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Thunderbird running before app is started. And starting Thunderbird claims it is already running

  • 3 replies
  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by Wayne Mery

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Long tome TB user currently on 102.5.0 under W10. For some time now, when I start TB, about 50% of the time it will report that TB is already running and it won't start. If I go to Task Manager I usually find 6 TB processes running and once I have ended them all, I can then start TB.

Further research shows that after the PC is started there are nearly always a number of TB processes running even though TB has not been started.

A number of questions really: Why are TB process running before it's started? (It's not a 'startup' program) When TB fails with the 'already running' message, why does the 'Close TB' option always fail? ... and overall, how can I get it back to working properly! Thanks

Long tome TB user currently on 102.5.0 under W10. For some time now, when I start TB, about 50% of the time it will report that TB is already running and it won't start. If I go to Task Manager I usually find 6 TB processes running and once I have ended them all, I can then start TB. Further research shows that after the PC is started there are '''nearly''' always a number of TB processes running even though TB has not been started. A number of questions really: Why are TB process running before it's started? (It's not a 'startup' program) When TB fails with the 'already running' message, why does the 'Close TB' option always fail? ... and overall, how can I get it back to working properly! Thanks

Modified by Wayne Mery

All Replies (3)

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When you have been using Thunderbird and want to shut down computer:

Do you Exit Thunderbird first and wait a few moments for background processes to complete before you 'Shut down' computer ?

If Thunderbird is deemed as already running then you cannot open another Thunderbird otherwise it will say it is already running.

Usually, you do not see any processes running in Task Manager - in this situation you need to access the Appdata/Roaming/Thunderbird/Profiles/ profile name folder and delete the 'parent.lock' file. Then you should be able to start Thunderbird. Sometimes, if computer shut down too soon, Thunderbird has not processed the 'parent.lock' or Anti-Virus product is still scanning opened files.

I'll get back to you. I need to log out.

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Thanks. I do shutdown TB before shutting down the PC but as closing email is usually the last thing I do, I suspect shutdown follows quite quickly. I'll try waiting for it to do it's housekeeping first and see if that helps.

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You'll want to check task manager's DETAILS tab to ensure not a single thunderbird process is running.