Thunderbird repeatedly crashes when I try to start, even in SAFE mode. CAUSED by BitDefender
After the update to 68.2.2, I started getting a crash when I start Thunderbird. I updated to 68.3.0 and didn't get a crash. Then, when I restarted Thunderbird, it crashed. I did a reinstall - then didn't get a crash. But everytime I terminated Thunderbird, I had to do a reinstall - and Thunderbird would start up okay. Then, more recently, even a reinstall would cause a crash. SAFE mode crashes. I even uninstalled and reinstalled and got a crash. I must comment - this is all using my original profile. A clean install without setting up any accounts works fine, so somehow it's connected to my profile. I have been limping along without Thunderbird for a few weeks (because I've been too busy to even complain) but now need to fix this problem. I can't get to any of my old emails stored in Thunderbird. This will happen anytime .. cold boot, restart, hibernation start .. anything. Multiple crash reports have been sent but no-one has contacted me. What suggestions does anyone have? I am running on Windows 10 with BitDefender security software.
Modified by Wayne Mery
Chosen solution
The problem has "gone away". I am operating fine with Thunderbird 68.4.1 (32 bit). Somebody (Mozilla or BitDefender) fixed something along the way. Thanks for all the help here.
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Bitdefender has caused numerous crashes recently. See these posts for the remedy:
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1275164#answer-1276085
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1271948#answer-1278361
Turning off BitDefender seems to have solved the problem, but I had to reinstall my previous version of Thunderbird to get access to my emails. Now, I have to upgrade again - and will probably run into the same problem. I'll have to figure out what the issue is. I was all the way back on 52.3.0. I don't know what in BitDefender is causing the problem yet, but I'm making progress. Thank you, sfhowes.
The bitdefender just before Christmas appears to be the killer. There have been reports of it killing Thunderbird 60 as well.
The second last comment in the bug offers some advice to Bitdefender changes. https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1591787
Modified by Wayne Mery
RCATech
https://forum.bitdefender.com/index.php?/topic/81641-latest-update-breaks-thunderbird/&do=findComment&comment=293676 describes a process to submit information to the vendor, information then need to diagnose the problem.
If you can give them that information it would be very helpful.
RCATech - sounds like you might be technically oriented? :)
Were you able to submit information to bitdefender?
Wayne Merry - Yes, I am technically oriented since 1966. Somehow, my problem seems to have gone away. I backed up to Thunderbird 52.3.0 (as that's the last version I had before upgrading). Then Mozilla upgraded me to 60.9.1 (32 bit). This has been running fine for me so I haven't tried going any further. Maybe it was going back .. maybe it was 32-bit (I think I had tried 64-bit for 68.3.0) .. maybe BitDefender did something. I haven't had time to figure it out. I didn't contact Bit Defender, but will work on this next week. I'll post an update then.
Thanks. Apparently they need details about why BitDefender is causing this.
Chosen Solution
The problem has "gone away". I am operating fine with Thunderbird 68.4.1 (32 bit). Somebody (Mozilla or BitDefender) fixed something along the way. Thanks for all the help here.
We are looking for updated information.
When using newer versions, do you see a problem if you enable the features of Bitdefender which caused your problems? Please create a new topic https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/new/thunderbird/form and put Bitdefender in the title. Thanks