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Can't use send later option. Error message returned: There was an error saving the message to Outbox. Retry?

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  • Last reply by alto100

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Using the Send Later option and error message is returned: 'There was an error saving the message to Outbox. Retry? ' I've noticed the Outbox is empty and can't open it in Thunderbird. Hitting retry just goes into a loop. Hitting cancel ends the task and the message is lost. Using Win7 and the most current version of Thunderbird.

Using the Send Later option and error message is returned: 'There was an error saving the message to Outbox. Retry? ' I've noticed the Outbox is empty and can't open it in Thunderbird. Hitting retry just goes into a loop. Hitting cancel ends the task and the message is lost. Using Win7 and the most current version of Thunderbird.

Chosen solution

re: The window comes up and the location below the name 'Outbox' is blank.

It should not be blank. Sounds like Thunderbird does not know the location of Local Folders, so cannot save later to that file. This should have something like this: mailbox:///C:/Users/User Name/AppData/Roaming/Thunderbird/Profiles/xxxxxxxx.default/Mail/Local Folders/Unsent Messages

where 'User Name' is the name of the UserAccount created on computer and xxxxxxxx.default is the name of the Profile.

Some checks: in a profile which has an Outbox shown in Local Folders

Tools > Account Settings > Local Folders On the right side it should say: Account Name : Local Folders Local directory: C:\Users\User Name\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\xxxxxxxx.default\Mail\Local Folders

Confirm you have this - tell us/copy paste what you have. If it is blank, click on 'Browse' button and locate the correct directory for Local Folders in the corect profile. click on OK

Close and reopen Thunderbird then right click on 'Outbox' and select 'Properties' Does it now say a local directory?


If yes, what does it say? then try to save a new Write message as 'Send later'. what happened?


If still not working please tell us following: Tools > Options > Advanced > General tab click on 'Config Editor' button it will say be careful In the top search type: send look for thses lines: mail.server.server2.directory; (you may have a different server number) Value: C:\Users\User Name\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\xxxxxxxx.default\Mail\Local Folders mail.server.server2.directory-rel; Value = [ProfD]Mail/Local Folders mail.server.server2.hostname; Value = Local Folders mail.server.server2.name; Value = Local Folders

mail.default_sendlater_uri; Value = mailbox://nobody@Local%20Folders/Unsent%20Messages

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All Replies (10)

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Hello,

Try repair the folder:

  • Click with right button mouse on Outbox >> Properties >> Repair Folder

See:

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Repairing the Outbox folder doesn't work. The window comes up and the location below the name 'Outbox' is blank. Clicking on 'Repair folder' does nothing. Clicking 'OK' does nothing as well and the file properties window remains. Must use 'Cancel' to close it. Is it possible there is no Outbox file on my disk drive and that Thunderbird only has the name on the screen? Where should I find the file if it truly exists? Can't see it in the Mozilla/Thunderbird directory in Program files.

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Multiple profiles makes no difference. Still get the same error. Some one needs to answer my previous question on the location of Outbox.

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The Outbox file will be in your profile. It is under Users or Documents And Settings, not in the Programs folders. Oh, and it is hidden by default.

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Thunderbird https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-tb

If there is an Outbox file there - EDIT it's actually named Unsent Messages here! - , close Thunderbird then try deleting the Outbox file via your computer's file manager. I'd expect Thunderbird to create a new one when it's needed.

But you say multiple profiles make no difference? You have created and used a virgin profile and have the same problem?

Thunderbird has problems forwarding messages with graphics. I'm wondering if the same issue arise when using send later; does the stalled message have links to images, for instance?

Modified by Zenos

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My Thunderbird profile was located and two files named unsent messages and unsent messages.msf were located and deleted after closing Thunderbird. Reopening the mail app and choosing to send message later, the same error message comes up. Going back into profiles to look for the files that had been deleted, nothing was there. Those files were not recreated.

Multiple profiles do not make a difference. I've created a new profile and the same crap is happening.

Graphics have nothing to do with this problem.

Can I create this file that I deleted on my own? Will this make any difference?

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Thunderbird has a single outbox called "unsent messages"... it is in mail\local folders in your profile.

"using the send latter option." If you restart Thunderbird from the help menu with add-ons disabled does this issue occur.

If you use the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + Return so specify send later does the issue occur?

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There are no add-ons to this email client.

Using the short cut results in the same issue.

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Seçilmiş Həll

re: The window comes up and the location below the name 'Outbox' is blank.

It should not be blank. Sounds like Thunderbird does not know the location of Local Folders, so cannot save later to that file. This should have something like this: mailbox:///C:/Users/User Name/AppData/Roaming/Thunderbird/Profiles/xxxxxxxx.default/Mail/Local Folders/Unsent Messages

where 'User Name' is the name of the UserAccount created on computer and xxxxxxxx.default is the name of the Profile.

Some checks: in a profile which has an Outbox shown in Local Folders

Tools > Account Settings > Local Folders On the right side it should say: Account Name : Local Folders Local directory: C:\Users\User Name\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\xxxxxxxx.default\Mail\Local Folders

Confirm you have this - tell us/copy paste what you have. If it is blank, click on 'Browse' button and locate the correct directory for Local Folders in the corect profile. click on OK

Close and reopen Thunderbird then right click on 'Outbox' and select 'Properties' Does it now say a local directory?


If yes, what does it say? then try to save a new Write message as 'Send later'. what happened?


If still not working please tell us following: Tools > Options > Advanced > General tab click on 'Config Editor' button it will say be careful In the top search type: send look for thses lines: mail.server.server2.directory; (you may have a different server number) Value: C:\Users\User Name\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\xxxxxxxx.default\Mail\Local Folders mail.server.server2.directory-rel; Value = [ProfD]Mail/Local Folders mail.server.server2.hostname; Value = Local Folders mail.server.server2.name; Value = Local Folders

mail.default_sendlater_uri; Value = mailbox://nobody@Local%20Folders/Unsent%20Messages

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Thank you. It appears to be working now that I have the proper directory in the Local Folders indicator. Should have figured this out myself.