Is it true that Thunderbird does no longer works well with POP mail servers and only works well with IMAP servers?
Our email host is telling us that our outdated POP mail server doesn't work well with Thunderbird and it the reason we're having sporadic difficulty sending out emails with attachments when using Thunderbird (no problems when sending emails directly from the email host's web portal and bypassing Thunderbird). We'll often get notification when using Thunderbird and trying to attach PDF'd documents to an email that "Sending of message failed. The message could not be sent because the connection to SMTP server timed out." The email host company is advising that this problem will be solved if we upgrade from the free POP email to the not free IMAP email. True? Or are they just using this Thunderbird problem as an excuse to sign us up for unnecessary services?
All Replies (2)
I think they are using this as an excuse.
Messages are sent via SMTP. Both, POP and IMAP are protocols to receive mail. In any case, it would be their 'outdated POP mail server', not yours.
Check this article for troubleshooting the problem. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/cannot-send-messages
When you use the web mail page you are bypassing THEIR outdated, problematic SMTP server. POP and IMAP are for receiving and have nothing to do with sending. I would find an honest email provider that knows what they are talking about and does not try to con you out of your money.