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Forgot my Thunderbird Email Password

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Please advise is there a way to reset a password in Thunderbird Email? I have forgot my password and I can't access my emails... Please advise if you can help.

Please advise is there a way to reset a password in Thunderbird Email? I have forgot my password and I can't access my emails... Please advise if you can help.

Solution eye eponami

Hi, I think you are right, it looks like I probably forgot to set up 'Leave messages on server" when I set up hotmail last year on my new desktop I purchased 12 months ago. That being said I have returned to Thunderbird for my emails and I am very happy with that as my primary email account. Thank you for all your help, I would not got this far without your help and assistance so again thank you for your time it is greatly appreciated.... Case closed Derek

Tanga eyano oyo ndenge esengeli 👍 0

All Replies (15)

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All Thunderbird does is remember and use the last valid password. If password for account has changed, thunderbird cannot assist. If you wish to view the saved password, click to settings>privacy&security and click savedpasswords and then showpasswords. you may be asked then to enter your OS's password prior to viewing them. That password will not work, however, if you are receivng message that password is incorrect.

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Hi David, Thank you for your assist, I had already found my way to view my saved password but that is not letting me sign in. i changed my password on Microsoft Outlook the host of my password and it changed the password in Thunderbird but still no access. I am at a loss, originally I found my password but it stopped letting me sign in then I changed it at Microsoft (Hotmail) and it still will no let me sign in and the issue is all my folders are in Thunderbird and I don't want to lose them if I go back to Outlook unless you know how to import the folders... Thanks Derek

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I do not know how MS could update your password in Thunderbird unless you responded to a prompt and that worked. But, try this: - click to settings>privacy&security, click savedpasswords and showpasswords and delete the rows for the account. that should eliminate the password on the account and you should now be prompted.

Also, check that your settings match this:

- incoming: outlook.office365.com, port 993, SSL/TLS, Oauth2 (assuming IMAP) - outgoing: smtp.office365.com, port 587, STARTTLS, Oauth2

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Hi David, Thank you for your response, No joy I had already tried this and now I given up on Thunderbird. I have activated my Outlook and I will stay with that for my email. Thanks again very much appreciated Thank you... Derek

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Hi Derek.....Any help you can offer to see what going on will seriously help as there are others will similar issues and we are trying to find out what is going on.

1. Have you got the 2FA switched on in webmail account - did you create app specific password or not? 2. In Thunderbird, did you do this - 'Settings' > 'Privacy & Security' under WEb Content select 'Acept cookies from sites'  ? 3. Did you click on 'Exceptions' and add all the various sites such as outlook.com, live.com, hotmail.com and office365.com ? 4. Did you delete all stored passwords including oauth for the hotmail/oulook account ? 5. Do you have any program that uses 'localhost' eg: 'Apache Xampp' - if yes, you need to switch it off until oauth is set up ?

i changed my password on Microsoft Outlook the host of my password and it changed the password in Thunderbird but still no access. I am at a loss, originally I found my password but it stopped letting me sign in then I changed it at Microsoft (Hotmail)

According to Microsoft - all accounts now use the same server data and password - So, I'm assuming when you say 'Microsoft Outlook the host of my password' you mean your 'Microsoft Account password' - is that correct ? Then you say ' I changed it at Microsoft (Hotmail)' - so did you set the hotmail account password to be exactly the same as your Microsoft account password ? If no then it must be set the same.

Microsoft says: https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/office/how-to-sign-in-to-hotmail-c378938b-c0eb-40c1-b99e-338dd9e776a8 Can't sign in to Hotmail or Outlook.com? Notes: Your Hotmail or Outlook.com password is the same as your Microsoft Account password.

In Thunderbird After checking all set up correctly and also deleteing all saved passwords for hotmail/outlook.... Did you restart Thunderbird and then get the prompt to enter password in a Microsoft window ? Did you enter the new microsoft account/hotmail password you set up ? Did it then go to a new window and prompt you to click on 'Accept' to allow thunderbird access ?

If issue :

  • Tools > Developer Tools > Error Console
  • Clear Error Console using top left bin icon.
  • Close Error Console
  • Restart Thunderbird.
  • Allow time to synch and get mail -
  • Do you get incoming mail ?
  • then attempt send

Open Error console Expand any errors so all info is seen Please post an image Or copy paste all the data and post info in forum.

Your help really is appreciated. Many thanks.

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Toad-Hall, Thank you for detailed response, my initial question are you on the payroll of Motzilla Support or are you a knowledgeable Motzilla User ho helps people like me... Derek

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Just another user like you. I've been using Thunderbird since the dark ages and not too bad at knowing a decent amount about it. I offer my free time as a volunteer helping in this Suport Forum and also with Bugs. So no not an employee, just happy to help others.

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Toad-Hall, Thank you for the detailed information, I am afraid most of it went over my head. I read your comments a number of times and it still was over my head. Allow me to explain my issue for the sake of clarity. I booted up my desktop and was opening up Thunderbird when there was a power outage. The power was out for about two hours and when I tried to sign in to Thunderbird it would not accept my password. Under Settings > Privacy & Security I was able to locate my saved password.

I tried to sign it with my saved password but again Thunderbird would not accept my password, I then changed my Outlook password at Hotmail.com and then in Thunderbird under Settings > Privacy & Security I deleted my saved password. I closed Thunderbird and when I accessed Thunderbird this time I typed in my new password from Outlook as requested and again it would not accept my password.

Outlook is accepting my password but Thunderbird will not accept my password. I even went back into Thunderbird under Settings > Privacy & Security to check if Thunderbird had saved my new and it had.

If you are able to help it would be greatly appreciated but you may have to explain in greater detail so I can understand... Thank You Derek

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If you do not know what 2 factor authentication is then I'm presuming you have not set it up. It is something you would have set up whilst logged onto the webmail outlook/hotmail account.

For webmail via browser - Your Microsoft account password and your hotmail account password must be identical. So please double check password is the same for both.

Cookies must be enabled. In Settings > Privacy & Security

  • Under 'Web Content'
  • Select 'Accept cookies from sites'
  • Accept third party cookies - select 'Always'

In same area.... In Settings > Privacy & Security - in 'Saved Passwords'... You would need to remove all saved passwords for the hotmail/outlook accounts.

I do not know what server settings you have in the hotmail mail account so it would be useful to know them. I also have no idea whether you have a pop or imap mail account. Microsoft - being the pain it is - has recently altered the authentication method. I do not know if you have aleady done this or not.

You need to be using: If POP

  • Server name: outlook.office365.com,
  • port 995
  • Connection Security: SSL/TLS
  • Authentication Method: Oauth2
  • User name : full hotmail email address

If IMAP - looks the same but he port is different

  • Server name: outlook.office365.com,
  • port 993
  • Connection Security: SSL/TLS
  • Authentication Method: Oauth2
  • User name : full hotmail email address

outgoing SMTP:

  • server name: smtp.office365.com,
  • port 587
  • Connection Security: STARTTLS
  • Authentication Method: Oauth2
  • User name : full hotmail email address


When you have checked the server settings .... Please post the following information as it will tell me if you are using the latest settings. In Thunderbird

  • Help > Troubleshooting Information
  • Scroll down to 'Mail and News Accounts' section
  • Copy all the data in that section and paste it into this forum question.


After removing passwords and checking you have the correct server settings.... restart Thunderbird

You should get a Microsoft pop up window asking for password, (that is the same password you have got set in the Microsft account and the hotmail webmail) when you click on 'Sign in' it should take you to another screen where it asks you to allow Thunderbird access - click on 'Accept'.

This should add an oauth token and it's saved in the same place as the passwords.

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Toad-HallOct 8, 2024, 12:01:50 AM If you do not know what 2 factor authentication is then I'm presuming you have not set it up. It is something you would have set up whilst logged onto the webmail outlook/hotmail account. For webmail via browser - Your Microsoft account password and your hotmail account password must be identical. So please double check password is the same for both.

(It would seem both my hotmail account and Microsoft account have the same password).

Cookies must be enabled. In Settings > Privacy & Security Under 'Web Content' Select 'Accept cookies from sites' (Done) Accept third party cookies - select 'Always' (Done) In same area.... In Settings > Privacy & Security - in 'Saved Passwords'... You would need to remove all saved passwords for the hotmail/outlook accounts. (Done)

I do not know what server settings you have in the hotmail mail account so it would be useful to know them. I also have no idea whether you have a pop or imap mail account. Microsoft - being the pain it is - has recently altered the authentication method. I do not know if you have aleady done this or not. You need to be using: If POP Server name: outlook.office365.com, port 995 Connection Security: SSL/TLS Authentication Method: Oauth2 User name : full hotmail email address (All Correct) If IMAP - looks the same but he port is different Server name: outlook.office365.com, port 993 Connection Security: SSL/TLS Authentication Method: Oauth2 User name : full hotmail email address (All Correct) outgoing SMTP: server name: smtp.office365.com, port 587 Connection Security: STARTTLS Authentication Method: Oauth2 User name : full hotmail email address (All Correct)

When you have checked the server settings .... Please post the following information as it will tell me if you are using the latest settings. In Thunderbird Help > Troubleshooting Information Scroll down to 'Mail and News Accounts' section Copy all the data in that section and paste it into this forum question.

Mail and News Accounts ID Incoming server Outgoing servers Name Connection security Authentication method Name Connection security Authentication method Default? account1 (imap) outlook.office365.com:993 SSL/TLS Normal password smtp.office365.com:993 SSL/TLS OAuth2 true account2 (none) Local Folders None Normal password (Sorry For Word Soup)

After removing passwords and checking you have the correct server settings.... restart Thunderbird (Restarted Thunderbird)

You should get a Microsoft pop up window asking for password, (that is the same password you have got set in the Microsft account and the hotmail webmail) when you click on 'Sign in' ( After I entered my password the next screen message said I had failed)

it should take you to another screen where it asks you to allow Thunderbird access - click on 'Accept'.

This should add an oauth token and it's saved in the same place as the passwords. (It did not take me to the screen above)

I hope this makes sense to you, and thanks for your help so far... Derek

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The exact words were: Login to server outlook.office365.com with username failed I hope this helps Derek

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You said the server settings were correct, If IMAP - looks the same but he port is different

  • Server name: outlook.office365.com,
  • port 993
  • Connection Security: SSL/TLS
  • Authentication Method: Oauth2
  • User name : full hotmail email address

(All Correct)

then you posted the Mail and News Accoount information which says they are not correct.

(imap) outlook.office365.com:993 SSL/TLS Normal password smtp.office365.com:993 SSL/TLS OAuth2 true

You do not have the correct server settings for the incoming.

In 'Account Settings' Select 'Server Settings' for the account The 'Authentication Method' needs to be 'Oauth2'

Then restart Thunderbird.

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Hi,

Finally, I am almost there, and let me thank you for getting me this far. I would not have got this far without your help which has been awesome... So thank you so much. My Thunderbird is now accepting emails in my in-box which is fantastic.

I have one remaining issue though, my Thunderbird email folders have returned but they are empty shells. I was expecting the folders to have their contents (i.e saved emails).

Are you able to offer assistance in restoring the missing saved emails with the folders?

Thanks Derek

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re :my Thunderbird email folders have returned but they are empty shells.

You have an imap Mail and News Accoount information : (imap) outlook.office365.com:993

Imap folders synchronise with server folders to show exactly the same as seen in webmail account.

Logon to your hotmail webmail account using a browser to see what is on the server. If nothing on server then there will be nothing in an imap mail account.

I noticed in an earlier comment you said you had given up on Thunderbird and activated your Outlook.

IF you Logon to webmail account and it is empty - then my next question is this.... In Outlook did you create a POP mail account ? If yes, then it looks like you forgot to set up 'Leave messages on server', so when you downloaded all the emails into Pop account in Outlook email client, you got them all deleted off the server.

So now the question is this - Did you originally have a Pop mail account in Thunderbird ?

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Solution eye oponami

Hi, I think you are right, it looks like I probably forgot to set up 'Leave messages on server" when I set up hotmail last year on my new desktop I purchased 12 months ago. That being said I have returned to Thunderbird for my emails and I am very happy with that as my primary email account. Thank you for all your help, I would not got this far without your help and assistance so again thank you for your time it is greatly appreciated.... Case closed Derek

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Tuna motuna

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