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

Protonmail stopped functioning with Thunderbird

  • 3 replies
  • 0 have this problem
  • 14 views
  • Last reply by gp

more options

On 22DEC2022, I installed Protonmail (a paid account with the Proton Bridge) on my HP laptop (Windows 10). I was able to configure Thunderbird to send and receive messages. I previously used Thunderbird with a Gmail account for a long time with no issues other than slow speed (rural area, wireless Internet only, Android pad used as hotspot when working online). On 24DEC2022 I organized my Protonmail account from inside the web version by adding a number of folders. I have since been unable to send, receive, or update my Protonmail account in Thunderbird. I have received an error message "no such API" a few times. I have checked my passwords, certificate exception, Bridge settings. Both Gmail and Protonmail are located in the same Thunderbird window. Gmail loads immediately, Protonmail only loads messages up to 24DEC. I have deleted and reinstalled the Protonmail account with no change. My Windows 10 mail application also loads messages up to 24DEC, making me think it's a Proton issue. I have contacted Protonmail support and tried some of their suggestions with no luck. The web version, Android version, and iPhone versions all work fine. I am very limited with technical knowledge on this level. I would appreciate any suggestions but in as simple terms as possible, please! Thank you! P.S. By the way, I am in New York State, USA, if it makes any difference.

On 22DEC2022, I installed Protonmail (a paid account with the Proton Bridge) on my HP laptop (Windows 10). I was able to configure Thunderbird to send and receive messages. I previously used Thunderbird with a Gmail account for a long time with no issues other than slow speed (rural area, wireless Internet only, Android pad used as hotspot when working online). On 24DEC2022 I organized my Protonmail account from inside the web version by adding a number of folders. I have since been unable to send, receive, or update my Protonmail account in Thunderbird. I have received an error message "no such API" a few times. I have checked my passwords, certificate exception, Bridge settings. Both Gmail and Protonmail are located in the same Thunderbird window. Gmail loads immediately, Protonmail only loads messages up to 24DEC. I have deleted and reinstalled the Protonmail account with no change. My Windows 10 mail application also loads messages up to 24DEC, making me think it's a Proton issue. I have contacted Protonmail support and tried some of their suggestions with no luck. The web version, Android version, and iPhone versions all work fine. I am very limited with technical knowledge on this level. I would appreciate any suggestions but in as simple terms as possible, please! Thank you! P.S. By the way, I am in New York State, USA, if it makes any difference.

All Replies (3)

more options

I would say you have issues with the bridge software. Proton support should be your port of call for help with it. While they call it a bridge, it is really an IMAP mail server locally installed and that is how Thunderbird sees it. There is nothing simplistic about the code used in the bridge.

The proton folk publish the source of the bridge here. https://github.com/ProtonMail/proton-bridge/issues

I have linked to their open issues page, just in case that offers you some insight into your issue.

more options

Thank you for your response. The problem has been solved, at least, for now. After several conversations with the Proton team, Thunderbird started interfacing properly with Protonmail. The issue is, I'm not exactly sure why. As stated before, I have very limited technical knowledge of these problems. One thing I did was to modify my Windows firewall settings, allowing private networks as well as public. I'll be happy as long as it works, whatever the reason.

more options

earl2910riley said

One thing I did was to modify my Windows firewall settings, allowing private networks as well as public.

That looks very much like the thing that fixed it, because the fake Imap server installed by the provider's software is probably on a private local network.