![Thunderbird logo](https://assets-prod.sumo.prod.webservices.mozgcp.net/media/uploads/products/2024-02-12-07-36-53-599028_1.png)
Thunderbird will not connect to aol.com mail server after upgrade to v 68.6.0
Using AVG Internet Security updated to Release Feb 20, 2020 v 20.1.3112 build 20.1.5069.559 Installed Windows 10 update 2020-03 March 12, 2020—KB4551762 (OS Builds 18362.720 and 18363.720) on 3/14/2020. 3/14/2020 is the last email I could recover with Thunderbird 68.6.0
Keep getting "Login to server imap.aol.com with username tas1spider@aol.com failed" message using correct password
Chosen solution
I noticed the Authentication method setting was "OAuth2".
That would be correct for an AOL/Yahoo IMAP account.
I tried to setup v 68.6.0 with Authentication method "Normal password" and "Encrypted password".
Whether "Normal password" works out of the box I don't know. Verizon/AOL/Yahoo have been ramping up their security requirements and you may need to turn on 2-step authentication when not using OAuth2 authentication. Then for Thunderbird you'd also need to create an app password.
"Encrypted password" won't work with AOL/Yahoo.
Read this answer in context 👍 1All Replies (4)
Uninstalled Thunderbird v68.6.0 and reinstalled Thunderbird v68.5.0 the problem disappeared. Would someone in the project take a look at the AOL mail server connection problem in v 68.6.0.
My best guess would be the problem is more related to AVG than to Thunderbird. Since you already downgraded TB no more troubleshooting can be done.
May have found the problem. When I reloaded Thunderbird v 68.5.0; I noticed the Authentication method setting was "OAuth2". I tried to setup v 68.6.0 with Authentication method "Normal password" and "Encrypted password". Why the upgrade changed the setting I do not know.
Chosen Solution
I noticed the Authentication method setting was "OAuth2".
That would be correct for an AOL/Yahoo IMAP account.
I tried to setup v 68.6.0 with Authentication method "Normal password" and "Encrypted password".
Whether "Normal password" works out of the box I don't know. Verizon/AOL/Yahoo have been ramping up their security requirements and you may need to turn on 2-step authentication when not using OAuth2 authentication. Then for Thunderbird you'd also need to create an app password.
"Encrypted password" won't work with AOL/Yahoo.