Disappearing mail: Difference between revisions

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(added more info on prefs.js corruption, with link)
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* If you accidentally deleted a mail account, [[Thunderbird : FAQs : Recover Deleted Account | read this]].
* If you accidentally deleted a mail account, [[Thunderbird : FAQs : Recover Deleted Account | read this]].


* It's possible that your prefs.js file got corrupted. Exit Thunderbird and go to your [[Profile Folder | profile folder]]. Try replacing prefs.js with prefs.bak (renamed to prefs.js). Or, if you have a separate backup copy of prefs.js, trying replacing the existing prefs.js file with your backup copy.
* It's possible that your prefs.js file, which contains your account settings, got corrupted. Exit Thunderbird and go to your [[Profile Folder | profile folder]]. Try replacing prefs.js with prefs.bak (renamed to prefs.js). Or, if you have a separate backup copy of prefs.js, trying replacing the existing prefs.js file with your backup copy.


* It's possible that Thunderbird somehow "forgot" the location of your profile and created a new, blank one for you. Exit Thunderbird and launch the [[Profile Folder#How_do_I_manage_my_profile(s)? | profile manager]]. You may be able to launch Thunderbird with your old profile by using the profile manager.
* It's possible that Thunderbird somehow "forgot" the location of your profile and created a new, blank one for you. Exit Thunderbird and launch the [[Profile Folder#How_do_I_manage_my_profile(s)? | profile manager]]. You may be able to launch Thunderbird with your old profile by using the profile manager.


* If your profile exists and seems to be intact but cannot be "found" by the profile manager, exit Thunderbird and launch the [[Profile Folder#How_do_I_manage_my_profile(s)? | profile manager]]. Make a new profile and  [[Thunderbird : FAQs : Changing Profile Folder Location | migrate everything over]] from your old profile folder to the new one.
* If your profile exists and seems to be intact but cannot be "found" by the profile manager, exit Thunderbird and launch the [[Profile Folder#How_do_I_manage_my_profile(s)? | profile manager]]. Make a new profile and  [[Thunderbird : FAQs : Changing Profile Folder Location | migrate everything over]] from your old profile folder to the new one. (Note: if the problem is in fact a corrupt prefs.js file, migrating the profile will not help since this does not fix the bad prefs.js file. See [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=82400 this thread] for further information on how to restore your mail.)


* Try what's described in [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=442063 this thread].
* Try what's described in [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=442063 this thread].


* If all else fails, try a Mozillazine [http://forums.mozillazine.org/search.php forum search] for terms like "disappeared" or "vanished".
* If all else fails, try a Mozillazine [http://forums.mozillazine.org/search.php forum search] for terms like "disappeared" or "vanished".

Revision as of 05:27, 6 June 2004

There are a variety of reasons that some or all of your messages might disappear from view in Thunderbird. Below are some things that you can try in order to get them back.

  • Check to make sure that View | Messages is set to "All".
  • Look in the Trash folder.
  • Check to see if your anti-virus software has quarantined your inbox. Your anti-virus software might be set to do this automatically when it finds an infected message. [1][2]
  • Look in your profile folder to see if your mail files are still there. If so, you can try some of the things listed below. It is recommended that you first make a backup copy of your profile folder.
  • For each folder directory (xxx.sbd), make sure there is a corresponding mail file (xxx), even if there is no mail at that level. [3]
  • Try compacting folders for the affected account by doing File -> Compact Folders.
  • If you accidentally deleted a mail account, read this.
  • It's possible that your prefs.js file, which contains your account settings, got corrupted. Exit Thunderbird and go to your profile folder. Try replacing prefs.js with prefs.bak (renamed to prefs.js). Or, if you have a separate backup copy of prefs.js, trying replacing the existing prefs.js file with your backup copy.
  • It's possible that Thunderbird somehow "forgot" the location of your profile and created a new, blank one for you. Exit Thunderbird and launch the profile manager. You may be able to launch Thunderbird with your old profile by using the profile manager.
  • If your profile exists and seems to be intact but cannot be "found" by the profile manager, exit Thunderbird and launch the profile manager. Make a new profile and migrate everything over from your old profile folder to the new one. (Note: if the problem is in fact a corrupt prefs.js file, migrating the profile will not help since this does not fix the bad prefs.js file. See this thread for further information on how to restore your mail.)
  • If all else fails, try a Mozillazine forum search for terms like "disappeared" or "vanished".