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Thunderbird updated, now won't open except in safe mode.

  • 16 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 3 views
  • Paskiausią atsakymą parašė Contontos

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I got one of those typical Thunderbird update notices yesterday, asking if I want to install this update now, or something like that. It finished by saying Thunderbird has to restart and did I want to restart now. I said yes, and Thunderbird hasn't opened since. It only opens if I hold the 'shift' button for safe mode - and even then only after I go into Windows (Vista) Task Manager / Processes, and end any processes with the name "Thunderbird" if any.

I got one of those typical Thunderbird update notices yesterday, asking if I want to install this update now, or something like that. It finished by saying Thunderbird has to restart and did I want to restart now. I said yes, and Thunderbird hasn't opened since. It only opens if I hold the 'shift' button for safe mode - and even then only after I go into Windows (Vista) Task Manager / Processes, and end any processes with the name "Thunderbird" if any.

Chosen solution

Lightning should work just fine, but something may be broken in your profile. Uninstalling Lightning would be a temporary workaround if your're willing to continue troubleshooting the problem. Up to you.

You can uninstall Lightning via the Add-on Manger. Tools (Alt-T) - Add-ons - Extensions Press 'Remove'.

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All Replies (16)

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Do you get any error message? Did you kill thunderbird.exe in task manager prior to attempting to start it?

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There's no error message. Just doesn't open. It will only open two ways: 1.) If I haven't tried to open it since last reboot it will open in safe mode. Or... 2.) If I've tried and failed to open, I must end Thunderbird process in Task Manager/Processes, then it will open in safe mode.

FWIW, I've noticed that before I end the thunderbird.exe process, it continues growing in size by a few kb per second - indefinitely, as near as I can tell. Thanks for your interest.

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Can you post your Troubleshooting Information? Help (Alt-H) - Troubleshooting Information

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Application Basics

Modified by Contontos

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Safe mode disables any extensions you have installed. Your only extension is Lightning, the Thunderbird calendar add-on. Did you use Lightning before? It ships with Thunderbird as of Thunderbird 38, but if you don't need it, you can safely uninstall it.

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Then I probably need to uninstall it. Prior to this the only serious problem I've ever had with Thunderbird involved Lightning. I used and enjoyed that at one time, but it hanged on me and.... Come to think of it, what's happening now was the result then.

I wish I could use Lightning, but apparently it's the culprit. Anyway, these days I'm making do with Windows Calendar, so, how do I uninstall Lightning?

Thanks in advance.

Modified by Contontos

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Chosen Solution

Lightning should work just fine, but something may be broken in your profile. Uninstalling Lightning would be a temporary workaround if your're willing to continue troubleshooting the problem. Up to you.

You can uninstall Lightning via the Add-on Manger. Tools (Alt-T) - Add-ons - Extensions Press 'Remove'.

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If I could make Lightning work, I'd be thrilled. What should I do?

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The first thing I'd try is to uninstall Lightning via Add-on Manager. Then download it from AMO and follow the instructions to install it again. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/lightning/

What calendar(s) do you have - local or network?

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Been trying to find how to uninstall via add-ons mgr. ....

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Tools|Add-ons

Select Lightning

Click "Remove".

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I missed the "extensions" step. Got it. Lightning removed - Thunderbird opens normally.

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Okay, that was a fruitful experiment in that I now know my Thunderbird has to be opened in safe mode if Lightning is installed.

I re-uninstalled Lightning and now Thunderbird opens normally again. Apparently a relationship between Lightning and me isn't meant to be.

Thanks for the help.

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As previously suggested you can try to install it again and see if it's getting any better then.

Modified by christ1

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I probably didn't make clear enough that I did the reinstall. That was the experiment. All it did was disable Thunderbird anew, which led me to speculate that perhaps a relationship between Lightning and me isn't meant to be.