Fix Thunderbird Keeps Asking for Password for Verification

  

Published By Karen Chard 

Approved By Rollins Duke

Published On March 12th, 2026

Reading Time 5 Min Read

When you configure an email account in Thunderbird, you need to enter the password once or log in via OAuth a single time only. However, sometimes Mozilla Thunderbird keeps asking for a password even after configuration, as if the password is forgotten. Here, we have discussed possible causes and tested resolutions to get rid of repeated password prompts.

Symptoms

Whenever you restart Thunderbird, try to send a message or fetch/sync new messages and updates from the server of an email account Thunderbird asks for credentials to complete the action.

Causes: Why Thunderbird Keeps Asking for Your Email Password?

Mozilla Thunderbird is merely an email client that lets you access your email locally on your Windows, Mac, or Linux operating system. The actual sending or receiving of an email or any other action must be authorized by the email server. To ensure security, you need an OAuth token or Passwords.

Instead of asking for the password repeatedly, Thunderbird saves the password or token in the profile folder and uses it to communicate with the email server.

However, Thunderbird asks for a password every time when:

• Thunderbird stores the old or outdated password.
• The logins.json or key4.db – files where the OAuth token and Password in the Thunderbird profile got corrupted.
• You have not checked the “Use Password Manager to remember this password” when configuring the account.
• Authentication with the server fails due to an unstable network, incorrect server settings, or security protocols.
• Due to antivirus, firewall, or proxy interference with certain IMAP servers.

Resolution to Thunderbird Always Asking for Password

These fixes are for the latest version of Thunderbird on macOS and Windows. Try updating to the latest version, as the legacy version may not comply with modern security architecture making Thunderbird to keep asking for a password.

Fix 1: Update Saved Password in Thunderbird

If you have changed the password of a configured email account in Thunderbird via the webmail, but forgot to update it in Thunderbird. Follow the exact steps to fix it, as this can be the primary reason behind repeated password prompts.

1. In Thunderbird, go to Menu >> Settings.
2. Open the Privacy and Security tab.
3. Search for Password in Find in Settings search bar.
4. Click on Saved Password >> Show Passwords.
   
   
5. Then press Yes to confirm.
6. Right-click on each account and select edit password.
   
   
7. Enter the latest passwords.
8. Press close and restart Thunderbird to fix the Thunderbird keeps asking for password issues.

Fix 2: Check Use Password Manager to Remember This Password Box

1. Close and then restart Thunderbird.
2. Enter the password when asked again.
3. At the bottom, there is a small checkbox “Use Password Manager to Remember This Password” make sure to check the box this time.

Fix 3: Disable Primary Password

Thunderbird allows its users to set a Primary, also known as a Master password. This offers users better security and privacy. If you have enabled the primary password, Thunderbird always asks for the password upon restart. Here is how you can disable it:

1. In Thunderbird, go to Menu >> Settings.
2. In Privacy & Security, go to the Password Manager.
3. Uncheck the Use a Primary Password box.
   
4. Enter the current password and press Remove.

Fix 4: Delete Corrupted Login Files & Re-Configure Accounts

Your login password and OAuth token are saved in the logins.json file in the Thunderbird profile folder. If they get corrupted, Thunderbird will keep asking for a password to authenticate the connection with the server.

Method 1: Remove Corrupted Credentials From Password Manager

1. Go to Thunderbird Settings >> Privacy & Security.
2. Scroll to the Passwords section.
3. Click on Saved Passwords and then press the Remove All button.
4. Restart Thunderbird and reconfigure accounts.

If you still happen to face the Thunderbird always asking for a password issue, try an alternate approach.

Method 2: Delete logins.json from Profile

1. In Thunderbird, go to Menu >> Help >> Troubleshooting Information.
2. Scroll to the Profile Folder and press the Open Folder button.
3. Delete Logins and Logins.json file.
4. Then restart Thunderbird and reconfigure accounts.

Fix 5: Switch to OAuth2

For accounts like Gmail and Outlook.com, where modern OAuth is available, Thunderbird keeps asking for a password due to the use of legacy authentication methods.

1. In Thunderbird, go to Menu and select Account Settings.
2. Open the Server Settings, go to the Authentication method.
3. Select OAuth instead of Normal Password from the drop-down.
   

Important Suggestions: If you have enabled two-factor authentication for your IMAP account, ensure to use an App-Specific password.

Fix 6: Turn Off Antivirus, Firewall, and Proxy

Some antivirus or firewall tools may interfere with secure email connections, especially when scanning IMAP or SMTP emails.

If the issue continues:

• Temporarily disable email scanning in your antivirus software.
• Ensure Thunderbird is allowed through the firewall.
• Restart Thunderbird and test the account again.

While the issue may seem as a forgotten password, the real cause is often outdated credentials, corrupted saved tokens, or a temporary interruption in the authentication process. Try out the fixes suggested above and ensure to use the correct server setting during configuration to avoid future instances of Thunderbird keeps asking for password issues.