Thunderbird Not Working with Office 365: Fix Issues

User Query: I use Mozilla Thunderbird to access my Office 365 emails. Recently, Thunderbird stopped connecting to Office 365. It displays authentication errors and fails to download new emails. I already checked my password, but it still doesn’t work. How can I fix Thunderbird not working with Office 365?

Introduction: Mozilla Thunderbird is a free and popular email client that supports IMAP and POP connections. Many users prefer it to manage their Office 365 emails. But sometimes Thunderbird stops working with Office 365 due to wrong settings, outdated authentication methods, or Microsoft security updates. This can stop you from sending or receiving emails. In this blog, we will explain the common reasons for this problem and step-by-step methods to fix Thunderbird not sending emails from Microsoft 365. Also, you can use the professional DRS Thunderbird Backup Tool to create a backup of Thunderbird emails into an Office 365 account.

Quick Answer: Thunderbird Mail Not Working with Office 365

If Thunderbird is not working with Office 365, check and update IMAP settings, enable modern authentication, and generate an app password. You may also need to update Thunderbird to the latest version for proper OAuth2 support.

Common Reasons: Thunderbird Failed Work with Office 365 Emails

  • Wrong IMAP or SMTP settings in Thunderbird.
  • Basic authentication is disabled by Microsoft.
  • Thunderbird version does not support OAuth2.
  • Corrupt profile or mailbox configuration.
  • Also, a poor internet connection or a firewall blocking.

Manually Fix Thunderbird Not Working with Office 365

You can solve this issue by correcting your email settings and enabling modern authentication. First, make sure Thunderbird is updated to the latest version. Then check your IMAP and SMTP settings, and enable OAuth2 for secure login. These manual fixes usually restore connection with Office 365 without needing extra tools. Here is how you can perform this:

Step 01: Update Thunderbird to the Latest Version

  1. First, open Thunderbird → Go to Help → About Thunderbird.
  2. After that, if an update is available, install it. 
  3. Now, this ensures support for OAuth2 authentication.

Step 02: Check and Correct IMAP/SMTP Settings

  1. Then, open Thunderbird Account SettingsServer Settings.
  2. Next, use the correct Office 365 settings:
    • IMAP Server: outlook.office365.com | Port: 993 | Security: SSL/TLS
    • SMTP Server: smtp.office365.com | Port: 587 | Security: STARTTLS

Step 03: Enable OAuth2 Authentication

  1. Again, go to Thunderbird Account SettingsAuthentication Method.
  2. Now, select OAuth2 for both incoming and outgoing servers.
  3. Further, sign in with your Microsoft 365 credentials when prompted.

Step 04: Generate App Password (If MFA is Enabled)

  1. Log in to your Office 365 account.
  2. Go to My Account Security InfoAdd MethodApp Password.
  3. Afterwards, generate a new password and use it in Thunderbird instead of your regular one.

Step 05: Repair Profile to Fix Thunderbird Not Working with Office 365

  1. Now, open Thunderbird → Go to Help Troubleshooting Information.
  2. Then, click the Repair Folder for Inbox or create a new profile to refresh the account.

Step 06: Check Firewall & Internet Connection

  1. Ensure that your firewall is not blocking Thunderbird.
  2. In the end, use a stable internet connection to avoid sync issues.

Alternative Method: Thunderbird Not Working with Office 365

If Thunderbird keeps showing errors, you can use a professional DRS Thudnerbird Backup Tool to access your Office 365 mailbox. This allows you to download all emails into formats like PST, EML, MBOX, and other formats. So you can open them on any email client. Advanced features with a simple interface, even a non-tech user can easily use it. Furthermore, you can migrate Mozilla Thunderbird to Gmail and other email clients.

One-Time Thunderbird to Office 365 Migration

If you only need to perform this migration once, you can share your Thunderbird profile with our support team. We will migrate your emails safely to Office 365 without downtime. This service is quick, secure, and cost-effective.

Simple Steps to Access Office 365 Emails without Thunderbird

  1. Initially, download & install the DRS Thunderbird Backup Tool.
  2. Now, choose the Thunderbird Profile that you want to convert.
  3. Then, preview and choose the emails to access in your O35 account.
  4. After that, choose the Office 365 account from the available saving format.
  5. Further, enter your Office 365 details, such as ID and Password, to Sign In.
  6. Lastly, use advanced features/filters as per your needs. Click Convert.

Why Fixing Thunderbird Office 365 Issues is Important?

  • Ensures uninterrupted email communication.
  • Prevents loss of important messages.
  • Improves security with modern authentication.
  • Moreover, keeps Thunderbird running securely with Office 365.

Also Read: Migrate Thunderbird Emails to Google Workspace.

Conclusion

Thunderbird not working with Office 365 is a common issue after Microsoft disabled basic authentication. The fix is simple: update Thunderbird, use correct IMAP/SMTP settings, enable OAuth2, and generate an app password if MFA is enabled. If the issue persists, try using a professional IMAP Backup Tool to securely access your emails without downtime. In addition, download the demo version of this tool to understand its features and performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1 Why is Thunderbird email not working with Office 365?

Ans: It may be due to wrong IMAP settings, an outdated Thunderbird version, or disabled basic authentication by Microsoft.

Q.2 Does Thunderbird work with Outlook 365?

Ans: Yes, Thunderbird supports Office 365, but you must configure it using IMAP/SMTP and OAuth2 authentication.

Q.3 . Can I still use Thunderbird with modern Office 365 accounts?

Ans: Yes, you can use Thunderbird with modern Office 365 accounts by enabling OAuth2 and updating to the latest Thunderbird version.

Q.4 How do I enable Modern Authentication in Office 365 for Thunderbird?

Ans: Go to Microsoft 365 Admin Center → Settings → Modern Authentication and turn it on. Then update Thunderbird and select OAuth2 for IMAP/SMTP. Sign in with your Office 365 credentials when prompted.

About The Author:

I, Aaradhya Jain, a technical content writer at DRS Solutions, specializes in delivering clear, practical guides on data management, migration, and recovery tools. With a detail-oriented and user-first approach mindset, I transform complex processes into actionable insights for IT professionals and decision-makers.

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