Q: Have you just updated from a version 68* to version 78* ? If yes: It is possible the server does not use up to date TLS protocol. Version 78* set a higher minimum level for TLS protocol, so try the information at this link to reset the level to same as 68*. Then restart Thunderbird. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/thunderbird-78-faq#w_after-upgrading-to-thunderbird-78-i-cannot-receive-or-send-email-messages

This has nothing to do with the question.

When the server is available everything is fine. The problem, once again, is that I never see any error messages if there is a connection problem. Nothing. Nada. No indication at all that there is any problem. WHY and how do I fix it?

buzz

If you know what the problem is please file a bug report. https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/home

Thunderbird, unless you manually change every account after it is created, will check for mail on startup. If you are modifying defaults or using non standard settings it is always a good idea to advise those trying to help what you are doing and why as they know exactly what you tell them. In this case you are offering a scenario that is all to common, but getting an error message is not straightforward when bugs are involved.

If I knew what the problem was, I wouldn't be asking a question. I don't know what more you want me to tell you. I am not having a problem with Thunderbird when the server is available. If the server, for some unknown reason or act of God, becomes unavailable, there is no indication from Thunderbird that it cannot connect to the server, at the default 10 minute interval or even if I close Thunderbird and restart it. Is this the way it is supposed to work?

Thanks, buzz

Lets look at this. Is your network available? Thunderbird detects the availability of the network in most cases. Is it just the server that is down? The only way an application might work that out is when the attempt to connect to the server times out. You are not getting such a message.

Toad replied with one of thew two known no error is returned issues. You said "This has nothing to do with the question. " so clearly that known problem is not the one affecting you. I will provide you a link to the bug anyway. https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=739563

The other is when an OCSP query fails. It is reported here https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=773078 There may be others but those are the ones I know about.

To be blunt the answer to your question as stated "How do I get Thunderbird to pop up a message" is "you can not!"

"Is it just the server that is down? The only way an application might work that out is when the attempt to connect to the server times out. You are not getting such a message."

YES!! THIS!! It is just the server that is down and I am NOT getting a message about it.

Since everything works when the server is up, neither of those 2 bugs seem relevant. Every other email client I have tried, including mobile, give a unable to connect to server message of some kind when this happens. Thunderbird does not.

I have used Thunderbird since pre-1.0 days and have never asked for help with anything. Should have kept that record going. I'm sorry to have bothered anyone, how do I close this as unsolved?

Thanks buzz

re :I have used Thunderbird since pre-1.0 days and have never asked for help with anything. Should have kept that record going.

Just because you do not get exactly what you want does not mean you should take offence. As you claim to have never asked for help before perhaps it is a new concept that communcating with volunteers who are offering their free time to help others means being civil and polite. There is no harm in asking for help or advise. Often we can resolve a situation or report as a bug, but sometimes we can only tell you the truth that what you are looking for may not be available and that is not the fault of other Thunderbird users.

Historical info on accessing server is located in the 'Activity Manager'. It lists all the connection times within that session per account, so you can notice when things stopped.

When attempt is made, usually you see something in the Status bar - bottom left area eg: connecting or timed out, but you never get to the connected status. Perhaps you do not have the Status Bar enabled or perhaps you have not noticed the information in that area because it is not exactly a pop up message and sometimes information is shown for only a moment. As there is no connection, this would be reflected in the Activity Manager not showing a connection time and this info can help to work out how long something has been not connecting. Knowing what caused that problem is an entirely different situation. It does not always mean the server is down, it could mean you updated from a 68 version to a 78 version and lost connectivity because the server was still using old protocols or you have just temporarilly lost internet connectivity as hub/router got updated or Firewall not allowing the program or too many cache opened or various other connectivity issues as previously explained. Sometimes there is a error message from the server and that will be the first you know about it. Connectivity is not created but the pont is this...the reason for it is not so easily determined and Thunderbird may not necessarilly know what is going on except it cannot connect.