Open Bug 1586699 Opened 5 years ago Updated 2 years ago

"Thunderbird can't update to the latest version. ... Download a fresh copy..." Alert/Warning/Notice, but "Thunderbird is already up-to-date"

Categories

(Thunderbird :: General, defect)

Product:
Thunderbird
Component:
General
Platform:
x86
Windows
Type:
defect

Tracking

(Not tracked)

People

(Reporter: ikkeavdenne, Unassigned)

References

Details

User Story

In some cases, reporters have also commented in other users' topics

*  https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1270289  unknown

* https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1272023  Kaspersky, perhaps

* https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1272021  Kaspersky

* https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1271866  Kaspersky cited by multiple users, BUT Terry (who is doing some nice investigative work) also writes "Two things there. Kaspersky's protection and Kaspersky's software update module.  The update module is already ruled out - because it's an add on not available in the free version and anyway doesn't directly interact beyond version checking - and then lists updates within itself, not as an automated pop up. But Kaspersky protection might have an effect. It seems to be a common thread."

* https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1269873  unknown

* https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1269619  multiple users, Kaspersky

* https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1269431  unknown

Attachments

(9 files, 3 obsolete files)

02.jpg
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03.jpg
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Show-Update-History.png
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Thunderbird - version 68.1.2 installed, cleaned update history, auto update notice displayed.png
143.94 KB, image/png
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Thunderbird 68.2.1 - network exchange during symptom.har
79.92 KB, application/octet-stream
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Kaspersky Endpoint Security - Network Settings - Trusted Domains.png
42.53 KB, image/png
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thunder.jpg
97.80 KB, image/jpeg
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thunder.png
70.81 KB, image/png
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test-updates-output.html
9.39 KB, text/html
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Attached image 02.jpg —

User Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/77.0.3865.90 Safari/537.36

Steps to reproduce:

Nothing. At certain times, a message is received that "Thunderbird can't update to the latest version" (see attached screenshot). However the version is already up-to-date (and is shown as "updated" when you press "information about thunderbird"). This is a Swedish version installed on top of and replacing an English version. Downloading and installing again doesn't stop the behaviour. I think the screenshot shows the problem.

Maybe some update got screwed. I suggest to remove the updates directory, the standard location is:
C:\Users\your-username\AppData\Local\Thunderbird\updates

(In reply to Jorg K (GMT+2) from comment #1)

Maybe some update got screwed. I suggest to remove the updates directory, the standard location is:
C:\Users\your-username\AppData\Local\Thunderbird\updates

Hi Jorg,

Thanks for the information. The directory was empty, but I deleted it anyway. It has made no difference on either of my machines (32-bit and 64-bit Windows 10). It's not important. I simply reported it as a bug.

Best regards,
J

I have exactly the same symptom on my Thunderbird installation (Windows 10).

  • Version in about dialog is 68.1.1 (32-bit), with the "Thunderbird is up to date" message
  • In Tools > Options > Advanced > Update,
  • using the "Check for Updates" button simply refresh the message "Thunderbird is up to date"
  • /!\ the update "68.1.1" is not displayed in the "Update history" (last is 68.1.0)
    It might indicate a problem related to the latest 68.1.1 installer ?
  • directory C:\Users\your-username\AppData\Local\Thunderbird\updates is empty

Ping me if I can provide any other useful information or perform any action.

Maybe you can attach a better (small) screenshot of the "can't update" message. I don' t understand the Swedish.

Attached image 03.jpg —

Please find attached a capture of my version in about window and update history.
This is not the main symptom, but I thought you might find it useful for diagnostic.

I will make a screen capture of the symptom the next time it occurs.

Attached image Show-Update-History.png —

I can not reproduce on Ubuntu 18.04.3 LTS Linux.

Mozilla/5.0 (X11; Linux x86_64; rv:68.0) Gecko/20100101 Thunderbird/68.1.1

OS: Unspecified → Windows 10
Hardware: Unspecified → x86

Capture of the symptom which just happened again.

Some additional informations retrieved from the troubleshooting page :

  Application Basics

    Name: Thunderbird
    Version: 68.1.1
    Build ID: 20190924105435

    Update Channel: release
    User Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; WOW64; rv:68.0) Gecko/20100101 Thunderbird/68.1.1
    OS: Windows_NT 10.0

    Launcher Process: Enabled
    Multiprocess Windows: 0/0
              Disabled
    Remote Processes: 0
    Enterprise Policies: Inactive
    Google Location Service Key: Missing
    Google Safebrowsing Key: Missing
    Mozilla Location Service Key: Missing
    Safe Mode: false

I've got exactly the same symptoms on Thunderbird 68.1.1 on Windows 10 64bit using the English version again the update directory exists but is empty. Suggestion is that maybe the issue lies in writing to that directory? Perhaps running the installer as Administrator is needed?

Troubleshooting info
Application Basics

Name: Thunderbird
Version: 68.1.1
Build ID: 20190924105435

Update Channel: release
User Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; WOW64; rv:68.0) Gecko/20100101 Thunderbird/68.1.1
OS: Windows_NT 10.0

Launcher Process: Enabled
Multiprocess Windows: 0/0
          Disabled
Remote Processes: 0
Enterprise Policies: Inactive
Google Location Service Key: Missing
Google Safebrowsing Key: Missing
Mozilla Location Service Key: Missing
Safe Mode: false

Robert, are you still working on the updaters? What could be behind this strange behaviour?

Flags: needinfo?(robert.strong.bugs)
Summary: Message that can't update, but is already up-to-date → Notice that Thunderbird can't update, but is already up-to-date

I installed the 68.1.2 version yesterday, unfortunately the same symptoms still occurs as you can see in the attached capture :

  • the version number is correct in troubleshooting information and about window
  • Pb 1 : the update history does not contains the newly installed version
  • Pb 2 : the notice "Thunderbird can't update to the latest version." is displayed

Do not hesitate to request some action on my side if I can help in the debugging process.

Attachment #9099587 - Attachment is obsolete: true
Attachment #9099867 - Attachment is obsolete: true

(In reply to Jorg K (GMT+2) from comment #1)

Maybe some update got screwed. I suggest to remove the updates directory, the standard location is:
C:\Users\your-username\AppData\Local\Thunderbird\updates

I just noticed that there's another update folder on the system:
C:\ProgramData\Mozilla\updates

Maybe deleting this will solve the issue.

There are indeed 3 directories in : C:\ProgramData\Mozilla\updates

  • 8216C80C92C4E828, for Thunderbird
  • 308046B0AF4A39CB, for Firefox
  • CA9422711AE1A81C, for Firefox Developer Edition

While Thunderbid was not launched, I deleted the "8216C80C92C4E828", then started Thunderbird again.
(I have kept the content of this directory should you need it for diagnostic)

  • There is no longer any entries in the Update History (obviously).
  • I have to wait a couple of day to know if the "Thunderbird can't update to the latest version." notice is still displayed or no.

I have deselected the Auto-Update option in Thunderbird. I then updated to the latest version '.2' manually,
After doing this I haven't received any messages relating to the version being out of date. Of course this is unsurprising!

This suggests that it is the auto-updating process that is having an issue finding the version that is in use. When I used to be a developer (long since retired) I would normally check the version in the running instance against the update server/service rather than use information stored externally to the application.

I hope this is of help in resolving the issue.

As you can see in the attached screen capture, the notice "Thunderbird can't update to the latest version." is still displayed, even after a cleanup of the update directory (C:\ProgramData\Mozilla\updates\8216C80C92C4E828)

It definitely looks like a bug in the auto-update check.

Attachment #9102702 - Attachment is obsolete: true

Well turning off Auto-update hasn't worked it's still saying it can't update to the current version.
I expected the behaviour to be

  1. tell me there is a new version of Thunderbird available.
  2. then offer to try and update, not to try and update itself.

Though I have auto-update switched off, Thunderbird decided it would update itself to 68.2.0. This was announced by Thunderbird's installation having disappeared and when I tried to run it, the instance saying a restart would be needed to complete the installation.
After restarting 68.2.0 is there but not listed as being there in the update history.

Can the auto-updating without permission be added as a bug as well please.

The last version recorded as being installed is 60.8.0, though all intermediate updates have been successfully installed.

These messages appear to relate to updating from 32-bit Thunderbird to 64-bit Thunderbird.
This could be a consequence of bug 1556748, "Implement balrog rule to update 64-bit Windows OS users who are running 32-bit Thunderbird".

  1. The screen-shots with "About Thunderbird" all show the 32-bit version of Thunderbird.
  2. Where reporters have provided the User-Agent, this shows 32-bit Thunderbird on 64-bit Windows.

Rob, any insight?

Flags: needinfo?(rob)

I have updated Thunderbird to 64 bit let's see if that cures the problem.

Perhaps one item to note is that it's not easy to find the 64 bit version of Thunderbird, be default if you go to the Download site it provides the 32 bit version and doesn't give any choice.
Though not critical the 64 bit is installing in the 32 bit program files directory not the 64 bit program directory.
After installing it's still not showing in the update history.

details of installed version

Application Basics

Name: Thunderbird
Version: 68.2.1
Build ID: 20191030212137

Update Channel: release
User Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:68.0) Gecko/20100101 Thunderbird/68.2.1
OS: Windows_NT 10.0

Launcher Process: Enabled
Multiprocess Windows: 0/0
          Disabled
Remote Processes: 0
Enterprise Policies: Inactive
Google Location Service Key: Missing
Google Safebrowsing Key: Missing
Mozilla Location Service Key: Missing
Safe Mode: false

(In reply to Jorg K (GMT+2) from comment #22)

Rob, any insight?
Nothing comes to mind really. I'll set up a test scenario here though and try to reproduce this.

(In reply to Doug Taylor from comment #23)

Though not critical the 64 bit is installing in the 32 bit program files directory not the 64 bit program directory.
After installing it's still not showing in the update history.

That is intentional, and should only happen when installing on top of an existing 32-bit install. A fresh install goes in "C:\Program Files" as one would expect.

Flags: needinfo?(rob)
Flags: needinfo?(rob)

moving to 64 bit Thunderbird doesn't cure the problem, must be something to do with detecting the version in use

(In reply to Doug Taylor from comment #26)

moving to 64 bit Thunderbird doesn't cure the problem, must be something to do with detecting the version in use

The daily auto-update check, here, queries this URL to check for updates to the current version. The URL has the correct version in use, 68.2.0. I see the same "Thunderbird can't update to the latest version" as the other reports.
https://aus.thunderbird.net/update/6/Thunderbird/68.2.0/20191021120853/WINNT_x86-msvc-x64/en-GB/release/Windows_NT%2010.0.0.0.18362.418%20(x64)/ISET:SSE4_2,MEM:32659/default/default/update.xml?mig64=1

FWIW "Help >> About Thunderbird" queries this URL (which has an extra parameter). "About Thunderbird" says Thunderbird is up to date.
https://aus.thunderbird.net/update/6/Thunderbird/68.2.0/20191021120853/WINNT_x86-msvc-x64/en-GB/release/Windows_NT%2010.0.0.0.18362.418%20(x64)/ISET:SSE4_2,MEM:32659/default/default/update.xml?force=1&mig64=1

Andrei, any idea how to go about pinning down this issue. It's not related to update queries, is it?

Flags: needinfo?(sancus)

(In reply to Jorg K (GMT+2) from comment #28)

Andrei, any idea how to go about pinning down this issue. It's not related to update queries, is it?

I honestly don't know much of anything about AUS or its replies. The thunderbird.net server just redirects to aus5.mozilla.org with the full contents of the URL and query string. Probably need to reproduce the issue locally to understand what's going on, as just at a glance, the responses to those queries in comment #27 look normal/correct to me at least...

I assume rob is going to work on that.

Flags: needinfo?(sancus)

Yes those URLs are correct for a 32-bit 68.2.0 on win64 OS.
My attempts to reproduce didn't work out yet because of VM issues. I'll work on it some more.

Flags: needinfo?(rob)

Don't know whether this will be helpful or not, but for me the notification pops up around 14:00 UZT, irrespective of how many hours the instance has been running, usually it's > 6 hours but can be less than 1.

(In reply to Doug Taylor from comment #31)

Don't know whether this will be helpful or not, but for me the notification pops up around 14:00 UZT, irrespective of how many hours the instance has been running, usually it's > 6 hours but can be less than 1.

If this is consistently happening for you, you could go to Tools -> Developer Tools -> Developer Toolbox, accept the prompt and then leave the Network tab open while that happens. Then right click on the window and you should be able to 'Save All as HAR' to a file that contains the network data. You can attach it here. That might at least confirm whether or not there is a server side or client side issue(or both).

Exactly like Doug, I'm having the problem everyday around noon.

So I did as you said and proceeded to a recording of the network exchange including the update request and other request for plugin check version.

Please find it attached. I hope it will help you find the culprit !

(In reply to Andrei Hajdukewycz [:sancus] from comment #32)

(In reply to Doug Taylor from comment #31)

Don't know whether this will be helpful or not, but for me the notification pops up around 14:00 UZT, irrespective of how many hours the instance has been running, usually it's > 6 hours but can be less than 1.

If this is consistently happening for you, you could go to Tools -> Developer Tools -> Developer Toolbox, accept the prompt and then leave the Network tab open while that happens. Then right click on the window and you should be able to 'Save All as HAR' to a file that contains the network data. You can attach it here. That might at least confirm whether or not there is a server side or client side issue(or both).

Just too late today, but I see the Olivier has provided a copy of his file, I noted that the his cookie expiry time is set to 13:50 GMT (UZT), which explains the timing I see being based in the UK and so at the moment running on GMT.

I am experiencing the same issue, ever since I upgraded from 60.x to 68.x The initial install of 60.x was x86 based. Once, 68.x came out, my first install was "over" the existing installation. Since then I got the "thunderbird cannot update" message. In due course, I uninstalled v68.x and did a fresh install again - which did not help.

The problem exists on all of my machines, which are either running on Win10 or Linux Mint 19.2.

(In reply to Olivier Jaquemet from comment #33)

So I did as you said and proceeded to a recording of the network exchange including the update request and other request for plugin check version.

Please find it attached. I hope it will help you find the culprit !

So the odd thing to me is that this log file doesn't include a request to aus5.mozilla.org. The 302 response from aus.thunderbird.net looks normal and includes the correct URL.

When the update request works normally, there should immediately be a new http request to aus5.mozilla.org. But there's not. So is some weird interaction or bug causing Thunderbird to not follow 302s on the update request and just immediately erroring?

Some more information (may be a different bug, but perhaps helps to lacte source of problem):

  1. Thunderbird does no longer store settings for default address book to be used for addressing => reverts back to "collected addresses" after restart
  2. When adding a calendar entry with an invitation to someone (who is included in your address book), there is not look up of the contact when typing the name. I need to type in the entire email adress manually.

I am using TBsync (version 2.4) for sync'ing addressbook and calendar information.

Some especaially bad fallout from this behavior - a beta user got this notice and the download URL presented was our main page, NOT the beta download page. So he installed the release version and ended up breifly "losing" his profile because he got downgraded, without notice - https://support.mozilla.org/questions/1272733

Another support post, but unclear yet if it is related to this bug https://support.mozilla.org/questions/1271866

Someone who is consistently experiencing this could try changing the app.update.url pref to: https://aus5.mozilla.org/update/6/%PRODUCT%/%VERSION%/%BUILD_ID%/%BUILD_TARGET%/%LOCALE%/%CHANNEL%/%OS_VERSION%/%SYSTEM_CAPABILITIES%/%DISTRIBUTION%/%DISTRIBUTION_VERSION%/update.xml

This is basically replacing the domain 'aus.thunderbird.net' with 'aus5.mozilla.org' -- it's important that you don't change any of the rest of the string.

If that fixes it, it would at possibly confirm that the 302 redirect is causing an issue, even if it doesn't explain why some people have Thunderbird installs that won't follow 302s.

Follow up question: Do the reporters or others experiencing this issue have any kind of anti-virus software installed and if so, which one?

(In reply to Andrei Hajdukewycz [:sancus] from comment #41)

Follow up question: Do the reporters or others experiencing this issue have any kind of anti-virus software installed and if so, which one?

I am experiencing this same problem and I use Kaspersky anti-virus.

Kaspersky here too

Kaspersky here, too. (I also do not see a request to aus5.mozilla.org after the 302 response from aus.thunderbird.net.)

Make that 3 Kaspersky users

(In reply to Doug Taylor from comment #45)
Make that 4 Kaspersky users

I'm using Kaspersky Total Security, so there is TCP/IP level protection as well as Anti-virus protection at that may be the issue.

Trying the alternate link in a webbrowser given in comment 40, I get a 400 error

error below

400 ERROR
The request could not be satisfied.
Bad request. We can't connect to the server for this app or website at this time. There might be too much traffic or a configuration error. Try again later, or contact the app or website owner.
If you provide content to customers through CloudFront, you can find steps to troubleshoot and help prevent this error by reviewing the CloudFront documentation.
Generated by cloudfront (CloudFront)
Request ID: nD8SPFRlBWkfWT17Hz2z2AYO2Cas96lIVP-ZnSmZkcSa3rLIr0Eanw==

Kaspersky Anti Virus is also installed on my Windows machine. (I'll double check whether this problem really occurs on my Linux Mint machines, too or whether I was mistaken).

I've started an experiment.

I have a 32 bit Windows 10 machine without any Anti-Virus software (long story, but it's only used to connect to a customer's site, that insist on handling all the security)

It had Thunderbird installed 52.9.1, (ancient I know, but MS Exchange is the mail client on that machine) that auto-updated to 60.9.1 and that was recorded in the update history.

It seemed to then think it was completely updated.

I then updated it to 68.2.2, which is the version on offer on the download site.

This update went through successfully but is NOT recorded in the update history, there is no record in users...\apdata\local\thunderbird\updates.

I will see what happens around 14:00 and report back.

But it's interesting that the 64bit version with Kaspersky is saying (Help - About) that the version 68.2.1 is the latest of course that may be true as it is 64 bit not 32 bit.

I will see what happens around 14:00 and report back.

Ah, the 14:00 thing. To my knowledge, Thunderbird doesn't do anything special at that time, but other software might ... ;-)

Flags: needinfo?(robert.strong.bugs)

It's when the update cookie expires on my machine so its probably user/machine dependent and is just 24 hours from the last time.
But also remember, we are all in different time zones, so 14:00 GMT/UZT may be a completely different time to you.

Imgur

I have the same issue. I have KAV too

Thanks.

Status: UNCONFIRMED → NEW
User Story: (updated)
Component: Untriaged → General
Ever confirmed: true
OS: Windows 10 → Windows
Summary: Notice that Thunderbird can't update, but is already up-to-date → "Thunderbird can't update to the latest version. ... Download a fresh copy..." Alert/Warning/Notice, but "Thunderbird is already up-to-date"

In relation to Kaspersky, one thing I should add is the full version does include a software update tool , this will detect that Thunderbird is actually out of date (some time after an update is actually available) and will offer to update T'bird. This it has always done successfully.

Also I have had no 'out of date' notification today, strange really.

Kaspersky user too. version 11.1.1.126 on my Win10, administered by the IT guys.

Notifications have stopped on all my Windows machines that have Thunderbird installed. But the 64 bit version of Thunderbird was not detecting that it was out of date.

Check for updates said it was on the latest version, though it wasn't! 68.2.1 not 68.2.2.

Update History still broken.

@Doug Taylor

Quick question. Is there an update history on Thunderbird? Where is it? Thanks.

Tools menu - Options - Advanced - Update tab and its a button (Show Update History) on there.

Kaspersky does seem to be an element.

32 bit machine no Kaspersky 68.2.2 no warning 68.2.2 release version
64 bit machine kaspersky 68.2.1 no warning when 68.2.2 is release version
64 bit machine kaspersky 68.2.2 warning that version is out of date, so the logic appears to be inverted, but whether this is due it being a 64 bit machine or kaspersky is not certain.

Questions for who develop that part.
The Thunderbird about dialog checks about the availability of a new version.
The code behind the pop up message on the main window checks the availability of a new version.

My question: Is the code in both cases the same? Or not?

Thanks.

We are affected by the same problem.

Using Bitdefender and NetworkBox (a transparent proxy that logs all traffic) for network protection here.

Maybe the update check can't cope with certificate validation on https when the certificate is custom signed?

Thanks, will see if that makes a difference on my Kaspersky machines.

I submitted a bug report to Kaspersky.

(In reply to Doug Taylor from comment #62)

Thanks, will see if that makes a difference on my Kaspersky machines.

Did excluding aus.thunderbird.net work for you?

Did you also exclude aus5.mozilla.org?

(In reply to Tom Usher from comment #64)

(In reply to Doug Taylor from comment #62)

Thanks, will see if that makes a difference on my Kaspersky machines.

Did excluding aus.thunderbird.net work for you?

Did you also exclude aus5.mozilla.org?

I also use Kaspersky (free version). I followed the instructions for the workaround linked in Comment #61 from Tom Usher. I have NOT seen the problem in the past 2 days since following those instructions. I believe I would have seen it by now. Below is a copy of those instructions:

Here's a workaround for Kaspersky Internet Security (KIS): Exclude aus.thunderbird.net. Explained:

KIS > Settings > Protection > Mail Anti-Virus and Anti-Spam are enabled at their defaults settings.

KIS > Settings > Additional > Network > Monitor all network ports is selected.

KIS > Settings > Additional > Network > Always scan encrypted connections is selected. "If Kaspersky Internet Security is operating in automatic protection mode, Kaspersky Internet Security automatically terminates any connection that uses an invalid certificate, without displaying any notification." https://help.kaspersky.com/KIS/2020/en-US/68219.htm

KIS > Settings > Additional > Network > Manage Exclusions > Add > aus.thunderbird.net > Add.

aus.thunderbird.net is the domain used by Thunderbird (TB) for updates. Perhaps it has a certificate problem; and, because KIS's default is "automatic protection mode" (https://help.kaspersky.com/KIS/2020/en-US/68151.htm), KIS isn't popping a notification.

You can find/verify the domain in TB config: Tools > Options > Advanced [on the left] > General [tab] > Config Editor > paste app.update.url in the search box
app.update.url;https://aus.thunderbird.net/[...].

Paste app.update in the search box. The following should be set as follows if you want TB to check and notify you (in all the ways it apparently can) of available updates:
app.update.doorhanger;true
app.update.service.enabled;true
app.update.silent;false

FWIW, there is no certificate problem with aus.thunderbird.net -- if there was, everyone using Thunderbird would have broken update functionality. It uses the same certificate that https://www.thunderbird.net and all our other web properties use. It is possible that Kaspersky has some issue with Let's Encrypt certificates in general, or some other aspect of how the server is configured, but in any case that would be their bug to fix.

It does appear to have fixed the problem, but until the next version of Thunderbird is released I can't be sure it's fixed the issue with detecting that there is a new version.

In relation to Kaspersky and certificates, Kaspersky does seem to be quite anal about certificate and the tls version supported and will quite quickly treat certificates using older versions of tls as being invalid.

I have also added the "aus.thunderbird.net" exclusion to Kapersky, wondering whether the "aus." was for Australia and whether it would have an effect on me here in Germany.

Results: I have two Win10 machines with Thunderbird 68.2.2 running, one of which has the exclusion and the second one not. The machine with the exclusion has not shown the update prompt in two days. The other machine continues to prompt.

Same problem here.
Thunderbird always ask me to update manually, even if up to date.
It's seems this problem appeared since I've updated to Thunderbird 68.1.0 from Kaspersky program updater.
I've tried to uninstall Thunderbird and manually delete every folders (only keeping "profile" and "emails" cache folders), but nothing to do.

I think try to delete every registry entry if the problem is not resolved in the next patch. Hoping that it doesn't reset all my accounts settings if I keep "Profiles" files.

Just a confirmation, like other have already said :
In the Kaspersly Endpoint Security > Network Settings > Trusted domains, I have added "aus.thunderbird.net".

I've been running Thunderbird with this configuration for one week now and I haven't observed the symptom anymore.

Same problem here. BUT

  • I don't have Kaspersky antivirus installed and never had it.
  • The reinstalling Thuderbird version is 68.2.2 (albeit the same was earlier - for some period of time - with 68.2.1, and AFAIR with 68.1.1 or 68.1.2).
  • I have ESET Endpoint installed, however I have not activated email plugin and ESET keeps alerting me "Email protection by client plugins is non-functional".
  • I don't observe regularity with Thunderbird attempts to reinstall; the previous one was more than 10 days ago, however I keep Thunderbird active for long time, a couple of weeks sometimes, what may explain the irregularity.
    Nevertheless, I don't believe that correct (= not suspicious) reference to any internet address can be blocked by antivirus, so perhaps there's something strange in TB action from an antivirus software point of view...

My installation detected that version 68.3.0 is available but from there it went downhill.
Tried the auto-update, that updated to version 68.3.0, and lo and behold it reports its version 68.3.0, but at the end it said restart to update Thunderbird. Do that, Thunderbird restarts and reports that its version 68.2.2 again and you need to restart to update Thunderbird.
So Reboot the OS and run Thunderbird still saying 68.2.2.
Close Thunderbird download from the Thunderbird site and install, 68.3.0 but still with the restart... message.

I don't fancy going around the Groundhog Day cycle, so I'm leaving it there.

Update History is still FUBAR.

Using Kaspersly free anti virus
Added aus.thunderbird.net to Network Settings > Trusted domains
Problem is fixed

(In reply to CVO from comment #52)

Imgur

I have the same issue. I have KAV too

Thanks.

Update:
I updated recently TB to the 68.3.0 (x64) and the pop up message disappeared.

Thanks.

(In reply to CVO from comment #74)

(In reply to CVO from comment #52)

Imgur

I have the same issue. I have KAV too

Thanks.

Update:
I updated recently TB to the 68.3.0 (x64) and the pop up message disappeared.

Thanks.

Wrong. I still have it. It appeared today again :(

I'm using Kaspersky Anti-Virus 20.0.14.1085(g) and I had the same problem when I updated to Thunderbird 68 when it was released last year. I never had this issue with Thunderbird 60.x (I didn't change my AV).

Adding "aus.thunderbird.net" to the exceptions in Kaspersky Anti-Virus seems to work as I now receive update messages and I can also update from there. Before this Thunderbird always showed that it is up to date.

However, extensions are still not updated (Thunderbird says there are no updates), I have to update them manually. In the config editor I found the url "versioncheck.addons.thunderbird.net" for extension updates. I added this to the exceptions in Kaspersky Anti-Virus and will report back if it worked.

Hi i have same problem on multiple PC's
all of them are 68.4.1 (32 bit) do not see update to ver 68.5.0.
Only alert to download clean install.....
I do not have kaspersky.

Nothing changed in my network environment.
I even renmoved all old addons, update it to 68v., renmoved calendar, run as admin, nothing help to get auto update.

Attached image thunder.jpg —

example of problem (polish language)

Yandex translation of screenshot in comment 78:

About Mozilla Thunderbird
Thunderbird
68.4.1 (32 bits) release information
Thunderbird cannot be upgraded to
recent version.
Download a fresh copy of Thunderbird and we'll
we will help you install it.
Thunderbird is the current one
With more information…
You are currently using the release update channel.
The Thunderbird program was developed by Mozilla, which
a global community committed to ensuring that the Internet remains open,
public and accessible to all.
Download the Thunderbird program
Under
Not now
Want to help? Donate or join us!
License information
User right
Privacy policy
Mozilla Thunderbird and the Thunder
Thunderbird logos are trademarks of the Foundation.

Well I was going to ask tom usher is he had heard back from kaspersky in the past three months as the the cause in thire opinion. But Tom blocks infortmation requests, most helpful, so I guessI will just hope he responds.

Given that Kaspersky appartently routinely default the ceretificate store to windows, they can add their dodgy certificates there without user intervantion, and the mention in comment 60 of a "custom signed" certificate possibly opens another avenue from which a cause could arise. Proxies with bad certificates might be messing the update process.

For me, the problem disappeared with build 68.5 (or perhaps earlier). I didn't try any of the workrounds. Although I find Kapersky can be aggressive, I'd rather have this than "compromised" settings.

A short update from me: Adding "versioncheck.addons.thunderbird.net" to the exceptions in Kaspersky causes updates of add-ons to work again.

I don't have Kaspersky. It states that Thunderbird is up to date, when I choose >Help >About Thunderbird. Thunderbird also shows: Thunderbird: 68.4.2 (32-bit) and that I am currently on the release update channel. But I get a notifications that Thunderbird can't update to the latest version. If it is currently up to date, why is it stating that Thunderbird can update to the latest version?

Is your windows 64bit Amy? I have a sneaking suspicion that folks are being prompted to update to the 64bit version.

^^^ I don't think so. When I update manualy thunderbird by ninite tool it upgrade to 68.5 still 32 bit.
Internal thunderbirt say that is up to date..., Firefox (similar update mechanizm) don't have same problem

Well for me the notification issues seem to have gone with 68.5.0 release, the only annoyance was it changed the installation from 64bit to 32bit.

updated do 68.5.0, but from time to time Thunderbird claim that there is new version (WTF#!?) 68.5.0 in popup window. Help/about / up to date...

Attached image thunder.png —

still help about :up to date / new update popup.

Looking at this bug and bug 1620934, there are two things that stand out. One both are running 32 bit Windows, and both are localized (Polish and Russian). And the whole 32-bit to 64-bit piece seems to come up quite a bit.

So with that in mind, I dug up my update-checker.sh script. (https://github.com/jfx2006/thunderbird-ci-docs/blob/master/scripts/test-updates.sh)

That script checks the same URLs that the updater makes sure the response sort of looks correct. Then the output is reviewed for accuracy.

Today I did some runs to specifically test 32-bit Thunderbird running on both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows with various versions both with the migration flags set and not set. The update server is sending the correct response in all cases.

I did some research and these are the conclusions:
1)
the manually upgraded version still has the same symptoms 32bit 68.5 to 68.6. (no update / popup about the new version)
2)
On another PC, upgrade from 32bit 68.5 to 64bit 68.5 (the installer uploads the update to the 32bit version folder C: \ Program Files (x86) \ Mozilla Thunderbird. The same situation no information about the newer version (help / about), popup about manual update.

(In reply to gelob from comment #91)

I did some research and these are the conclusions:
1)
the manually upgraded version still has the same symptoms 32bit 68.5 to 68.6. (no update / popup about the new version)
2)
On another PC, upgrade from 32bit 68.5 to 64bit 68.5 (the installer uploads the update to the 32bit version folder C: \ Program Files (x86) \ Mozilla Thunderbird. The same situation no information about the newer version (help / about), popup about manual update.

finally I got an answer...
in my case the axence nvision client block in some way communication to update servers
temporary solution is to add thunderbird.exe to the exception list.

https://axence.net/help/nVision11/en/index.html?cannot_block_websites_and_moni.html

Please stop the "Thunderbird kan niet naar de nieuwste versie worden bijgewerkt. Download een nieuwe kopie van Thunderbird en we helpen u deze te installeren."

The network connections from Thunderbird to aus.thunderbird.net are deliberately blocked.

Give me a possibility to stop the auto updater process on Mac OS, TB 68.11.0 (64-bits). Currently there a 2 options:

  1. Auto install
  2. Check but don't install

I want option 3 back:
3. Don't check for updates

I also experiencing this issue, and had aus.thunderbird.net blocked on a Mac device. The version check popup appears even though the current version is not out of date. I've unblocked the URL and will be seeing if that fixes the issue.

78.2.1 (64-bit)/OSX 10.15.6

I encounter the same issue and would like to analyze it. Where can I obtain a log of the download attempt (especially the HTTPS response) of TB?

See Also: → 1693511
Blocks: 1695596

Having this problem with version 91.10.0 (64 bit).

Has anyone had any luck with eliminating this problem ?

Severity: normal → S3

Having this problem suddenly with 102.7.0

4 years seems a long time for a bug to be open and have no priority?
Still in 10.8.0

(In reply to Pete from comment #98)

4 years seems a long time for a bug to be open and have no priority?
Still in 10.8.0

This isn't even really a bug so much as it is a report of a symptom with various possible causes. So, it's not getting a priority nor assigned because it doesn't have steps to reproduce. There are many possible causes. It seems like we've gotten very few reports of this issue in the past 2 years?

For the cases involving Kaspersky or some other 3rd party(Windows built-in Defender is fine) anti-virus, they all cause problems and frankly I would avoid them. It's very unlikely we'll ever have bug-free operation with them installed. They cause more problems than they prevent, generally speaking.

If you don't have any anti-virus installed and you're still seeing this message I'd suggest providing some more details because "I see this message" is unfortunately not nearly enough information to diagnose anything.

It's possible we could improve this situation with better error reporting/logging for the update process.

(In reply to Andrei Hajdukewycz [:sancus] from comment #99)

(In reply to Pete from comment #98)

It's possible we could improve this situation with better error reporting/logging for the update process.

Simply turning logging on would be a significant step forward. It is too late when the update has failed to turn it on and get meaningful results that may well be contaminated on the next repetition by the last failure.

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