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.

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

Why "Open in conversation" is not useable ?

  • 5 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 2 views
  • Last reply by AlyB

more options

Hi there,

since a while, the feature "Open in conversation" is not usable anymore. I had a look to some other threads here, but none of them get me fix that problem.

To be clear, I check that the "References" field of the newer email corresponds to the "Message-ID" of the older. I've also tried to set a new account or to restart with no plugins, nothing makes it change.

Any idea ?

I am running thunderbird 38.7.0, on linux x86_64. I set up an IMAP account and my local folder is on lan folder via NFS but I've also tried with a local folder.

Hi there, since a while, the feature "Open in conversation" is not usable anymore. I had a look to some other threads here, but none of them get me fix that problem. To be clear, I check that the "References" field of the newer email corresponds to the "Message-ID" of the older. I've also tried to set a new account or to restart with no plugins, nothing makes it change. Any idea ? I am running thunderbird 38.7.0, on linux x86_64. I set up an IMAP account and my local folder is on lan folder via NFS but I've also tried with a local folder.

Modified by Sigmun

Chosen solution

Ok, I don't know why but global indexing was switch off. Switching it on makes Conversation back ! Thanks you anyway for checking. For the feedback, 1. Remove existing database as Matt suggested (https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/rebuilding-global-database) 2. Switch on Global Indexing (Preference / Advanced) 3. Restart Thunderbird

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (5)

more options

I am using a daily build of Thunderbird (that is the developers build) and when I right click on a threaded message and select open in conversation a new tab opens with all the message in their threaded view (including those in the sent folder)

So I am at a loss, given you say you have already tried a restart in safe mode.unless the global database is defective. Try rebuilding it. See https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/rebuilding-global-database

Modified by Matt

more options

I also tried... Not working !

more options

I just tried also the beta version (45.0), not working. It must come from something else... but what ?

more options

Chosen Solution

Ok, I don't know why but global indexing was switch off. Switching it on makes Conversation back ! Thanks you anyway for checking. For the feedback, 1. Remove existing database as Matt suggested (https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/rebuilding-global-database) 2. Switch on Global Indexing (Preference / Advanced) 3. Restart Thunderbird

Modified by Sigmun

more options

Oh damn, it sounded like this was going to solve my problems and fix the issue. However, after following the instructions to Delete the global-messages-db.sqlite file and then restart Thunderbird, when I look at the Activity Manager it just hangs and doesn't do anything. Says "Indexing 9 of 657 messages in Sent (1% complete)" but doesn't change. Just seems to start and then stop. I've tried quitting and starting up Thunderbird a few times but each time this happens. Any clues?