Unable to send email from Thunderbird 13.0.1 with Avast! 7.0.1456 on Windows 7

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Hi,

I am able to receive, but not SEND emails from my recently installed Thunderbird version 13.0.1 receiving this error message:
" Sending of message failed. The message could not be sent because the connection to SMTP server smtp.ziggo.nl timed out. Try again or contact your network administrator."

I am able to log on, receive and send emails from mail.cloudberries.nl so, I know there is no issue with the companies hosting eMail Server.

I have spent hours looking online at different forums and there are so many solution variations, but none seem to match my system specifications exactly or provide the desired result. Please can someone help?

Specifications:

O/S: Windows 7 Home Premium

Windows Firewall only: I have manually configured to allow Thunderbird both Private and Public Network access.

Avast! AV: (Free version fully up to date.)

I have manually configured the settings as follows:

  1. Real Time Shields —> Mail Shield —> Expert Settings —>

• I have unchecked the box for Scan Outbound Messages (SMTP)

  1. Real Time Shields —> Mail Shield —> Expert Settings —> SSL Accounts

I have manually entered and tried many configurations of port numbers (25, 465, 587) and encryption types (None / SSL / TLS) without success.

Host Name Protocol Port Encryption
smtp.ziggo.nl SMTP 465 None (and tried SSL / TLS)
mail.cloudberries.nl SMTP 465 None (Not correct host, but tried it!)

smtp.ziggo.nl SMTP 587 None
I even tried using port 587 but I receive these messages: “An error occurred while sending mail. The mail server responded: You must first login if you use port 587. Please verify that your email address is correct in your Mail preferences and try again.” followed by " Sending of message failed. Please verify that your Mail & Newsgroups account settings are correct and try again."

Thunderbird:

I have ensured that the Account Name, User Name and email address are all exactly the same.

I have deleted all Passwords from Thunderbird closed the program and re-entered these upon a prompt at program restart.

On the Account Settings GUI I have configured the Outgoing Server SMTP settings as:

Server Name: smtp.ziggo.nl
Port: 465
Connection Security: None
Authentication Method: No Authentication

I am out of ideas!
:cry:

2

Hi,

My persistence and tenancity paid off: Try this - it was the solution for me!

It is assumed that you have already Created a new Account in Thunderbird, but can’t get access to your work emails for example. You are experiencing difficulties because there is a conflict between Avast! and the Thunderbird Email Client otherwise, you wouldn’t be here. ::slight_smile:

First do a ping test
Open the Start Menu and type cmd in Search program and files. Open cmd.exe.
In the DOS window type the name of your ISP’s SMTP/ Mail Server

C:>ping smtp.ziggo.nl

Hopefully, you will receive a response similar to this:

Pinging smtp.ziggo.nl [212.54.34.9] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 212.54.34.9: bytes=32 time=56ms TTL=54
Reply from 212.54.34.9: bytes=32 time=56ms TTL=54
Reply from 212.54.34.9: bytes=32 time=56ms TTL=54
Reply from 212.54.34.9: bytes=32 time=57ms TTL=54

Ping statistics for 212.54.34.9 Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 56ms, Maximum = 57ms, Average = 56ms

Make a note of the IP Address highlighted above in BOLD

My Specifications:

O/S: Windows 7 Premium Home

Firewalls:

I have Windows Firewall only: Manual configure whatever you have to allow Thunderbird both Private and Public Network access.

Avast! AV: (Free version make sure fully up to date, currently 7.0.1456)

Manually configure the settings as follows:

  1. Real Time Shields —> Mail Shield —> Expert Settings —>

    Uncheck the Scan Outbound Messages (SMTP) box

  2. Real Time Shields —> Mail Shield —> Expert Settings —> SSL Accounts

    Press ADD ----> then enter the following details:
    Host Name: The ISP’s SMTP Server IP Address ( the ping test result 212.54.34.9)
    NOT the ISP’s Server Name!
    Protocol: SMTP
    Port: 25
    Encryption: None

Open Thunderbird: (current version 13.0.1)

Delete all Passwords from Thunderbird - don’t worry when we close the Thunderbird and re-open it later, you will be prompted to re-enter new passwords.

Tools —> Options —> Security ----> Passwords ----> Saved Password ----> Remove All

Then,

Select Tools ----> Account Settings

The Account Settings GUI opens

Input / update YOUR email account details:

Account Name: abc@xxxxxx.yyy

Email Address: abc@xxxxxx.yyy

Select Outgoing Server: abc@xxxxxx.yyy

Then on,

Server Settings (Still on the Account Settings GUI menu on the left)

Input,

Server Name: This is the name of your works email Server for example NOT the ISP’s!

User Name: abc@xxxxxx.yyy

Security Settings:
	Connection Security: 		None
	Authentication Method: 	Password, Transmit insecurely

Still on the Account Settings GUI at the bottom of the menu on the left open

Outgoing Server (SMTP):

Add SMTP Server:

Description: Whatever you want to call it
Server Name: Input the ISP’s SMTP Server IP Address ( ping test result 212.54.34.9) NOT the ISP’s Server Name!
Port: 25
Security and Authentication: None
Authentication Method: Password, transmitted insecurely
User Name: abc@xxxxxx.yyy

Note: Username, Account Name and Email Address are all EXACTLY the same!

Now close Thunderbird.

Restart Thunderbird

Enter the password(s) as prompted.

Then, do a test to confirm you can both send and receive emails! 8)

FYI: Thunderbird now SENDS emails via an unsecured channel, but before the email leaves your PC, AVAST! collects and scans your email for viruses, which it can only do on an unsecured channel. Thereafter, Avast! opens up the secure channel, ensuring your mail is secured at the point it leaves your PC.