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.

Avatar for Username

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

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

Thunderbird 91.8.0 (64-bit) freezes when attaching pdf Cause: Antivirus product

  • 4 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 122 views
  • Last reply by rich82

rich82
rich82
more options

I've been using Thunderbird for many years. Just recently it has started to freeze/hang when attaching any PDF file; other files attach without a problem. I can open received PDFs without a problem. I've changed the Tools > Preferences > General > Files & Attachments setting for PDF files to "Always Ask", "Adobe Acrobat Reader" and "Foxit PDF Reader" with no improvement. Any suggestions? Thanks.

I've been using Thunderbird for many years. Just recently it has started to freeze/hang when attaching any PDF file; other files attach without a problem. I can open received PDFs without a problem. I've changed the Tools > Preferences > General > Files & Attachments setting for PDF files to "Always Ask", "Adobe Acrobat Reader" and "Foxit PDF Reader" with no improvement. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Modified by Matt

Chosen solution

Perhaps try windows safe mode with networking as see if the hang persists in that mode. My experience is most of these hangs are caused by antivirus products just being to slow in their scanning of files. Given they pay particular attention to PDF and office documents as they are known virus vectors often these issues only affect those file types.

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (4)

gacuxz
gacuxz
more options

Hello rich82. I'm curious can it be that PDF you're trying to attach is trying to attach itself inline, not as a file? I don't know is it possible to attach PDF inline on Thunderbird at all, but this could be the problem. Can't reproduce it on my PC, it's attaching as file for me (see an image). Could you please go to Tools > Preferences > Config Editor and check if (these are mine settings):

  • mail.content_disposition_type is set to 1
  • mail.file_attach_binary is set to false

Also check:

  • pdfjs.disabled is set to true
rich82
rich82 Question owner
more options

gacuxz - Thanks for your prompt response.

The first two parameters were already set as you suggest. The latter was "false", so I changed it to "true", but the problem persists. Any other ideas?

Thanks!

Matt
Matt
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

Chosen Solution

Perhaps try windows safe mode with networking as see if the hang persists in that mode. My experience is most of these hangs are caused by antivirus products just being to slow in their scanning of files. Given they pay particular attention to PDF and office documents as they are known virus vectors often these issues only affect those file types.

rich82
rich82 Question owner
more options

Problem solved. It was the virus scan of PDF files that caused the hang. Thanks to both of you!