fdb-b8bd-44e0-97eb-5956e72d907f@las1s04mta1081.xt.local to mailbox://journewj@pop.sbcglobal.yahoo.com/AA-BANKING%20ALERT
Hi Matt, Good morning, or day - depends! Not receiving a popup like Willy, but here's the contents of the filter log, which I reset the other day. Regarding the very last one, I can't be sure but I believe that was me running the ebay filter manually yesterday. The time and date strikes me as about right for me to have done it. Thanks for trying to help. -- Cheers, John
[1/14/2021, 7:16:38 AM] Message from filter "Newsletters - !Peggy": Applying filter actions failed
[1/14/2021, 7:16:38 AM] Filter run failed
[1/14/2021, 7:26:39 AM] Message from filter "CPO Tools": Applying filter actions failed
[1/14/2021, 7:26:39 AM] Filter run failed
[1/14/2021, 10:16:38 AM] Message from filter "! Newsletters - TV Technology SmartBrief": Applying filter actions failed
[1/14/2021, 10:16:38 AM] Filter run failed
[1/14/2021, 10:16:38 AM] Message from filter "Newsletters- Asia Times": Applying filter actions failed
[1/14/2021, 10:16:38 AM] Filter run failed
[1/14/2021, 12:26:38 PM] Message from filter "Newsletters - Wolf Street": Applying filter actions failed
[1/14/2021, 12:26:38 PM] Filter run failed
[1/14/2021, 12:36:38 PM] Message from filter "Newsletter-NoFilmSchool": Applying filter actions failed
[1/14/2021, 12:36:38 PM] Filter run failed
[1/14/2021, 1:37:05 PM] Message from filter "Scherrcap": Applying filter actions failed
[1/14/2021, 1:37:05 PM] Filter run failed
[1/14/2021, 1:56:38 PM] Message from filter "Scherrcap": Applying filter actions failed
[1/14/2021, 1:56:38 PM] Filter run failed
[1/14/2021, 2:06:42 PM] Message from filter "RCGroups": Applying filter actions failed
[1/14/2021, 2:06:42 PM] Filter run failed
[1/14/2021, 2:26:39 PM] Message from filter "AMA": Applying filter actions failed
[1/14/2021, 2:26:39 PM] Filter run failed
[1/14/2021, 2:26:39 PM] Message from filter "eBay": Applying filter actions failed
[1/14/2021, 2:26:39 PM] Filter run failed
[1/14/2021, 2:39:22 PM] Applied filter "AMA Air" to message from "AMA Air" <amaair@modelaircraft.org> - A Special Guest on AMA Air! at 1/14/2021, 2:15:28 PM moved message id = 0.0.0.1C0.1D6EAA99F4367EC.A5413@mail131.magnetmail.net to mailbox://nobody@Local%20Folders/Inbox/%21Newsletters/%21%20AMA-as%20JB
[1/14/2021, 2:40:37 PM] Applied filter "pending - eBay" to message from eBay <ebay@ebay.com> -
My final analysis finds that the windows update "Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool (KB890830)" is what caused the problem (Applied same day as this problem started, 13 January 2021). In that I am using Avast and keeping the signature file up to date, the removal tool is moot. Reason I feel this caused the problem is it occurred on two different PCs both running Windows 7 and restoring the system to the point just before applying the update solves my problem. Not only do I have the solution for this problem, but having lost the outlook 365 account also was caused by this update.
This was a major battle in that I had to use the import/export tools to migrate all of my messages to create a fresh clean profile. For some, this would not have been a major task, but I have three email accounts in one profile and a huge number of messages saved in the profile as I needed to reference data in some of those messages.
I have dozens of filter and was able to export and import them, but, guess what, the destination folders were not included in the export. As such, I had to edit each of the filters to add back the destination folders.
Remember, in Windows, if you know you do not need to apply specific updates, you can right click on the update in the update list to hide it.
ok this is just too confusing so I will not be responding to oldwilly again in this thread. My guess is he has all sorts of residual problems from his Migration of mail folders" mentioned here. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1322650 I am also of the opinion that while there might be some similarity in symptom, that is where the similarities end and leaving then co joined is not going to be helpful.
@OldWilly, I suggest you get with explaining all of your issues in your topic so they can be addressed as they are all probably all related.
The following is fairly standard advice, but it is important to try and limit things so we can start to work out where the problem is coming from.
- Restart Thunderbird with add-ons disabled (Thunderbird Safe Mode). On the Help menu, click on "Restart with Add-ons Disabled". If Thunderbird works like normal, there is an Add-on or Theme interfering with normal operations. You will need to re-enable add-ons one at a time until you locate the offender.
- Restart the operating system in safe mode with Networking. This loads only the very basics needed to start your computer while enabling an Internet connection. Click on your operating system for instructions on how to start in safe mode: Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, OSX
- If safe mode for the operating system fixes the issue, there's other software in your computer that's causing problems. Possibilities include but not limited to: AV scanning, virus/malware, background downloads such as program updates.
Matt, sorry I was not more explicit. I replied with the last message to indicate where the problem cam from and what my experience was. I was not expecting any further action from you or the TBird team. I do thank you for looking at it. We are done with this thread. It was the windows update that was at fault and I have recovered.