Issues connecting to gmail from Thunderbird?
 

Hi.

I am on Slackware 14.2, 64-bit if it matters. My email is a gmail account. I don't know if this is a Thunderbird-gmail issue, or a Thunderbird-anybody issue. All I know is that in the past couple of weeks, I have been having issues sending emails about 50% of the time. I can go to my terminal and ping smtp.googlemail.com just fine, but Thunderbird can't connect to it. I suppose I should try to telnet 25 to it. And I've had a lot of issues where Thunderbird can send my email, but not the attachment that I'm forwarding to my wife at work. Does anyone know how to fix this? I am trying to run all Slackware-64, 14.2 stable, and I have yet to receive an updated kernel package from slackpkg, although I am capable of building a custom kernel if need be. Would that resolve this issue with gmail?

When I encounter problems such as this, the first things I check are my port settings, logon settings (in Thunderbird for logging into the mail server), and encryption settings, trying the different options one at a time and testing after each change, but, since it works half the time, I can't see how it could be your settings. . . . .

What's most puzzling about this is the sporadic nature of the problem.

For testing purposes, I have two ideas.

When Thunderbird is working, do a traceroute to the mailserver and save the results to a file. When problems occur, repeat, and compare the two files. There might be something happening in between you and Google.

Also, you try testing with Kmail to see whether this is a Thunderbird problem or possibly something bigger.

Good luck.

is your internet connection working otherwise?
have you tested - how?

do you see similar issues when using gmail's web ui?

Try in your google account => security "Allow less secure apps" setting enabled"

The kernel has nothing do do with sending mail. Why would that be your 1st "guess" at the problem? You likely mis-configured either your internet settings, router/modem, Thunderbird or gmail or all.

If you set up 2-factor authentication, you have to generate an "app key" as you password and there are quirks depending if you use pop3 or imap. I've used pop3 for years but its not activated by default (see gmail settings).
References:
https://support.google.com/mail/answer/185833?hl=en
https://support.google.com/mail/answer/78892?hl=en
https://support.google.com/mail/answer/7104828?hl=en
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb...bird-and-gmail

Thunderbird working fine here with gmail on Slackware64-current and Slackware64 14.2. I use IMAP.

I do too. The problem I'm having is when I try to SEND mail.

I understand. No problems here checking or sending mail. I tested this on both Slackware64-current and Slackware64 14.2.
Perhaps you inadvertently misconfigured TBird? Did you set permissions for TBird to use gmail? Firewall issues? Good luck!

I haven't set up an explicit firewall, and I've been using this exact Thunderbird config for years.

Google has ramped up their security settings as of late. It is now more difficult to connect to the gmail servers with some mail applications. Thunderbird is still a trusted gmail e-mail client, but, you need to allow (give permission) it to connect to the google mail server.

On a side note I suggest that it is a good idea to run some type of firewall.

How do I give it permission? I logged into the gmail webmail interface and looked around a bit but didn't find any way to grant permission to Thunderbird to send mail from.

I give the Thunderbird e-mail client permission when I first click on it to set-up my gmail account. It will walk you through several screens where you enter your e-mail address, password, etc. The last window that pops open will ask you to allow Thunderbird to access the mail server.

Thanks for the info on this, hitest. I've always used IMAP, but I did check my T-Bird settings to be on the safe side. Everything seems to be in order.....but it does help to be aware of this stuff!

Cheers. Appreciated.


Mike. ;)

Pah... Thunderbird is a secure mail app. If it's not working, it's because it's not configured properly. The solution is not to allow less secure apps, but to properly configure your secure one.

Two settings to check are 1) outgoing (smtp) server settings in thunderbird (make sure authentication method is set to "OAuth2", and 2) log into gmail with browser, from the grid of google apps, select "my account," and then "Apps with Account Access," and ensure that thunderbird is on the list.

I had same trouble as OP because imap authentication settings were set to "OAuth2", but smtp settings were still "normal password" -- as soon as I changed smtp to "OAuth2," my issue was resolved.