Does webmail still work?

Not sure what you are asking. I can still access my emails online, but can't download them into Thunderbird as I have for years. I have years worth of correspondence and addresses on Thunderbird but can't send or download any emails now.

To diagnose problems with Thunderbird, try one of the following:

• Restart Thunderbird with add-ons disabled (Thunderbird Safe Mode). On the Help menu, click on "Restart with Add-ons Disabled". If Thunderbird works like normal, there is an Add-on or Theme interfering with normal operations. You will need to re-enable add-ons one at a time until you locate the offender.
• Restart the operating system in safe mode with Networking. This loads only the very basics needed to start your computer while enabling an Internet connection. Click on your operating system for instructions on how to start in safe mode: Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, OSX

If safe mode for the operating system fixes the issue, there's other software in your computer that's causing problems. Possibilities include but not limited to: AV scanning, virus/malware, background downloads such as program updates.

Thanks Matt. When I try to restart with add-ons disabled it won't do anything. Attaching screen shot - when click on disable the make changes and restart button turns blue, but then clicking on it won't do anything. When starting in Safe mode, it doesn't connnect. I have a Mac and supposedly safe mode with networking is always enabled.

how about continuing into safe mode, which is what my last reply asked of you.

Continuing safe mode does not do anything different - still can't connect with internet.

So Thunderbird will not connect to the internet in Thunderbird own safe mode... that sounds to me like a firewall issue. Do you have an anti virus / internet security suite? They have been causing havoc on Windows for decades, not mac are getting them and they have not improved significantly.

I haven't installed any. Could they have been added without my knowledge? How would I find them on my computer? I really appreciate your help Matt.

joy2meu said

I have used Thunderbird for 20 years or so and on Monday this week I suddenly started getting a message that it couldn't connect to server - that connection was refused. I also could not send email because connecting to outgoing server failed. Because this is multiple servers, it has to be problem with Thunderbird, but no changed had been made on the day the problem occurred. I believe it updated about a week before, but not at the time of the problem. Please help.

The last time I had this problem it turned out to be Google "Blocking 3rd Party Apps" for security purposes, and I had to go into my various accounts to change permissions on each. I had to ADD Thunderbird to the list of permitted 3rd party apps, in each account I used at Google, for the mail to start coming/going normally again.

Just for laughs ... go to the Web Mail interface at your ISP or other email providers and be SURE that your username and password are still the same ... and that you can get into your accounts THAT Way. (If your accounts have been hacked/hijacked ... you won't have access any more.)

And while you are in there check around the security settings for that account, would ya? If 2 Factor Authentication has been switched on, or 3rd party apps have been blocked for security purposes, you are gonna have this kind of access problems.

IF it IS a Google mail account that's suddenly being bad, PLEASE Read This support Article by Google:

Use IMAP to check Gmail on other email clients (Other email clients = Thunderbird or Outlook or Mail or ???? - Specific instructions for Setting up. Ports and server addresses needed.)

Can you post screen captures of the error messages?

I cannot duplicate this problem at this time ... Please try these suggestions and let me know if any thing worked, OK?

(I might be guilty of this error: In your Gmail IMAP settings, set IMAP to only sync folders with 10,000 emails or fewer. I'm Gonna go toss reams of unwanted newsletters out.)

Haven't had time to try this yet. Tomorrow some time. Thanks.

If that fails, try starting Windows in safe mode

Here is the link for the various Ways to start up your Mac ... According to this: Safe Mode on Mac OS X 10.12 ....

"Start up in Safe Mode (only essential macOS items are started; some features and apps might not work correctly):

Immediately after your Mac starts (some Mac computers play a startup sound), press and hold the Shift key. Release the Shift key when you see the progress indicator."

But I don't know if TB will work properly in Safe Mode on Mac OS X ....

Thunderbird was on my approved apps at Goggle. I don't use windows. When in safe mode I still cannot download or send email. I can click on a link in an email in the inbox and go to the internet - but can't send or download my email.

What exactly is the error message you get?

Could not connect to server imap.gmail.com; the connection was refused.

Could not connect to server pop3.impulse.com; the connection was refused.

Unable to connect. The connection was refused when attempting to contact live.thunderbird.net

The impulse server is my primary - and then I have a gmail address that I download in Thunderbird also. I have no idea why it was trying to connect with live.thunderbird.net

The last is the telling one. The request to live.thunderbird.net will be a HTTPS request for the welcome message. If the server is refusing connections, I am guessing that you have issues with the cyphers / TLS version. Given SSL is actually obsolete and not accepted and TLS replaces it.

Your firewall, or some security software might be the cause of the issue. A fairly common cause on Windows is anti virus programs. Got one of those? They appear to be gaining penetration on the Apple platforms, and causing havoc as long time apple people just don't expect just how invasive they are.

I just tried to ping pop3.impulse.com and it doe not exist. I tried a similar thing here https://www.immuniweb.com/ssl/

They said the IP address was invalid. So perhaps there is more to this. However I know the thunderbird.net address exists and is working.

Sorry, it is pop3.impulse.net - and it definitely exist. I don't use windows- and don't have any antivirus as far as I know. How could I check my computer for anti-virus programs?

I don't know what TLS is, or have any idea how to fix the problem it may be causing. I am pretty ignorant about all this, although I have had an internet presence for 30 year - but don't know much about how it works. Would love to get my Thunderbird working again.

There is a slight chance that your settings changed because your profile got corrupted.

First, Find & then Back up your profile folder: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-thunderbird-stores-user-data#w_profile-location-summary https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-thunderbird-stores-user-data#w_backing-up-a-profile ________________________________________________________________________________________

Then, Create a NEW Profile (You are going to set this new profile up to get your mail, Next). Refer to screenshots, please ...

Click on the "Hamburger Menu" at the far end of the toolbar to open it.

Click on "Help" - 2nd line above the bottom - and the Menu Changes.

Go down to the 5th Line that says "Troubleshooting Information" and click on THAT ... you'll get a window stuffed full of information.

In the first Block of info, titled "Application Basics", Click on the "about: profiles" Link on the Bottom Line "Profiles".

The "Profile Manager" will open. Click the Button that says "Create a new profile". ________________________________________________________________________________________

Now set it up as new email accounts ... For the Google Account follow the Instructions HERE: If You use POP (Or are not sure which you use) read this: Read Gmail messages on other email clients using POP If your Gmail account is IMAP, Follow These instructions: Use IMAP to check Gmail on other email clients

________________________________________________________________________________________

If that does not restore access ... I have nothing else to suggest.

Thanks for your help. I finally called Apple support and they were able to help me stop a proxy that was causing problems. I had to remove Mac cleanup pro and download a security suite from my server also - but finally have Thunderbird working again. Really appreciate the help.