Top Ways to Fix Thunderbird Freezes or Running Extremely Slow

If your Thunderbird freezes and it has now started affecting your workflow, then start reading this article. We understand the importance of the Thunderbird email client for users and how its performance can impact businesses. Here we have simplified how to fix Thunderbird running slow error with simple and easy step-by-step methods. Let’s get started!

• Why Does Thunderbird Freeze?
• Problems Users Face When Thunderbird is Running Slow
• How to Fix Thunderbird Freezes Issues? Top Methods
  1. Empty Trash if Thunderbird is Slow
  2. Empty Thunderbird Junk Folder
  3. Check Thunderbird is Up-to-Date
  4. Update Device to Fix Thunderbird Freezes Issues
  5. Turn Thunderbird Troubleshoot Mode Off
  6. Compact Folders if Thunderbird is Slow
  7. Recreate Thunderbird MSF (Mail Summary Files)
  8. Uninstall Antivirus to Stop Thunderbird Freezing
  9. Fix Thunderbird Freezes Error by Saving Its Data in Another Format
• Benefits of Using Tool
• Conclusion

Thunderbird is a widely popular open-source email client providing its services to a large number of users free of cost. Thunderbird is a highly popular choice among users because it supports IMAP and POP3 server configurations and stores data in MBOX files. However, there is no doubt that Thunderbird provides several features and add-ins to keep developing its performance but still because of some unfortunate reasons, users face issues like Thunderbird freezes or running extremely slow.

But worry not, the motive of this article is to provide you the most efficient solutions to resolve Thunderbird freezes issues. Moreover we will also discuss why Thunderbird running slow. Keep reading.

Why Your Thunderbird Freezes?

Following are some of the top reasons why your Thunderbird is slow:

• You are using an Outdated version of Thunderbird or your device.
• Exceeding the limited mailbox size and now the Thunderbird inbox is full.
• Storing a large number of email messages in Thunderbird folders.
• Installing a variety of add-ons to add more features in Thunderbird.
• Thunderbird also freezes when the MSF files (Mail Summary Files) are corrupted or damaged.
• You might be using outdated hardware on your PC.
• Insufficient hard disk space that stores Thunderbird data.
• Thunderbird mailbox storage has been corrupted.
• Thunderbird closes database after every 5 minutes due to Inactivity

Problems Users Face When Thunderbird Running Slow

Thunderbird freezes issue can be a major problem specially for the users who deal with emails and MBOX files on a daily basis. There are certain challenges users may face when Thunderbird extremely slow:

• Unable to send and receive messages in Thunderbird.
• Thunderbird emails messages are not loading.
• Cannot open or view Thunderbird emails.
• The Thunderbird app is not opening or working.
• Thunderbird is performing too slow.
• Unable to install new ad-ons.
• Thunderbird freezing while performing a task.

How to Fix Thunderbird Freezes Issues? Top Methods

After understanding the reasons for facing Thunderbird slow issues, it will be easier to resolve. Following are the effective and verified methods including manual and expert’s trusted approaches to easily get rid of Thunderbird freezes issues. Try them:

1. Empty Trash if Thunderbird is Slow

1. Start your Thunderbird app.
2. Open the “Trash” folder.
3. Press CTRL+A to select all the messages.
4. Hit the Delete button.

2. Empty Thunderbird Junk Folder

1. Launch the Thunderbird program.
2. Select and Right click on the ‘Spam’ folder.
3. Choose the “Empty Junk” option.
4. Click Yes to confirm deletion.

3. Check Thunderbird is Up-to-Date

1. Simply open Thunderbird and go to the Help tab.
2. Select About Thunderbird option.
3. Check the Thunderbird version and ensure it is up-to-date.
4. If it’s not, then click on “Restart to Update Thunderbird”.

4. Update Device to Fix Thunderbird Freezes Issues

If your Thunderbird running slow then the problem can be with your device also. Check for the latest update of the computer device you are using and update if you are using an Outdated version.

• For Mac:
  1. Go to Apple Menu and open System Settings.
  2. Click on the General tab and hit the Software Update option.
• For Windows:
  1. Start Windows Settings.
  2. Click on the Update & Security option.
  3. Open the Window Update tab.
  4. Click on the “Check for updates” option.

5. Turn Thunderbird Troubleshoot Mode Off

1. Start Thunderbird > Go to Help then select Troubleshoot Mode.
2. Hit the Restart button to fix Thunderbird freezes issue.
3. Now select an option from “Reset Toolbars & Controls” or “Disable all add-ons”.
4. Next, select “Continue the Troubleshoot Mode”.
5. Lastly press the “Turn Troubleshoot Mode Off”.

6. Compact Folders if Thunderbird is Slow

1. Simply open Thunderbird and touch on File tab.
2. Select “Compact Folders” option from the menu.
3. This will take some time. Wait for the Thunderbird to compact all the folders.

7. Recreate Thunderbird MSF (Mail Summary Files)

If you don’t know what is Thunderbird MSF file then it stands for Mail Summary file which is an index file of Thunderbird. MSF file only stores headers and summary of Thunderbird emails. Recreating this folder can help in resolving Thunderbird freezes and running slow issues.

1. Ensure the Thunderbird app is closed.
2. Press Win+R and type “%APPDATA% Command” and click “ok”.
3. Now you will be redirected to “App Data/ Roaming”.
4. Look for Thunderbird folder and open it.
5. Now find Thunderbird “Profile” folder.
6. The “Default Release” folder you see, contains all your Thunderbird data.

8. Uninstall Antivirus to Stop Thunderbird Freezing

Unauthorized Antivirus can also cause Thunderbird slow issues. However you can fix it by uninstalling the program. Simply open Control Panel > click ‘Uninstall a program’ > then select the Antivirus software > and Hit the uninstall button.

9. Fix Thunderbird Freezes Error by Saving Its Data in Another Format

So after trying to resolve Thunderbird slow and freezing error using manual ways, now it’s time to introduce an advanced approach that most of the professionals and businesses use. The best solution to overcome Thunderbird freezes and running extremely slow issues is by using the SysTools MBOX Converter software built for Mac and Windows both. It will save you from data loss and file corruption issues that you may encounter with manual methods. So rather than trying the risky methods, try the verified Thunderbird Converter.

Benefits of Using Tool to Resolve Thunderbird Extremely Slow Error

The users seem reckless buying a product, but if you will toggle more about this product you will come across more wonderful features among which few have been mentioned below:

• Retains the email structure after converting the emails.
• Allows to Transfer data file from Thunderbird in batch in a single go.
• Holds the Inline Images and HTML formatting of email body.
• Compatible with all the Mac and Windows Operating System Versions.
• Offers with naming convention and email filtration option.
• Restores all the Corrupted MBOX Files with an ease.

And if we see the other side of the problem there is no manual solution to resolve Thunderbird freezes or running extremely slow error. So, the users are bound to go for third party software. We have come across numerous tools that claims restoration of Thunderbird MBOX files but do not serve up to users expectations. So, one of the best product that we have used is Mac MBOX File Converter tool.

The Final Note

The entire write-up narrates the users regarding the topic How to fix Thunderbird freezes error with top 9 simple and effective methods.  The content solely declares that it will help users with a complete guide to resolve if their Thunderbird running slow.