Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Why can I no longer add attachments to messages I send?

  • 5 cavab
  • 3 have this problem
  • 3 views
  • Last reply by Matt

more options

After using Thunderbird for many years, all of a sudden it will no longer let me attach files to messages that I send out. I am about to re-install the program. On the other hand I am using version 31.7.0. -- Steven Bass

After using Thunderbird for many years, all of a sudden it will no longer let me attach files to messages that I send out. I am about to re-install the program. On the other hand I am using version 31.7.0. -- Steven Bass

All Replies (5)

more options

Avast perhaps?

more options

Dear Matt,

Thank you for your attention to my posting about my sudden inability to attach files (regardless of type -- .pdf, .txt, etc) to my outgoing Thunderbird e-mail messages. I don't think your thought applies here.

Here is some additional information:

1.) I am running t-bird 38.1.0 under W7 (which I keep up-to-date with the latest patches).

2.) I have been using T-bird for years and have sent out literally thousands of messages using this e-mail tool, and perhaps 5% or so have had attachments that went through successfully.

3.) Throughout the years I have always used Symantec NIS as my sole anti-virus, etc security tool.

4.) Here is how my problem manifests itself: I click on "Write" to compose an outgoing message. At some point during this process I will also click on "attach." Normally -- as you know -- I am then presented with a Win Explorer - like window that allows me to browse to the directory and file which I desire to attach to the e-mail message. I select this file, and it is automatically attached to the message. This has behaved flawlessly throughout the years. But suddenly, last Thursday I believe, clicking on attach no longer brings up the WE browse window. Instead, the border surrounding the e-mail message window (which came up in response to my clicking on "write") blinks (highlights?) twice in rapid succession, as if the t-bird program is complaining about something. And that's all I get. No browsing window or anything.

5.) I have uninstalled t-bird and re-installed at least twice.

I do hope you have some further thoughts.

Steven Bass (832) 545-3400

more options

I think your issue may well be NIS. Restart the operating system in safe mode with Networking. This loads only the very basics needed to start your computer while enabling an Internet connection. Click on your operating system for instructions on how to start in safe mode: Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, OSX


Does it work any better in safe mode?

more options

Dear Matt,

I followed your advice.

In safe mode, t-bird does attachments just fine.

Then, when I restart in normal mode, it goes back to its old ways (see the details concerning these "old ways" in my last post).

Do you believe this implicates NIS? I have been using NIS for years and years -- with t-bird -- without problems. What could have changed?

Steven Bass

more options

yes I think NIS is the issue.

'NOTE I do not use any Symantec product and have not for more than a decade so specifics are beyond my ability.

First try turning off Sonar. I see it mentioned a lot so try that. Also disable out going email scanning. Pretty pointless process, if you have no virus, they do not spontaneously appear so scanning outgoing mail is pretty questionable really.

Check some of the links here https://wiki.mozilla.org/Thunderbird:Testing:Antivirus_Related_Performance_Issues#Norton_Security