https://support.mozilla.org/kb/cannot-receive-messages

You can try reinstalling an earlier version of Thunderbird, but I doubt that will solve the problem.

I cannot find any useful information on the excite website about the correct e-mail server settings to use in external e-mail programs.

I suggest you use try these settings:

POP standard settings: Port number: 995 Connection security: SSL/TLS Authentication method: Normal Password

SMTP standard settings: Port number: 465 Connection security: SSL/TLS Authentication method: Normal Password

Thanks, but that didn't work. My emails were working fine before the auto update. You commented that I could go back to an earlier version, how do I go about that? I don't know what version I had on 12/30/16.

You can try reinstalling an earlier version of Thunderbird,

Installing an old and insecure version with known security vulnerabilities is a bad idea.

I suggest you use try these settings:

There is no point guessing about the server settings. Settings can change on the server, so the OP has to check with excite.com whether the settings in Thunderbird are (still) correct. All the troubleshooting steps are mentioned in the support article linked above. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1152451#answer-948900

If you don't know which version you had before, then you would be purely guessing as to which version to install.

Like I said, even if you install an earlier version, I believe that the problem will still exist. My reasoning for this is that because while the program version update may have triggered the issue, I believe that the update did not cause the issue.

So what I recommend instead is creating a new "account" in Thunderbird for the e-mail address to see if the Thunderbird Mail Account Setup Wizard can determine the correct server settings.

1. First, backup/copy (not move), all your e-mail to a folder or folders under "Local Folders". This is to make sure you don't lose your e-mails. If they are in two different locations, it makes it less likely to lose them both.

2. Thunderbird menu: Tools: Account Settings

3. Click on your current excite account on the left side, and change the "Account Name" at the top on the right side, so it is something else other than your e-mail address. This so that original "account name" can be used in the next steps. Click the OK button

4. Open Account Settings again. On the bottom left, click the "Account Actions" button and choose "Add Mail Account".

5. Go through the steps of setting up the e-mail account again, with the same e-mail address. The "Mail Account Setup" wizard will test for the correct settings.

If it cannot find the correct settings, then you will need to contact excite support to get the correct server settings, since they don't publish them on their website.

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On the other hand, if you want to ignore my advice and try to install an earlier version of Thunderbird, then go here to download an earlier version of Thunderbird to install. Tunnel through the folders to find the numbered version you want, the operating system (win32), and the language you want.

When this doesn't work, don't bother telling me. Just reinstall the latest version again, then follow the instructions I recommend.

Believe it or not, I read and printed out your instructions and decided I would try to create a new account etc. on January 5th since I am leaving for Mississippi on the 4th and didn't want to get so involved before my trip. Well, guess what? I came to shut down my laptop and I started getting emails! I didn't change any parameters, I didn't move any emails, It just started working!!! It fixed itself!! Thanks for your help and your time. I am not too computer literate, but if there is anything I can do for you, just let me know & I will do my best. I didn't try to send any email, but I will try that tomorrow. Art Perrone aperrone@excite.com

This proves that that the problem was with excite, not Thunderbird.

It only proves that the problem was not with Thunderbird.

Having spent 30 years as a telephone company electronics technician, I'm not sure I can see the logic behind the statement that will prove it was not with Thunderbird, but I will accept your conclusion because you are the experts with software. My logic was that everything was working fine until a software update made by Thunderbird tells me to restart my computer. When the computer comes back up, Thunderbird doesn't work BUT going to the excite web site allows me to send and receive, delete and prioritize emails without any problems and when Thunderbird starts working, I'm getting emails from the day it stopped. I just don't see why excite, which did nothing different could have caused my problem and the problem was never reported to excite.. Just my logic, but as I said, I will accept your conclusion as the software experts. Thanks again, Art Perrone

My logic was that everything was working fine until a software update made by Thunderbird tells me to restart my computer.

Thunderbird updates do not require a computer reboot. There must be something else running on your computer which did require a restart, for whatever reason.

I just don't see why excite, which did nothing different could have caused my problem and the problem was never reported to excite..

Neither do I.

The most likely reason IMV is anti-virus/security/firewall software you run, which did block the new Thunderbird version. Another reboot apparently did clear this. It is a common problem with security/firewall software.

By looking through the troubleshooting steps as asked multiple times you'd have ultimately stumbled across that point. I don't know if that was too difficult to do or too much to ask.

I will accept your conclusion because you are the experts with software.

Most people answering questions here are users like you (including myself) volunteering their time to help others.

I did read all steps and I did turn off all security for a short time (which is only windows defender) to see if that was part of problem. It made no difference. I did not see restart computer, I saw restart Thunderbird, but I restarted my computer instead. My mistake. I again thank you for all your help and suggestions. I am very happy that it is working again. Art Perrone