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Fix Thunderbird Not Downloading New Messages Issue

  author
Rollins Duke   
Published: November 25th, 2024 • 6 Min Read

Are you facing Thunderbird not downloading new messages issues? If yes, then this article is crafted for you. There are various home users, non-profit organizations, and small businesses that prefer to use Thunderbird as their default email client because it is open-source. But sometimes they start encountering issues like; Thunderbird not getting new messages. However, this problem occurs due to various reasons. In this article, we have discussed the methods and also looked at the reasons behind easily simplifying them. So start reading the article to find the best tips and tricks to instantly start downloading the new emails in your Thunderbird account.

Facing issues with Thunderbird is quite common and you are not alone in this. This common problem arises due to incorrect account settings, outdated software, or server-related glitches. Whether you are a normal Thunderbird user or a professional one, understanding the root cause is important.  If your Thunderbird has stopped downloading messages and you are seeking a solution to resolve this problem. Then you can continue to learn from this blog post and get several suggestions to resolve this issue including manual and professional.

Table of Content Hide
  1. Why Thunderbird Not Downloading New Messages?
  2. Manual Ways to Fix Thunderbird Not Getting New Messages
  3. Pro Ways to Fix Thunderbird Not Receiving Messages
  4. Common Queries and Responses
  5. To Wrap Up

Why is Thunderbird Not Downloading New Messages?

If your Thunderbird not getting new messages, there could be several potential reasons as mentioned below:

  • Server Down Problems:

Sometimes email account that you have configured with Thunderbird, may have server-down problems. Hence, if the configured account’s server is down then Thunderbird disables downloading messages.

  • Incorrect Account Settings:

If users want to change account configuration settings for various reasons and use the wrong server/ account settings by mistake, they can’t receive emails on Thunderbird.

  • Thunderbird Corruption:

Various times Thunderbird email clients may be crashed for multiple reasons. Hence, if your Thunderbird crashed and stopped retrieving emails then you need to repair corrupt Thunderbird profiles immediately.

  • Storage Limit:

Sometimes Thunderbird says the inbox is full and cannot receive email because of maximum quota limits. Then, you need to empty some unnecessary data from the Thunderbird client.

Recommended: Know Why Is Thunderbird So Slow

Manual Ways to Fix Thunderbird Not Getting New Messages

Several manual tips and tricks are available to fix problems if Thunderbird not downloading new messages issues. You can check Thunderbird’s internal and external settings for troubleshooting this problem.

Fix 1: Check Account Settings to Fix Thunderbird Not Downloading Emails

In many cases, Thunderbird shows such errors, when your account settings are not as per the requirements. However, to simplify it can reset these settings and fix Thunderbird not downloading new messages problem.

  1. Launch the Thunderbird client on your computer.
  2. Choose Tools and then select Account Settings.
  3. Check and edit server details, port number, and security settings.
  4. Check your settings match your email provider’s instructions.
  5. Save Thunderbird settings and check if start getting new emails.

Fix 2: Basic Instructions to Fix Thunderbird Does Not Download New Messages

There are also a few basic instructions that may help you to fix Thunderbird not downloading new messages problems.

  1. Update your Thunderbird client to the latest edition. Select Help and then choose About Thunderbird. After that, Thunderbird will check for updates and will show you whether Thunderbird is up to date or not.
  2. If you are facing server issues, then please contact your email hosting provider and explain your problem. After that wait to fix server issues and then check whether your problem is resolved or not.
  3. Temporarily disable your firewall and antivirus programs and restart Thunderbird. After that, restart your Thunderbird programs and check whether your problem is fixed or not.
  4. Configure a new account in your Thunderbird to resolve Thunderbird not getting new messages problem by choosing Tools >> Account Settings >> Account Actions >> Add Mail Account. After that enter your account credentials and configure with Thunderbird.

Fix 3: Delete Global Database to Fix Thunderbird Not Downloading New Emails

  1. Quit your Thunderbird client.
  2. Go to Thunderbird profile default storage location.
  3. Open a profile that is creating problems in retrieving emails.
  4. Select global-messages-db.sqlite file and delete it.
  5. Restart your Thunderbird to initiate re-indexing global database.
  6. Please wait while re-creating the global-messages-db.sqlite file.

Note: If you want to check the real-time indexing process then choose the Tools > Activity Manager option.

Fix 4: Force Download to Solve Thunderbird Not Downloading New Messages

  1. Launch Thunderbird desktop client.
  2. After that, select Tools >> Account Settings.
  3. Next, choose the Synchronization & Storage option.
  4. Enable Keep messages in all folders for this account on this computer.
  5. Select the Advanced button and force download emails in Thunderbird.
  6. Tap the OK button to start downloading new messages in Thunderbird.

Read Next: Learn How to Open PDF Files in Thunderbird

Professional Solutions to Fix Thunderbird Not Receiving Messages

BitRecover software company developed multiple tools that can help in resolving queries like Thunderbird not downloading new messages. We are suggesting different applications, you can choose any according to your needs and situation.

Thunderbird Converter Wizard permits you to convert Thunderbird profile data in multiple formats so later you can use converted data with Thunderbird as well as other email services. This software has various saving options so utilize it to resolve Thunderbird not getting new messages issues.

Fix Thunderbird not downloading new messages

Thunderbird Backup Wizard is authorized to download Thunderbird profile data in several standard formats and email services and save them wherever you want, without facing any trouble. So first use this software to download your data and then re-use the resultant data with Thunderbird as well as other email programs.

Thunderbird not getting new messages

Common Queries and Responses

Q 1: Where can I find global-messages-db.sqlite file in Thunderbird because I want to re-create it?

Go to the default storage location i.e. C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\. After that, open the profile folder and get the global-messages-db.sqlite file.

Q 2: Why is Thunderbird not downloading emails?

There could be various reasons behind Thunderbird not downloading new messages:

  • Server problems
  • Wrong account settings
  • Crashed Thunderbird
  • Corrupted profile
  • Antivirus programs
  • Exceed storage limit

Q 3: How can I remove an email account from Thunderbird?

  1. Run the Thunderbird email client on your machine.
  2. Choose Tools and then select Account Settings.
  3. Then, choose Account Actions >> Remove Account.
  4. Enable the required option and tap the Remove button.

To Wrap Up

Above we have explained complete guidance to fix Thunderbird not downloading new messages issues. You can try above mentioned manual and professional ways to resolve Thunderbird not getting new messages problems. Users face different types of challenges so you may need to follow different methods accordingly. We provide 24-hour technical support for your clients, so you can feel free to connect with us.