A lot of people use Thunderbird, an open source and cross-platform email app. Of course, it has mistakes, bugs, and other problems, just like any other app. The problem that keeps coming up in forums is that Thunderbird doesn’t download messages. Today, we’ll talk about this problem. This blog post will go into depth about some of the reasons for this problem and how they might be fixed. We will also talk about software that can help you back up all of your info in different formats. So that this problem doesn’t get in the way of your business in the future.

Problems that often happen and how to fix them when Thunderbird doesn’t download messages

There could be more than one reason for this problem. Also, different problems need different ways to fix them. That’s exactly what this part is going to be about. Keep reading to find out more.

Case 1: After an update, Thunderbird won't download emails

This is a problem that a lot of Tbird people have. It most likely happens when an antivirus or firewall stops the updated version because it thinks it is unsafe.

In these situations, a simple fix like setting up the firewall or security to let Thunderbird work is all that's needed to fix it. This problem can sometimes be fixed by updating the firewall or security software.

Case 2: Thunderbird isn't getting messages from the server

I have a fast wifi link and use Windows 8. Three days ago, my Thunderbird email app stopped downloading messages all of a sudden. I don’t know what’s wrong because it’s been working fine for two years. It says “Downloading # of #” when I click on “Get Messages,” but nothing comes through. I’ve tried everything and have no more ideas. We’d appreciate any ideas you have.

This problem usually happens with Tbird accounts that are set up for POP3. But it doesn’t just happen with POP accounts; it also happens with IMAP accounts.

The first thing you should do is make sure that your account is set up correctly. Check to see if you have set up Thunderbird to download new messages on its own. To do that, go to the menu and select Tools, then Account Settings, and finally Server Settings. Now, check the box next to Download new messages immediately.

Still, Thunderbird doesn’t get messages? After that, look at the other server settings in this window to make sure everything is set up correctly. Check to see if these settings match the ones your email provider told you to use to connect to their computers.

Another possibility for this issue is that a bad message has been sent. When Tbird finds a bad message, it stops downloading right away. You can fix this by opening your email account and getting rid of the “bad” message.

Case 3: Other general things you can do if Thunderbird won't download your messages

Use one of these ways to figure out what’s wrong with Thunderbird downloads: -

For a safe restart, go to the Help menu and choose “Restart with Add-ons disabled.” Any issue with how well an add-on or style works with Thunderbird could stop it from working and cause the problem. Start Tbird without any add-ons and then turn each one back on one by one to see if the problem still happens. When you find a broken add-on, remove it.

To restart the computer, use “safe mode with networking.” It will connect your computer to the internet and start it up with just the basics. It will work if the issue with Thunderbird not getting messages is fixed in safe mode. Then the problem is caused by software that you installed. Most likely, they are antivirus programs, routers, virus/malware protection, background downloads, and other things.

If you use Gmail, make sure that the "Allow less secure apps" setting is turned on in your account settings.

There could be something wrong with the email folder. It might help to pack it down every so often.

Also, Thunderbird won't always download messages if your email service limits the amount of space in your inbox. Get rid of trash and spam emails to make room.

This problem can happen because of too many items in the cache. Clear out the cache and put large files somewhere else.

What should you do if Thunderbird stops getting emails?

Thunderbird is a very famous email client that people use for both work and pleasure. When Thunderbird doesn’t download messages, it can be very bad for people who use it.

It’s impossible to say what important information the user might need in the email app. To escape these kinds of problems, you might want to make a copy of your Thunderbird data. Softaken Thunderbird Conversion Suite is the best tool for this job.

Because it’s easy to convert and export all Thunderbird emails to files like PST, EML, MSG, HTML, NSF, and IMAP-enabled apps (like Gmail, O365, Yahoo, etc.). It’s easy to make a copy of your Tbird info in any format you need. It will also help you if you decide to switch from Thunderbird to a better client, like MS Outlook.

Last Words

Users often use Mozilla Thunderbird as their email client to communicate and organize their information. It has many useful features. But Thunderbird doesn't always download texts. In these situations, users' work is slowed down, and it could even be fatal for some companies.

So, this article gave you many ways to fix situations where Thunderbird stops getting messages. We also talked about a great way for users to escape this problem in the future if they want to switch to a better client like Outlook.