How to Reindex Thunderbird Local Folders and Messages [ Error Resolved]
Sometimes, a situation occurs where Mozilla clients are unable to open Thunderbird folders or messages. They encounter one or the another error like: Reindex Thunderbird Folders & Database when trying to open messages for reading them. Apart from this, there is one more unexpected behavior in the application where users find deleted messages again listed in a folder. This misbehavior of Mozilla email application leads to an interruption in ongoing mailing work.
Problems Faced by Users :
Well, a query strikes in mind that why this problem: thunderbird reindex message occurs? The answer to the same is corruption in database files of Thunderbird. Primarily, there are two file formats that are originated by this email client i.e., MBOX and MSF file. A MBOX file comprises of several messages in one. On the other hand, an MSF file comprises of email summary that holds the indexing part of each folder.
Coming back to the problem then, the major cause of it is corruption in MSF files of Thunderbird. If the index files of Thunderbird gets damaged then, one will be facing unexpected behavior in messages. Few of the behavioral problems are mentioned below :
- Deleted emails will still be present in Thunderbird folder
- When clicking on Inbox folder, app will display an error
- All the messages will disappear without any prior notice
- Email duplicacy problem gets started in the email client
All the above-mentioned disasters in Thunderbird will be caused due to the presence of corruption in MSF / MBOX file.
What to Do When Thunderbird Fails to Reindex Local Folders
Users need to forcefully Reindex Thunderbird Folders and messages in order to fix the issue. Mozilla Thunderbird itself provides an option to recreate MSF files. Go through the following set of instructions for the same :
1. On your PC, navigate towards the location where corrupted MSF folder is located
2. Select the corrupted MSF folder and right-click upon it
3. Choose Properties and then click on General tab for continuing with procedure to re-index Thunderbird folder and messages
4. In the current wizard, you will find a Repair Folder button. Click on this to manually repair Thunderbird files.
5. A message window appears in which you have to hit on OK
Note: In order to avoid the chances of conflicting conditions occurrence, users need to disable Automatic Mail Checking.
If you want to resolve problem in a way that it do not occurs in future again then, permanently delete MSF files from Thunderbird profile. Once you are done with this, recreate the file just by restarting Thunderbird next time.
Reindex Thunderbird Folders & Database
The solution provided above belongs to an individual folder of Mozilla Thunderbird profile. But, if there are several folders then, the discussed approach will not work. For doing the same, you have to follow upcoming steps :
a) Ensure that Mozilla Thunderbird is not in the running mode
b) Launch the Profile Directory of Thunderbird email client
c) Navigate towards the targeted data folder of the account
a) Under ImapMail Folder you will encounter IMAP accounts, and
b) Under Mail/Local folder, all POP mail accounts will be listed
d) Navigate the MSF files, which are corresponding to folders through which you need to reindex thunderbird email.
e) Now, delete MSF files and move them to Trash folder
f) Start Mozilla Thunderbird for re-indexing Thunderbird folder
The manual solution to repair MSF file is available, which is explained here as re-indexing of Thunderbird database messages. Now a question arises that how can one fix corrupt MBOX file ? Till today’s date, there is no manual approach present to deal with corrupted .mbox files. You have to opt for a third party Solution that removes corruption from Thunderbird MBOX file and thus, fix the issue.
Best Alternative Solution
MBOX to PST Conversion Tool is designed with an intelligent feature to deal with corrupt .mbox files. It works with file corruption of any level either it is major or minor. There is file size limitation imposed in the exporter tool to handle corrupt MBOX files. The product works in a way that it extracts all messages from processed file and displays them on its preview wizard. Not only this but, tool also provides a way to save recovered emails (with attachments) on the local machine.
Conclusion
The write up provides solution to Reindex Thunderbird Folders and messages. If users think that corruption is caused due to corruption in MSF files then, without any doubt they can opt for manual approach. But, when it comes to MBOX file corruption then, one needs to opt for a third party application.