To diagnose problems with Thunderbird, try one of the following:

• 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.

Thank you, Matt! I've tried all your suggestions and still have the problem. It began after Thunderbird upgraded to a new version sometime in the last week or two. Any other suggestions? Thank you?

deni66 said

Thank you, Matt! I've tried all your suggestions and still have the problem. It began after Thunderbird upgraded to a new version sometime in the last week or two. Any other suggestions? Thank you.

how do you insert an image into an email?

Every time I try to insert an image I have to change the default setting from "Alternate text" to "Don't use alternate text" and then I can insert the picture. Isn't there a way to make "Don't use alternate text" the default??

I have tried changing outgoing email to html but that didn't help and I can't find any other option to set the default. Please can someone tell me how to change the default from "Use alternate text" to "DON'T use alternate text" so I don't have to change it EVERY time I send a photo?