Mozilla Thunderbird is a free, open-source email client that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Here's how to set up your Axigen email account in Thunderbird.
Initial Setup
1. Launch Thunderbird and Create a New Account
- Open Thunderbird.
- If it's your first time, the account setup wizard will appear automatically.
- Otherwise, click Menu (three horizontal lines) > Settings > Account Settings > Account Actions > Add Mail Account.
2. Enter Your Email Details
In the account setup form, enter:
- Your name: Your full name (how it appears in sent emails)
- Email address: Your full email address (e.g., user@yourdomain.com)
- Password: Your email account password
Click Continue. Thunderbird will attempt to auto-discover your server settings.
3. Auto-Discovery (Recommended)
Thunderbird checks its built-in database and queries your domain for auto-discovery records. If successful, your settings will be pre-filled—just click Done and you're finished.
If auto-discovery fails, proceed to manual configuration below.
Manual Configuration
1. Select Security and Protocol Type
Choose:
- Protocol: IMAP (recommended for multi-device sync) or POP3
- Security: SSL/TLS (recommended) or STARTTLS
- Port: Auto-populated based on your security choice
2. Enter Server Details
| Setting | Value |
|---------|-------|
| Incoming Server (IMAP/POP3) | mail.yourdomain.com (your provider's hostname) |
| Port | 993 (IMAP/SSL) or 995 (POP3/SSL) or 143 (IMAP/STARTTLS) or 110 (POP3/unencrypted) |
| Username | Your full email address |
| Outgoing Server (SMTP) | mail.yourdomain.com (your provider's hostname) |
| Outgoing Port | 587 (STARTTLS) or 465 (SSL) |
| Outgoing Security | SSL/TLS or STARTTLS |
| Outgoing Authentication | Normal password |
3. Verify Username Format
Ensure both incoming and outgoing use:
- Username: Your full email address (e.g., user@yourdomain.com)
Click Done when ready.
First Sync and Testing
1. Wait for Initial Sync
Thunderbird will begin downloading your emails. This may take several minutes if your mailbox is large. A progress bar will show at the bottom of the window.
2. Test Sending
Compose a new email and send it to yourself:
- Click Compose (or Ctrl+N / Cmd+N).
- Send it to your own email address.
- Wait a few seconds, then check your inbox.
If the email arrives, your account is working correctly.
Troubleshooting
Authentication Failed Error
1. Verify your email address: You must use the full email address (e.g., user@yourdomain.com), not just the username part.
2. Check your password: Ensure it's typed correctly. Password fields often have a Show Password checkbox for verification.
3. Try removing and re-adding the account:
- Right-click the account in the left sidebar.
- Click Delete and confirm.
- Re-add the account following the setup steps above.
Emails Not Downloading
- Check the folder pane: Look at the left sidebar. The Inbox should show a message count (e.g., "Inbox [12]").
- Verify sync settings: Click Account Settings (right-click account > Settings) and ensure Synchronization is enabled.
- Manually refresh: Press F5 or click the blue Refresh arrow toolbar button.
Sending Fails but Receiving Works
1. Check SMTP settings:
- Go to Account Settings > Outgoing Server (SMTP).
- Verify the hostname and port match your provider's settings.
- Ensure Authentication is set to Normal password.
2. Try a different SMTP port:
- If port 587 (STARTTLS) fails, try 465 (SSL).
- Contact your provider to confirm the correct SMTP port.
"Cannot connect to server" Error
- Verify the mail server hostname with your provider.
- Check your internet connection: Ensure you have active WiFi or broadband.
- Try a different port: If port
993fails, try143(unencrypted), though993(SSL) is more secure. - Firewall or antivirus: Check if your security software is blocking Thunderbird's network access.
Tips for Thunderbird
- IMAP is recommended: It syncs across all devices. POP3 downloads emails locally and removes them from the server, so you won't see them elsewhere.
- Archive old emails: Thunderbird stores emails locally. To free up space, right-click a folder and select Compact.
- Enable offline mode: While away from internet, you can still read already-downloaded emails. Click File > Offline > Work Offline.
- Organize with filters: Use Tools > Message Filters to auto-sort incoming emails into folders.
Still Having Trouble?
Contact your email provider with the exact error message shown in Thunderbird (found in Help > Troubleshooting Information > Log Files section if needed). They can verify the correct mail server hostname and confirm your account status.