This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

Thunderbird not recognizing my profile, starts as new?

  • 1 reply
  • 1 has this problem
  • 30 views
  • Last reply by Matt

sesik1
sesik1
more options

Hi, I started my laptop as normal and opened Thunderbird to check emails which was fine. In the middle of checking emails the laptop just switched off unexpectedly (still don't know why). I restarted the laptop and was prompted to do a disk check which I did then it booted up fine. I started Thunderbird again but it came up as setting up a new account not recognizing my existing profile accounts which are multiple. I've spent hours searching for a solution, which led me to the prefs.js issue. I followed some instructions to rename the prefs-1.js file which I did and it partially worked but not to my original settings and all accounts. I then copied and renamed an older backup version of the prefs.js file which also worked but then included accounts I didn't have anymore. I'm trying to get back my original prefs.js settings but don't know how to or if it's possible at all.

Thank you in advance.

Hi, I started my laptop as normal and opened Thunderbird to check emails which was fine. In the middle of checking emails the laptop just switched off unexpectedly (still don't know why). I restarted the laptop and was prompted to do a disk check which I did then it booted up fine. I started Thunderbird again but it came up as setting up a new account not recognizing my existing profile accounts which are multiple. I've spent hours searching for a solution, which led me to the prefs.js issue. I followed some instructions to rename the prefs-1.js file which I did and it partially worked but not to my original settings and all accounts. I then copied and renamed an older backup version of the prefs.js file which also worked but then included accounts I didn't have anymore. I'm trying to get back my original prefs.js settings but don't know how to or if it's possible at all. Thank you in advance.

Modified by sesik1

All Replies (1)

Matt
Matt
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

sesik1 said
I'm trying to get back my original prefs.js settings but don't know how to or if it's possible at all.

If the operating system crash corrupted the file and you do not have a backup, then the discussion is largely over. There are plans for a Thunderbird sync like Firefox has, but it has missed the last two major releases and will not help with your current issue.

I suggest you go with the prefs.ini that has all your accounts and just remove the ones that no longer exist.