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Some emails (not all!) unreadable in Ubuntu 20.04 system dark mode

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Hi,

I'm using TB 78.13.0 (64 bit) on Ubuntu 20.04.2

I've enabled Ubuntu's system-wide dark mode. In TB, some (not all!) emails are unreadable due to dark font colour on dark background no matter which TB-color mode I choose.

Not all emails are affected: Some standard mails use white font on dark background. Some use a standard white-background display. And some (newsletters, but emails by friends too) appear with grey font or possibly even black font on dark background. The description text of images appears in white then, and links are blue.

This stays the same (for those mails) no matter what TB color theme I select!

I don't really care if those mail is going to be displayed in bright mode or dark mode, I just want to be able to read all mail. Any thoughts? Thanks!

Hi, I'm using TB 78.13.0 (64 bit) on Ubuntu 20.04.2 I've enabled Ubuntu's system-wide dark mode. In TB, some (not all!) emails are unreadable due to dark font colour on dark background '''no matter which TB-color mode I choose.''' Not all emails are affected: Some standard mails use white font on dark background. Some use a standard white-background display. And some (newsletters, but emails by friends too) appear with grey font or possibly even black font on dark background. The description text of images appears in white then, and links are blue. This stays the same (for those mails) no matter what TB color theme I select! I don't really care if those mail is going to be displayed in bright mode or dark mode, I just want to be able to read all mail. Any thoughts? Thanks!

Chosen solution

@Matt I couldn't find exactly that setting ("not be over ridden"), but I found "Fonts and colours - colours - Use selected colours instead of colours of contents".

If I choose "always" it will display the emails in black with white text. (parts of TB will loose dark theme too).

If I remove the tick at "Apply system colours" it will display the email as it was sent and otherwise leave the TB dark theme. Obviously one should not apply both dark mode system colours and TB dark theme on Ubuntu.

The second one is what I prefer.

Your idea to use the TB font-settings / colours was very helpful. Thanks!

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All Replies (2)

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most folks that use Microsoft outlook specify a black or dark font and a white background in the body of their email. About your only choice is to use Thunderbird font settings and set them to be not over ridden by the sender in preferences.

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Chosen Solution

@Matt I couldn't find exactly that setting ("not be over ridden"), but I found "Fonts and colours - colours - Use selected colours instead of colours of contents".

If I choose "always" it will display the emails in black with white text. (parts of TB will loose dark theme too).

If I remove the tick at "Apply system colours" it will display the email as it was sent and otherwise leave the TB dark theme. Obviously one should not apply both dark mode system colours and TB dark theme on Ubuntu.

The second one is what I prefer.

Your idea to use the TB font-settings / colours was very helpful. Thanks!