SMTP timeout error - 4.4.2 TB52.4.0

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lordgaz
Posts: 28
Joined: December 16th, 2004, 3:46 pm

SMTP timeout error - 4.4.2 TB52.4.0

Post by lordgaz »

Hi All

For the past week or so, I have been plagued with SMTP timeout errors - I have tried 3 different SMTP's and the issue does not resolve - Hence I feel it is Thunderbird/Host Computer/ or internet connection related, rather than anything external -

Messages with this error do not send, but end up in my "sent" folder which is not helping as often I am not sure if an email has sent or not - When I try to resend the message from the "sent" folder, it often sends without issue.
The problem is more pronounced it seems when sending larger attachments (max 6mb) or if I am replying to a long conversation - So I am wondering if it could be to do with gif signatures, and attachments - Anyway - some guidance would be appreciated - This has only been recently happening, and my email flow/recipients/email content has not changed much for 3 years.
Image

Running PC Win 10 8GB memory 500GB SSD (80% full)
lordgaz
Posts: 28
Joined: December 16th, 2004, 3:46 pm

Re: SMTP timeout error - 4.4.2 TB52.4.0

Post by lordgaz »

PS - my sent folder (local folder) size is 6.5GB(!) - I use my email for business and need to keep a copy of everything - Is there a limit on sent folder size in TB?
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DanRaisch
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Re: SMTP timeout error - 4.4.2 TB52.4.0

Post by DanRaisch »

Folder size might be more of a factor with a POP account than with an IMAP account. See this article -- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Limits_-_Thunderbird

How is the account set up in Thunderbird, as POP or IMAP? Find out using menu path Tools->Account Settings->Server Settings->Server Type at the top right of the dialogue.
Do you have the security software you are running on that system set to NOT scan outgoing messages?
lordgaz
Posts: 28
Joined: December 16th, 2004, 3:46 pm

Re: SMTP timeout error - 4.4.2 TB52.4.0

Post by lordgaz »

DanRaisch wrote:Folder size might be more of a factor with a POP account than with an IMAP account. See this article -- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Limits_-_Thunderbird

How is the account set up in Thunderbird, as POP or IMAP? Find out using menu path Tools->Account Settings->Server Settings->Server Type at the top right of the dialogue.
Do you have the security software you are running on that system set to NOT scan outgoing messages?
Hi Dan -
It is set up IMAP
I am using Windowws Defender, and I do not think it scans email - All of my email is also sent to Gmail which sends me warnings of any malicious content - it is quite thorough.
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DanRaisch
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Re: SMTP timeout error - 4.4.2 TB52.4.0

Post by DanRaisch »

Well, the point of asking about scanning outgoing messages was not about malicious content but the potential for those scans to delay sending to the point that the connection to the server times out. Apparently that is not a factor in this case.

Do you access that Gmail account from more than one computer and require access to sent messages when doing so? If not, you could change the target for saving Sent messages to the Sent folder on the local computer (Tools->Account Settings->Copies & Folders) to eliminate any lag due to storing the outgoing messages on the Gmail servers.
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tanstaafl
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Re: SMTP timeout error - 4.4.2 TB52.4.0

Post by tanstaafl »

Run a internet speed test such as http://beta.speedtest.net/ and see if the results are close to what you expect. I suggest you also ping the SMTP mail server from a console window (use CMD to create one) and see if it loses data. For example:

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.16299.19]
(c) 2017 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Eric>ping smtp.gmail.com

Pinging gmail-smtp-msa.l.google.com [173.194.175.108] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 173.194.175.108: bytes=32 time=29ms TTL=43
Reply from 173.194.175.108: bytes=32 time=28ms TTL=43
Reply from 173.194.175.108: bytes=32 time=37ms TTL=43
Reply from 173.194.175.108: bytes=32 time=28ms TTL=43

Ping statistics for 173.194.175.108:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 28ms, Maximum = 37ms, Average = 30ms


If you are using a Gmail SMTP server you should not configure that account in Thunderbird to save a copy (either locally or remote) as the Gmail SMTP server always saves a copy in the remote "sent mail" folder.
lordgaz
Posts: 28
Joined: December 16th, 2004, 3:46 pm

Re: SMTP timeout error - 4.4.2 TB52.4.0

Post by lordgaz »

DanRaisch wrote:Well, the point of asking about scanning outgoing messages was not about malicious content but the potential for those scans to delay sending to the point that the connection to the server times out. Apparently that is not a factor in this case.

Do you access that Gmail account from more than one computer and require access to sent messages when doing so? If not, you could change the target for saving Sent messages to the Sent folder on the local computer (Tools->Account Settings->Copies & Folders) to eliminate any lag due to storing the outgoing messages on the Gmail servers.
Sorry - My information was misleading - All sent items are stored on a local folder only (current size 6gb odd) - The gmail only holds copies of incoming messages - Sorry for the confusion.
lordgaz
Posts: 28
Joined: December 16th, 2004, 3:46 pm

Re: SMTP timeout error - 4.4.2 TB52.4.0

Post by lordgaz »

tanstaafl wrote:Run a internet speed test such as http://beta.speedtest.net/ and see if the results are close to what you expect. I suggest you also ping the SMTP mail server from a console window (use CMD to create one) and see if it loses data. For example:

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.16299.19]
(c) 2017 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Eric>ping smtp.gmail.com

Pinging gmail-smtp-msa.l.google.com [173.194.175.108] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 173.194.175.108: bytes=32 time=29ms TTL=43
Reply from 173.194.175.108: bytes=32 time=28ms TTL=43
Reply from 173.194.175.108: bytes=32 time=37ms TTL=43
Reply from 173.194.175.108: bytes=32 time=28ms TTL=43

Ping statistics for 173.194.175.108:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 28ms, Maximum = 37ms, Average = 30ms


If you are using a Gmail SMTP server you should not configure that account in Thunderbird to save a copy (either locally or remote) as the Gmail SMTP server always saves a copy in the remote "sent mail" folder.
Hi - I tried this with the three SMTP server options I have
No packet loss



C:\Users\User>ping smtp.livemail.co.uk

Pinging smtp.livemail.co.uk [213.171.216.50] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 213.171.216.50: bytes=32 time=35ms TTL=247
Reply from 213.171.216.50: bytes=32 time=39ms TTL=247
Reply from 213.171.216.50: bytes=32 time=41ms TTL=247
Reply from 213.171.216.50: bytes=32 time=51ms TTL=247

Ping statistics for 213.171.216.50:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 35ms, Maximum = 51ms, Average = 41ms

C:\Users\User>ping mail.btinternet.com

Pinging mail.btinternet.bt.lon5.cpcloud.co.uk [65.20.0.43] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 65.20.0.43: bytes=32 time=37ms TTL=248
Reply from 65.20.0.43: bytes=32 time=17ms TTL=248
Reply from 65.20.0.43: bytes=32 time=31ms TTL=248
Reply from 65.20.0.43: bytes=32 time=50ms TTL=248

Ping statistics for 65.20.0.43:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 17ms, Maximum = 50ms, Average = 33ms

C:\Users\User>ping smtp.popom.com

Pinging smtp.popom.com [213.171.216.50] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 213.171.216.50: bytes=32 time=20ms TTL=247
Reply from 213.171.216.50: bytes=32 time=45ms TTL=247
Reply from 213.171.216.50: bytes=32 time=30ms TTL=247
Reply from 213.171.216.50: bytes=32 time=20ms TTL=247

Ping statistics for 213.171.216.50:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 20ms, Maximum = 45ms, Average = 28ms
lordgaz
Posts: 28
Joined: December 16th, 2004, 3:46 pm

Re: SMTP timeout error - 4.4.2 TB52.4.0

Post by lordgaz »

lordgaz wrote:
tanstaafl wrote:Run a internet speed test such as http://beta.speedtest.net/ and see if the results are close to what you expect. I suggest you also ping the SMTP mail server from a console window (use CMD to create one) and see if it loses data. For example:

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.16299.19]
(c) 2017 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Eric>ping smtp.gmail.com

Pinging gmail-smtp-msa.l.google.com [173.194.175.108] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 173.194.175.108: bytes=32 time=29ms TTL=43
Reply from 173.194.175.108: bytes=32 time=28ms TTL=43
Reply from 173.194.175.108: bytes=32 time=37ms TTL=43
Reply from 173.194.175.108: bytes=32 time=28ms TTL=43

Ping statistics for 173.194.175.108:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 28ms, Maximum = 37ms, Average = 30ms


If you are using a Gmail SMTP server you should not configure that account in Thunderbird to save a copy (either locally or remote) as the Gmail SMTP server always saves a copy in the remote "sent mail" folder.
Hi - I tried this with the three SMTP server options I have
No packet loss



C:\Users\User>ping smtp.livemail.co.uk

Pinging smtp.livemail.co.uk [213.171.216.50] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 213.171.216.50: bytes=32 time=35ms TTL=247
Reply from 213.171.216.50: bytes=32 time=39ms TTL=247
Reply from 213.171.216.50: bytes=32 time=41ms TTL=247
Reply from 213.171.216.50: bytes=32 time=51ms TTL=247

Ping statistics for 213.171.216.50:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 35ms, Maximum = 51ms, Average = 41ms

C:\Users\User>ping mail.btinternet.com

Pinging mail.btinternet.bt.lon5.cpcloud.co.uk [65.20.0.43] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 65.20.0.43: bytes=32 time=37ms TTL=248
Reply from 65.20.0.43: bytes=32 time=17ms TTL=248
Reply from 65.20.0.43: bytes=32 time=31ms TTL=248
Reply from 65.20.0.43: bytes=32 time=50ms TTL=248

Ping statistics for 65.20.0.43:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 17ms, Maximum = 50ms, Average = 33ms

C:\Users\User>ping smtp.popom.com

Pinging smtp.popom.com [213.171.216.50] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 213.171.216.50: bytes=32 time=20ms TTL=247
Reply from 213.171.216.50: bytes=32 time=45ms TTL=247
Reply from 213.171.216.50: bytes=32 time=30ms TTL=247
Reply from 213.171.216.50: bytes=32 time=20ms TTL=247

Ping statistics for 213.171.216.50:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 20ms, Maximum = 45ms, Average = 28ms

PS - Upload is 0.2mb - 0.4mb and download 7mb
Fairly normal (and terrible!)
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DanRaisch
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Joined: September 23rd, 2004, 8:57 pm
Location: Somewhere on the right coast

Re: SMTP timeout error - 4.4.2 TB52.4.0

Post by DanRaisch »

With a local Sent folder size over 6MB you should divide migrate some of those messages into other folders. See this article -- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Archiving_your_e-mail

I would try to get the actual Sent folder down to something under 1GB. Be sure to compact that folder after all messages to be archived are safely copied into new locations.
lordgaz
Posts: 28
Joined: December 16th, 2004, 3:46 pm

Re: SMTP timeout error - 4.4.2 TB52.4.0

Post by lordgaz »

DanRaisch wrote:With a local Sent folder size over 6MB you should divide migrate some of those messages into other folders. See this article -- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Archiving_your_e-mail

I would try to get the actual Sent folder down to something under 1GB. Be sure to compact that folder after all messages to be archived are safely copied into new locations.
Thank you - I have indeed created a new subfolder in the local sent folder and things seem to be working better (fingers crossed) - Seems 6GB is just a bit too large for a local sent subfolder.

Thank you for all your help
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DanRaisch
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Joined: September 23rd, 2004, 8:57 pm
Location: Somewhere on the right coast

Re: SMTP timeout error - 4.4.2 TB52.4.0

Post by DanRaisch »

You're welcome.
lordgaz
Posts: 28
Joined: December 16th, 2004, 3:46 pm

Re: SMTP timeout error - 4.4.2 TB52.4.0

Post by lordgaz »

lordgaz wrote:
DanRaisch wrote:With a local Sent folder size over 6MB you should divide migrate some of those messages into other folders. See this article -- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Archiving_your_e-mail

I would try to get the actual Sent folder down to something under 1GB. Be sure to compact that folder after all messages to be archived are safely copied into new locations.
Thank you - I have indeed created a new subfolder in the local sent folder and things seem to be working better (fingers crossed) - Seems 6GB is just a bit too large for a local sent subfolder.

Thank you for all your help
Unfortunately this issue is still ongoing - It was a coincidence that creating a new sent folder temporarily solved this issue - I am still having issues sending email almost every time - I cannot seem to find a cause of the time out errors. Currently running TB in safe mode to see if that improves anything.
Meanwhile, if anyone else has an idea for this, please chime in.
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tanstaafl
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Re: SMTP timeout error - 4.4.2 TB52.4.0

Post by tanstaafl »

Are you able to open message with large attachments, in your inbox? The reason I ask is if you are having connection problems I'd expect them to also effect the IMAP account.

Are you using a WiFi connection to a router or a Ethernet connection? A couple of times a similar problem has been traced to the router settings when using WiFi. I never got the details on exactly what was changed though. Perhaps it was just a poor signal.
lordgaz
Posts: 28
Joined: December 16th, 2004, 3:46 pm

Re: SMTP timeout error - 4.4.2 TB52.4.0

Post by lordgaz »

tanstaafl wrote:Are you able to open message with large attachments, in your inbox? The reason I ask is if you are having connection problems I'd expect them to also effect the IMAP account.

Are you using a WiFi connection to a router or a Ethernet connection? A couple of times a similar problem has been traced to the router settings when using WiFi. I never got the details on exactly what was changed though. Perhaps it was just a poor signal.
Thank you for the reply.

Receiving is no problem - All emails with all sizes of attachment are coming in ok
I have an ethernet connection + wifi connection to the router (and switching between them does not help the issue) - It is worth mentioning that this is a new issue from around start of November - had 4 years of trouble free sending up to this point
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