Since update, TB not working. Manual reinstall not working, need older version
Since the last update TB is unresponsive to clicking folders. I can only view messages by right clicking a folder such as Inbox and opening in a new window. I can read that message as it shows in the preview pane but cannot reply, forward, etc. Clicking any menu items does not work, so Write does not bring up a compose window; i can click the top level menu such as Tools and see the menu list below, but clicking anything in the list produces nothing. So I cannot restart without add ons.
I downloaded the newest version again, and installed it manually after removing the program. Sam issue. Can someone point me to an older version?
Thanks.
Chosen solution
This might work.
- On the toolbar
then 
- Select extensions and remove the Lightning (calendar) addon
- Restart Thunderbird
- Reinstall Lightning/calendar addon - if you need the functionality
Please tell us, does that help?
NoteRead this answer in context 👍 4
- If you can't get to Add-ons, then start Thunderbird in safe mode by holding the shift key while starting Thunderbird.
- If you still can't get to Add-ons, simply reinstall Thunderbird from http://getthunderbird.com/
All Replies (6)
Chosen Solution
This might work.
- On the toolbar then
- Select extensions and remove the Lightning (calendar) addon
- Restart Thunderbird
- Reinstall Lightning/calendar addon - if you need the functionality
Please tell us, does that help?
Note
- If you can't get to Add-ons, then start Thunderbird in safe mode by holding the shift key while starting Thunderbird.
- If you still can't get to Add-ons, simply reinstall Thunderbird from http://getthunderbird.com/
Thank you so much. Starting in safe mode allowed me to disable Lightning and that solved the issue.
Just to be clear, you can reinstall lightning without fear of the issue returning. Given the developers can finally reproduce this issue they have developed a patch which should make it to you before the next major release, hopefully this will be the last we see if this bug.
Hello, I have similar issues in 38.6.0. I have Windows 10 Home, version 1511, OS Build 10586.104. 1. The Help option on the TB menu bar is missing. There is only File, Edit, View, Go, Message, Tools. 2. To see your mail, you have to right click on a folder name (like Inbox) and select "open in a new tab." Before, you could just left click on the folder name and you would get that (tabular, column) view. Whereas, if you left click on a folder name like Inbox or Sent, you get the non-table view with Email, Accounts, and Advanced Features. In this view, under Email if you click "Read messages" nothing happens. 3. Click Tools > Add-ons, and nothing happens. 4. Click Tools > Options, and nothing happens. 5. When you start TB, the right-most tab opens and there is a spinning green circle that goes on and on. 6. When you close TB, it does not go away completely. The Windows Task Manager shows thunderbird.exe with a status of Running. I have been ending the process tree and only then will TB start again. 7. Last but not least: The TB or Lightning Calendar has dropped out of sight, with no way to start another one (remember, you can't select Add-ons). I may need to refresh or re-install TB.
Hello again. Starting TB in Safe Mode, removing two inactive Add-ons, closing and restarting, allowed the Tools > Add-ons choice to come back and the email tabular views to appear when you left click your folders. Ah, the Help selection in the TB menu bar is back. The Tools > Options choice is back. The spinning green circle is gone. Closing TB now makes thunderbird.exe go away in Task Manager. That was the key -- starting TB in Safe Mode, getting Add-ons back, removing the old add=ons. My faith and affection for TB is restored thanks to you! Much appreciated, go you accept Green Stamps?
And the Calendar is back as well. Kudos.