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Authentication failure wile connecting to server imap.gmail.com

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  • Last reply by Toad-Hall

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Today I updated my copy of Thunderbird. It couldn't do it automatically so I had to download it and install it again. Ever since then I've been unable to connect to the gmail server. I've checked all the server setup information for the correct names and ports and parameters and nothing seems to help. My Thunderbird is 78.1.1 32-bit. I can't read the release notes because it says the secure connection has failed. My Charter email account works just fine, it's just the Gmail account that's giving me trouble.

Today I updated my copy of Thunderbird. It couldn't do it automatically so I had to download it and install it again. Ever since then I've been unable to connect to the gmail server. I've checked all the server setup information for the correct names and ports and parameters and nothing seems to help. My Thunderbird is 78.1.1 32-bit. I can't read the release notes because it says the secure connection has failed. My Charter email account works just fine, it's just the Gmail account that's giving me trouble.

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Thunderbird is currently not updating automatically from 68* to 78*. It can only be done by downloading and installing.

You use Imap and authentication relates to 'Authentication Method' in Account Settings > Server Settings for incoming and also the Outgoing sever smtp. What is the 'Authentication Method' ? If 'Normal Password' then it is possible that gmail have deliberately blocked you and want you to logon to their webmail account to reset the option use 'less secure apps'. They do this every so often.

However, gmail prefer imap to use Authentication Method: OAuth Suggest you alter the 'Authentication Method in incoming and outgoing smtp to use OAuth. Then gmail will prompt you to logon to check you are really you and say that Thunderbird wants access. At this point Gmail then sets up a token which is stored in the same place as passwords and from then onwards Thunderbird will use that OAuth token to connect to server.