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Using gmail: when checking my sent folder in Thunderbird I get an error message "Only Drafts can exist in the Drafts folder (Failure)"

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  • Last reply by KTC2

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I tried to check my Sent Folder and get the error message: "Only Drafts can exist in the Drafts folder (Failure)". "The current command did not succeed. The mail server responded:[ALERT] Only Drafts can exist in the Drafts folder (Failure)

I can see all the sent messages up until 3 days ago.

I tried to check my Sent Folder and get the error message: "Only Drafts can exist in the Drafts folder (Failure)". "The current command did not succeed. The mail server responded:[ALERT] Only Drafts can exist in the Drafts folder (Failure) I can see all the sent messages up until 3 days ago.

Modified by KTC2

Chosen solution

First, check to make sure that Thunderbird is using the proper folders for things.

Right-click your account in the normal folder view of Thunderbird and choose Settings.

Select Copies & Folders for your account on the left side. On the right side, check to make sure that the correct folders are set for Sent messages and Draft messages.

If that is not the problem, then

1. Backup the Thunderbird Profile folder.

2. Download & install the latest version of Thunderbird

3. Right-click the Sent folder and choose Properties. Then click the Repair Folder button.

4. From the menu, select File: Compact Folders.

If there is still a problem, then

5. Find & open your Thunderbird Profile folder:

Select Help: Troubleshooting Information from the Thunderbird menu (either from the menu button, on the top right, or the normal menu at the top of the window.)

Under "Application Basics", beside "Profile Folder", click the "Show Profile" button.  This will open a window showing the contents of your Thunderbird Profile folder.

6. Quit Thunderbird, but keep that window open showing your Thunderbird Profile folder.

7. Delete "global-messages-db.sqlite" and "panacea.dat" from the profile folder.

8. Start Thunderbird.

If there is still a problem, then

9. Delete the account and re-create it in Thunderbird: a. Right-click your account in the normal folder view of Thunderbird and choose Settings. b. Click the Account Actions button on the bottom left and select Remove Account. c. Click the Account Actions button again and select Add Mail Account. d. Double-check with your e-mail provider the e-mail server names and settings to use in Thunderbird.

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All Replies (5)

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Are you serious? Thunderbird 3.0.11?

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Not helpful.

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I have always had the settings set for automatic updates....apparently Thunderbird has not been updating. That is not my issue now. My issue is access to all my sent files in my Sent Folder.

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Chosen Solution

First, check to make sure that Thunderbird is using the proper folders for things.

Right-click your account in the normal folder view of Thunderbird and choose Settings.

Select Copies & Folders for your account on the left side. On the right side, check to make sure that the correct folders are set for Sent messages and Draft messages.

If that is not the problem, then

1. Backup the Thunderbird Profile folder.

2. Download & install the latest version of Thunderbird

3. Right-click the Sent folder and choose Properties. Then click the Repair Folder button.

4. From the menu, select File: Compact Folders.

If there is still a problem, then

5. Find & open your Thunderbird Profile folder:

Select Help: Troubleshooting Information from the Thunderbird menu (either from the menu button, on the top right, or the normal menu at the top of the window.)

Under "Application Basics", beside "Profile Folder", click the "Show Profile" button.  This will open a window showing the contents of your Thunderbird Profile folder.

6. Quit Thunderbird, but keep that window open showing your Thunderbird Profile folder.

7. Delete "global-messages-db.sqlite" and "panacea.dat" from the profile folder.

8. Start Thunderbird.

If there is still a problem, then

9. Delete the account and re-create it in Thunderbird: a. Right-click your account in the normal folder view of Thunderbird and choose Settings. b. Click the Account Actions button on the bottom left and select Remove Account. c. Click the Account Actions button again and select Add Mail Account. d. Double-check with your e-mail provider the e-mail server names and settings to use in Thunderbird.

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I repaired the folder a couple days ago and that seemed to solve the problem. Thanks for the detailed response.