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.

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

After re-install, when I "reply" the sender's text is in ASCII plain text, regardless of settings.

  • 6 replies
  • 8 have this problem
  • 6 views
  • Last reply by vickilh2

more options

I was having trouble with Thunderbird, so I re-installed it. (Version 38.2.0) I've been using TB for years, usually without any problem. But this time, after re-install, -- when I "reply" the sender's text is in ASCII plain text, regardless of settings. And the plain text is bright blue!

I want to preserve the (usual) HTML format of the sender's email when I reply. My settings specify HTML format.

I don't want to use TB with this 'disability' -- help! Thanks!

I was having trouble with Thunderbird, so I re-installed it. (Version 38.2.0) I've been using TB for years, usually without any problem. But this time, after re-install, -- when I "reply" the sender's text is in ASCII plain text, regardless of settings. And the plain text is bright blue! I want to preserve the (usual) HTML format of the sender's email when I reply. My settings specify HTML format. I don't want to use TB with this 'disability' -- help! Thanks!

Chosen solution

I do not see where you checked the compositions and addressing setting for your account. For all accounts for that matter.

Read this answer in context 👍 2

All Replies (6)

more options

Do you have plain text selected in the recipients address book entry? Do you have any add-ons?

more options

Hi Matt, - I'm not sure what you mean by "plain text selected in the recipients address book entry". I looked around in the address book, and in some recipients' entries, but didn't see a selection for 'plain text'.

In my Options > Composition > General > Send options, I have HTML selected.

This is happening to ANY email I reply to (i.e., all entries in the address book).

Again, this is happening only to the sender's email text when I do a reply. I've attached part of a screen shot of an email I did a "Reply" to.

This is not happening if I use SeaMonkey, and this never happened before.

My addons: Lightning, GContactSync, and Restartless Restart.

Thanks!

more options

vickilh2 said

Hi Matt, - I'm not sure what you mean by "plain text selected in the recipients address book entry". I looked around in the address book, and in some recipients' entries, but didn't see a selection for 'plain text'.

The unknown.

In my Options > Composition > Gene Send options, I have HTML selected.

There is also a per account entry. Right click the account on the folder pane, select settings. and then composition and addressing for the account.

This is happening to ANY email I reply to (i.e., all entries in the address book). Again, this is happening only to the sender's email text when I do a reply. I've attached part of a screen shot of an email I did a "Reply" to.

That probably indicates reply to is replying from a different account that your default.

more options

I changed the setting to make Thunderbird my default mail client. Restarted TB, -- no change.

Checked account settings -- Gmail (on top) in bold IS my default email account.

I went to address book and changed the "Unknown" to HTML for a few entries, initiated a Reply to an email of theirs, - no change.

HOWEVER -- I tried replying with my 2nd, non-default email account. No bright blue sender text! I tried making this account the default but TB refused to do that, kept Gmail the default.

Hmmm. Very odd! I didn't change any settings in my Gmail account.

Thank you!

more options

Chosen Solution

I do not see where you checked the compositions and addressing setting for your account. For all accounts for that matter.

more options

OMG - you've done it! Somehow the "Compose msgs in html format" got unchecked. I've never paid any attention to that.

Thank you so much for your help and perseverance!!!