Thunderbird BT email settings

[wairds]

When setting up Thunderbird email client (POP/SMTP) using the recommended BT email server settings I receive the following message “Unable to login at server. Probably wrong configuration, username or password.”

However if I set Connection security on the Incoming POP server to “None”. All is well.

Can somebody please advise.

Thank you.

[imjolly]

these are BT mail server settings

https://www.bt.com/help/email/manage-email-account/manual-settings/what-are-the-settings-for-outgoin...

[wairds]

Thank you for responding.

These are the settings I am using which are the same as the BT recommended settings:

POP3 settings

Incoming Mail Server: mail.btinternet.com

Port: 995

SSL Encryption: SSL/TLS

Username: email address xxxxxxxx@btinternet.com

Password: btinternet password

SMTP settings

Outgoing Mail Server: mail.btinternet.com

Port: 465

SSL Encryption: SSL/TLS

Authentication: btinternet password

Username: email address xxxxxxxx@btinternet.com

Password: your btinternet password

Yet I am receiving an error using the recommended POP settings. SMTP seems ok.

[imjolly]

an reason not to use IMAP instead of POP?

[wairds]

I think the preference was POP but I have just tried IMAP and receive the same message as with POP.

[licquorice]

It is your preference whether to use POP3 or IMAP.  With IMAP all devices are synced and mail held on server, with POP3 mail is downloaded to your device.

Make sure you have set authentication as Normal Password.

[wairds]

Thank you. I have all those settings but am still receiving the same message. I am baffled.

Why should it be ok when I set Connection security on the Incoming POP server to “None”?

[TimCurtis]

@wairds 

I have exactly the settings as you using POP3.

It also works if I use None for security rather than SSL/TLS.

I assume you aren't encrypting the password.

I've had a look at my account settings within BT Mail and there's nothing odd in there.

What version of Thunderbird are you using and has this been a recent or long term problem?

Edit:

Just seen there were a number of security fixes applied yesterday so if you've updated since then maybe that's the issue.

[gg30340]

I notice that you previously had problems trying to set up your email account in Outlook.

https://community.bt.com/t5/General-email-queries/Setting-up-a-BT-email-account-in-New-Outlook-Windo...

Since July 2022 BT no longer supply an email account to new BT Broadband customers.

Have you been a BT Broadband customer prior to that date and do you have a BTMail account on your BT Broadband account prior to that date. 

If you do have a BTMail account does it send and receive when you use a web browser (webmail).

Have you checked what your email account "type" is when you go to your MyBT > Your Products > Email, Manage? It should be "Standard" or if you pay for your email it should show "Premium".

[wairds]

Thanks for getting back to me,

Today is my first encounter with Thunderbird and consequently I only downloaded it this afternoon so am assuming it is the latest version. I am setting it up for an acquaintance and thought it would be quite straightforward!

I am entering the password in plain text.

I have also posed the same question on the Mozilla forum but have so far received no responses.

In wading through Thunderbird I notice there are connection settings. I don’t know if I have to adjust those?