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Thunderbird slow and freezing with an error message

  • 6 replies
  • 5 have this problem
  • 5 views
  • Last reply by christ1

GhostwriterJG
GhostwriterJG
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For the last few months, Thunderbird often gets really slow and/or freezes with error messages about chrome://messenger. First, I'm not using Chrome, so I don't know what that means. This is the error I just got:

chrome://messenger/content/chat/imStatusSelector.js:42

I'm on Windows 10, I use AVG (I know McAfee causes problems with Thunderbird)... not sure what else to say.

For the last few months, Thunderbird often gets really slow and/or freezes with error messages about chrome://messenger. First, I'm not using Chrome, so I don't know what that means. This is the error I just got: chrome://messenger/content/chat/imStatusSelector.js:42 I'm on Windows 10, I use AVG (I know McAfee causes problems with Thunderbird)... not sure what else to say.

All Replies (6)

user1121639
user1121639
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There is a known problem with Windows Search in Windows 10 causing freeze-ups in Thunderbird. To fix this:

Thunderbird Menu: Options: Advanced section: General tab (If you cannot see the Thunderbird menu, press the Alt key or F10 key on your keyboard to show the menu)

See my screenshot.

Uncheck/disable "Allow Windows Search to search messages"

Quit Thunderbird. Restart Thunderbird.

If you still encounter freeze-ups, we can try more things.

GhostwriterJG
GhostwriterJG Question owner
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Thanks! Just did it. It'll probably take a few days before I know if it worked because it's an intermittent problem. Will check back. :)

GhostwriterJG
GhostwriterJG Question owner
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By the way, why would the error message be about Chrome/messenger?

user1121639
user1121639
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That error may have had nothing to do with your issue.

"imStatusSelector.js" has to do with the Chat functionality in Thunderbird. If you are not having any issues with Chat, then don't worry about it.

GhostwriterJG
GhostwriterJG Question owner
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Didn't work :(

christ1
christ1
  • Top 25 Contributor
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By the way, why would the error message be about Chrome/messenger?

In the context of Thunderbird (and Firefox), the chrome is any visible aspect of a browser aside from the webpages themselves (e.g., toolbars, menu bar, tabs). This should not to be confused with the Google Chrome browser.

In any case, the error has got nothing to do with your problem.

Didn't work :(

Try to start Windows in safe mode with networking enabled. - Win10 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12376/windows-10-start-your-pc-in-safe-mode

Still in Windows safe mode, start Thunderbird in safe mode. - https://support.mozilla.org/kb/safe-mode

Does the problem go away?

AVG is known to causes intermittent Not Responding in Windows 10. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1114834

Modified by christ1