Thunderbird stopped sending my emails (gmail)

Chris_H

unread,

May 8, 2010, 1:09:30 AM5/8/10

to

Sending of message failed.
An error occurred sending mail: Unable to establish a secure link with
SMTP server smtp.gmail.com using STARTTLS since it doesn't advertise
that feature. Switch off STARTTLS for that server or contact your
service provider.

Chris_H

unread,

May 8, 2010, 1:10:17 AM5/8/10

to

Can anyone help me please???

Dan Roycroft

unread,

May 8, 2010, 1:45:27 AM5/8/10

to

This just appeared today on my wife's computer. Exact same message.
The fact it occurred on the same day as you, and that there is
virtually no info on the internet about this must mean it's quite new
and unique. The really strange part if my computer with the exact
same settings has no problem. Makes me wonder if it's a firewall/AV
issue although I've checked everything out and it all seems correct.
Really strange issue indeed. (P.S. she uses Avast-free while I use
NOD32.)

Mike Easter

unread,

May 8, 2010, 2:01:43 AM5/8/10

to

Chris_H wrote:

>> Sending of message failed.
>> An error occurred sending mail: Unable to establish a secure link with
>> SMTP server smtp.gmail.com using STARTTLS since it doesn't advertise
>> that feature. Switch off STARTTLS for that server or contact your
>> service provider.
>
> Can anyone help me please???

Gmail recommends the setting 'TLS if available' (instead of TLS)

In your server settings, the smtp server/s are at the bottom, outgoing
server settings. If you have more than one, you select the gmail one
and use the Edit button where your choices of secure connection are No,
TLS if available, TLS, and SSL.

Mine is configured with TLS and hasn't had any problems, but if I had a
problem, I would change it to 'tls if available'.

See the last gmail help screenshot here
http://mail.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=86400

ie this one http://www.google.com/help/hc/images/gmail_86400c_en.gif

Gmail help also has a tbird troubleshooting help 'wizard' or sequence
tool http://mail.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=86402 This
page is designed to walk you through all of our troubleshooting
information in an orderly fashion

--
Mike Easter

Fiore

unread,

May 8, 2010, 5:15:05 AM5/8/10

to

I solved the problem removing the scansion of sended emails from
avast,
I think it's a problem of the last updating of the antivirus, it gives
me problem now also in downloading new email...

Dan Roycroft

unread,

May 8, 2010, 11:02:05 AM5/8/10

to

Yup that worked. I went to Avast -> Real Time Shield -> Mail Shield -
> and unchecked "Scan outbound messages" and the error went away.
Must have been an Avast update yesterday that caused this.

HK

unread,

May 8, 2010, 11:47:46 PM5/8/10

to

The problem is definitely the newest Avast AV engine (5.0.545). I had
that exact problem, disabled outgoing mail scan, and the problem
disappeared.

Glynn

unread,

May 9, 2010, 6:24:34 AM5/9/10

to

Thanks Guys n Gals

Avast -> Real Time Shield -> Mail Shield -> and uncheck "Scan
outbound messages" solved the problem for me

Fran

unread,

May 9, 2010, 11:14:00 AM5/9/10

to

I was having the same problem after the Avast update. Disabling "Scan
outbound messages" worked for me too.

kdv

unread,

May 9, 2010, 7:42:02 PM5/9/10

to

Thank you---- That worked!!! So great to have you all who know how
to get around these problems!!! Many Many thanks--- this could have
caused me hours of grief---GOOD GRIEF!