After TB 31.5.0 cannot send or receive gmail. Spinning status wheel. Server timeout.

Question

Updated to 31.5.0 and now cannot send or receive gmail from my desktop. Message is that the server timed out and there is a spinning status wheel. Windows 8.1. Tried reinstalling, rebooting, running TB in safe mode, turning off Win firewall, disabling Avast system security, compacting folders. I can get/send mail at the gmail website and on my iPhone so the problem appears to be specific to Thunderbird 31.5.0 My laptop has an older version of TB and it does not have the problem. Luckily I was able to shut it down before TB 31.5.0 could automatically download.

Answer 1

To diagnose problems with Thunderbird, try the following:
Restart the operating system in '''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safe_mode safe mode with Networking]'''. This loads only the very basics needed to start your computer while enabling an Internet connection. Click on your operating system for instructions on how to start in safe mode: [http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/windows-startup-settings-including-safe-mode Windows 8], [http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/start-computer-safe-mode#start-computer-safe-mode=windows-7 Windows 7], [http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/start-computer-safe-mode#start-computer-safe-mode=windows-vista Windows Vista], [http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/boot_failsafe.mspx?mfr=true" Windows XP], [http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1564 OSX]
; If safe mode for the operating system fixes the issue, there's other software in your computer that's causing problems. Possibilities include but not limited to: AV scanning, virus/malware, background downloads such as program updates.