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Thunderbird Windows 10 - SMTP server info for identities is "auto" changed = broken

  • 3 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 18 views
  • Last reply by david

alsmith02
alsmith02
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Thunderbird v115.11.0 on Windows 10 x64

I have six identities / accounts ie. NAME1@cox.net, NAME2@cox.net etc.

In the Account Settings window for NAME1, at the bottom, is "Outgoing Server (SMTP)" for which I use "smtp.mail.yahoo.com (Default)". That's the same on all the identity Account Settings btw.

To the right of that is an "Edit SMTP server..." button which opens a small window. At the bottom of that is an entry for "User Name". For which I enter "NAME1@cox.net".

At first this works fine to send mail from the identity NAME1@cox.net

HOWEVER, when I use the same method to "Edit SMTP server" for NAME2.cox.net... it CHANGES the NAME1 settings made above! So sending mail under that identity no longer works.

Overall, this means that only the last identity that I configure can send mail, because its outgoing SMTP credentials are being automatically stuffed into all the other identities, which prevents them from communicating with Yahoo.

On the surface this looks like a bad bug in TBird but, as usual, I can't find anyone that has the same problem. Those are symptoms of me missing something.

Any ideas of what could be wrong?

Thunderbird v115.11.0 on Windows 10 x64 I have six identities / accounts ie. NAME1@cox.net, NAME2@cox.net etc. In the Account Settings window for NAME1, at the bottom, is "Outgoing Server (SMTP)" for which I use "smtp.mail.yahoo.com (Default)". That's the same on all the identity Account Settings btw. To the right of that is an "Edit SMTP server..." button which opens a small window. At the bottom of that is an entry for "User Name". For which I enter "NAME1@cox.net". At first this works fine to send mail from the identity NAME1@cox.net HOWEVER, when I use the same method to "Edit SMTP server" for NAME2.cox.net... it CHANGES the NAME1 settings made above! So sending mail under that identity no longer works. Overall, this means that only the last identity that I configure can send mail, because its outgoing SMTP credentials are being automatically stuffed into all the other identities, which prevents them from communicating with Yahoo. On the surface this looks like a bad bug in TBird but, as usual, I can't find anyone that has the same problem. Those are symptoms of me missing something. Any ideas of what could be wrong?

Chosen solution

Okay, this is a common mistake when people have more than one account on same email provider. Here are the tips: - The description field is free form and should have a unique identifier for each account. - DO NOT edit it by clicking account pane. Yes, there is a button there to edit it, but that is the curse. - INSTEAD, once on account settings pane, scroll down left side until you see 'Outgoing Servers (SMTP) and click there. - you should see a separate SMTP server for all account. Edit them here, making sure that the description is unique for each, such as showing email address. - now, revisit the account pane for each one and select the desired SMTP server. DO NOT edit it here, as you've already done that. - now, all should work. Let me know if it doesn't. NOTE: the problem you were experiencing is that, if edited from account pane, you actually keep editing the same server and it can go on forever.. :)

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david
david
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Chosen Solution

Okay, this is a common mistake when people have more than one account on same email provider. Here are the tips: - The description field is free form and should have a unique identifier for each account. - DO NOT edit it by clicking account pane. Yes, there is a button there to edit it, but that is the curse. - INSTEAD, once on account settings pane, scroll down left side until you see 'Outgoing Servers (SMTP) and click there. - you should see a separate SMTP server for all account. Edit them here, making sure that the description is unique for each, such as showing email address. - now, revisit the account pane for each one and select the desired SMTP server. DO NOT edit it here, as you've already done that. - now, all should work. Let me know if it doesn't. NOTE: the problem you were experiencing is that, if edited from account pane, you actually keep editing the same server and it can go on forever.. :)

alsmith02
alsmith02 Question owner
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Thanks, I got it working. I then wrote a long, detailed reply here clarifying each of your instructions for possible use by others. And Mozilla support threw a 702 (??) error and lost the whole message.

david
david
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Yikes. That has happened to me on occasion, but thank you for your good intentions. :)