Thunderbird Keeps Asking for SMTP Password
If Thunderbird never accepts your SMTP (outgoing) password—even though it works in Webmail—try the steps below.
1. Clear and Re-save Your Password
- In Thunderbird, go to Tools > Options > Privacy & Security (or Edit > Preferences > Privacy & Security on some platforms).
- Under Logins and Passwords, click Saved Passwords….
- Click Show Passwords and then remove any entries for your mail server.
- Close the dialog. The next time Thunderbird prompts for your password, enter it and check “Use the Password Manager to remember this password.”
This ensures Thunderbird stores a fresh copy of your valid password.
Source: MozillaZine KB
2. Verify SMTP Authentication Settings
- In Thunderbird, go to Tools > Account Settings.
- Select Outgoing Server (SMTP) from the left panel.
- Click the SMTP entry for your account and then click Edit.
- Make sure the Use name and password is checked, and that the Username field contains your full email address.
- If the problem persists, try unchecking “Use name and password” (some servers accept an unauthenticated session differently).
Source: MozillaZine Forums
3. Confirm Server and Port Settings
- SMTP Server:
mail.yourdomain.com
- Port: usually
465 (SSL) or 587 (TLS)
- Connection security: SSL/TLS or STARTTLS
- Authentication method: Normal password
4. Restart Thunderbird After a Server Reboot
Sometimes a mail server restart can leave Thunderbird in a bad state. Close Thunderbird completely, wait a minute, then reopen it and try again.
Still Stuck?
If Thunderbird continues to prompt for your SMTP password, please open a support ticket with:
- Your account’s SMTP server name and port
- The exact error message Thunderbird shows
- Any recent changes you made to your password or mail settings
Create a support ticket
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