Thunderbird is a desktop-based email client, storing data on the local machine in MBOX file format. It manages emails with folder like Inbox, Outbox, sent items, drafts, etc. Sometimes, a situation occurs where users encounter an error, which states that there is no more space left in Inbox folder to store messages. This forces user to delete few unwanted or wanted emails from that mailbox folders. Well, to understand the situation more clearly, go through following scenario:
“Currently, I have come across an Alert error statement i.e., The Inbox folder is full and no more message can be held. After receiving this error, I permanently deleted few waste emails, even from the Trash folder. I erased more than 1000 of messages and around half of the space would be freed from Inbox mailbox (as per my observation). But, the surprising fact is that I again faced this error when I opened Thunderbird. I asked my internet service provider and all the approaches recommended by him were useless. None of them worked out to resolve the error. Personally, I tried multiple shots to fix the error but, at the end, no successful outcome was there. Now, I am at the stage where I am finding no way to get rid of this problem. Is there any expert who can help me?”
Many Mozilla Thunderbird users have posted the mailbox issue. Therefore, we researched for the same and came up with tips and tricks to resolve it.
Compact and Backup: Simple and Major Approaches to Fix Thunderbird Error
The basic reason of the problem occurs is the improper data deletion. Whenever an individual deletes an email from Thunderbird (even from Trash folder), the deleted items are not removed. They are still present in MBOX or MSG database files, which can be regained by a technician. Basically, it means that data is not deleted and hence, no freeing up of the storage space. This is the reason why such issue occurs in Thunderbird, even after deleting messages.
To resolve the problem, there are only two measures i.e., Compact and Backup. So, let us now understand about both of them.
Compacting Thunderbird Folders
When email deletion takes place in Mozilla Thunderbird, it actually gets removed from mail folder. But, this is to be deleted properly by compacting the folder. It might be a big problem if you do not apply this solution because the file size will be increasing day-by-day until and unless Thunderbird scratches its head. Make it a weekly practice because it will decrease probability of ‘Thunderbird inbox is full and can’t hold any more messages’ error occurrence.
Backup Thunderbird Folders
This is an another approach to fix the discussed error in which users have to create a copy of their Thunderbird profile. They can opt for Thunderbird Backup Tool to carry out the same task. The software not only provides feature to backup mailboxes folders but, also equips features to access data on other email clients like Outlook.
Note: The error ‘Thunderbird inbox is full and can’t hold any more messages’ will never occur if clients are timely taking backup of their Thunderbird profile.
Time to Wrap Up
It is possible to fix this ‘Thunderbird inbox is full and can’t hold any more messages’ problem either by compacting folders or backing Thunderbird data. If the error still exists then, users can switch from Thunderbird to any other email client like MS Outlook. It provides more beneficial mailing and data management features than that of the older one. Hope readers find the blog helpful for themselves and we will be waiting for their valuable comments!