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.

FIXED! Unable to log in at server - OAuth2 token not being saved for Gmail?

  • 1 reply
  • 1 has this problem
  • 92 views
  • Last reply by Roy189

Roy189
Roy189
more options

I am trying to move Gmail accounts from an old Outlook to Thunderbird due to new OAuth2 rules but can't get the accounts set up in Thunderbird on Windows 10: I installed a fresh copy of 31.8 and Imported emails and address books from Outlook ok. I then installed (upgraded to) 91.10 and tried to set up my existing Gmail account: I type in my gmail username and password and choose POP3 then Done and the Google Credentials window pops up. I enter my email and password and it asks to give Thunderbird access so I choose Allow. The Account Setup screen then says Checking Password and Unable to log in at server. Probably wrong configuration, username or password... If I choose Done it just goes in the same loop. If I Configure Manually I can see all the info and pop/smtp servers are correct and using SSL/TLS and OAuth2 but when I try to Get Messages for the account it just pops up the Google Credentials window and after I put in the username/password again no email is downloaded. There is never anything stored in Saved Passwords either so presumably the OAuth2 token is not being saved? I have tried: Reinstalling Thunderbird (including deleting any leftover Thunderbird folders in Programs and User Data) New profile Ensured Cookies are all allowed Added https://accounts.google.com as specifically Allowed exception In my Google account it says Thunderbird IS allowed access (it adds another allow access entry every time I enter the Credentials) Disabled antivirus (Kaspersky) My Gmail username and password are 100% correct - I can log into webmail using them no problem. I have tried to set up 3 different Gmail accounts and all fail with same errors. Hope you can help as I am completely stuck now, thanks

I am trying to move Gmail accounts from an old Outlook to Thunderbird due to new OAuth2 rules but can't get the accounts set up in Thunderbird on Windows 10: I installed a fresh copy of 31.8 and Imported emails and address books from Outlook ok. I then installed (upgraded to) 91.10 and tried to set up my existing Gmail account: I type in my gmail username and password and choose POP3 then Done and the Google Credentials window pops up. I enter my email and password and it asks to give Thunderbird access so I choose Allow. The Account Setup screen then says Checking Password and Unable to log in at server. Probably wrong configuration, username or password... If I choose Done it just goes in the same loop. If I Configure Manually I can see all the info and pop/smtp servers are correct and using SSL/TLS and OAuth2 but when I try to Get Messages for the account it just pops up the Google Credentials window and after I put in the username/password again no email is downloaded. There is never anything stored in Saved Passwords either so presumably the OAuth2 token is not being saved? I have tried: Reinstalling Thunderbird (including deleting any leftover Thunderbird folders in Programs and User Data) New profile Ensured Cookies are all allowed Added https://accounts.google.com as specifically Allowed exception In my Google account it says Thunderbird IS allowed access (it adds another allow access entry every time I enter the Credentials) Disabled antivirus (Kaspersky) My Gmail username and password are 100% correct - I can log into webmail using them no problem. I have tried to set up 3 different Gmail accounts and all fail with same errors. Hope you can help as I am completely stuck now, thanks

Modified by Roy189

Chosen solution

After hours of searching with no joy I have now found a solution below from Toad-Hall (thank you!!!) in this thread: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1379536

It appears that installing Thunderbird 31 first (to import email from Outlook) leaves some files in Thunderbird that stops OAuth2 tokens and cookies etc being saved - I have deleted those files and now all my Gmail accounts are created ok :-)

---

This worked for me:

If you find you keep being asked for password and in : 

   'Menu app icon' > 'Preferences' > 'Privacy & Security '

You discover passwords and cookies are not being saved then do this: 

   Menu app icon > Help > More Troubleshooting Information
   Under 'Application Basics' - Profile Folder - click on 'Open Folder'

This opens a new window showing the contents of your current in use profile name folder. 

   Exit Thunderbird now - this is important.

Look for the following files and delete them. 

   cert8.db - obselete file
   key3.db - obselete file
   pkcs11.txt (some people report this file missing)
   secmod.db - obselete file
   session.json
   xulstore.json

NOTE: Do NOT delete: 

   key4.db
   cert9.db
   logins.json

Start Thunderbird New pkcs11.txt, session.json, xulstore.json files will get created.

Retry entering password etc at prompt.

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (1)

Roy189
Roy189 Question owner
more options

Chosen Solution

After hours of searching with no joy I have now found a solution below from Toad-Hall (thank you!!!) in this thread: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1379536

It appears that installing Thunderbird 31 first (to import email from Outlook) leaves some files in Thunderbird that stops OAuth2 tokens and cookies etc being saved - I have deleted those files and now all my Gmail accounts are created ok :-)

---

This worked for me:

If you find you keep being asked for password and in : 

   'Menu app icon' > 'Preferences' > 'Privacy & Security '

You discover passwords and cookies are not being saved then do this: 

   Menu app icon > Help > More Troubleshooting Information
   Under 'Application Basics' - Profile Folder - click on 'Open Folder'

This opens a new window showing the contents of your current in use profile name folder. 

   Exit Thunderbird now - this is important.

Look for the following files and delete them. 

   cert8.db - obselete file
   key3.db - obselete file
   pkcs11.txt (some people report this file missing)
   secmod.db - obselete file
   session.json
   xulstore.json

NOTE: Do NOT delete: 

   key4.db
   cert9.db
   logins.json

Start Thunderbird New pkcs11.txt, session.json, xulstore.json files will get created.

Retry entering password etc at prompt.