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Cannot install add-ons in Thunderbird...

  • 15 replies
  • 4 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by piperfw

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I am unable to install add-ons for Thunderbird for my Chromebook that I have installed via the embedded Linux OS that's in Chromebook. Inside the app(Thunderbird), I go to addons.thunderbird.net and attempt to install an add-on and this box with this button inside it pops up and I have to click on that button to confirm installation of that add-on. Well, I try clicking on that button and nothing happens and that box doesn't go away. I enclosed a screenshot to give you an idea of what I'm talking about.

I am unable to install add-ons for Thunderbird for my Chromebook that I have installed via the embedded Linux OS that's in Chromebook. Inside the app(Thunderbird), I go to addons.thunderbird.net and attempt to install an add-on and this box with this button inside it pops up and I have to click on that button to confirm installation of that add-on. Well, I try clicking on that button and nothing happens and that box doesn't go away. I enclosed a screenshot to give you an idea of what I'm talking about.
Attached screenshots

All Replies (15)

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Have you set up Thunderbird as an allowed program in the Firewall ?

There are two ways to install an addon. What method are you using ?

Either: Access link via a browser and click on download to get the *.xpi file to download to eg: 'downloads' folder or 'Desktop' depends upon what you have set up on chromebook. Then in Thunderbird - Menu icon > Addons & Themes > select 'Extensions' and click on the gear wheel icon > select 'install addon from file' > locate the downloaded .xpi file and click on it to select and click on 'Open'

OR: In Thunderbird - Menu icon > Addons & Themes > select 'Extensions' > type 'browseintab' in the search which opens in a new tab - it should offer 'BrowseInTab' > click on 'Add to Thunderbird'

Then you get those confirm by clicking on Add and OK buttons.

If one method fails then try the other method.

Have you communicated this problem with the author of the addon ?

There is a 'Support Site' link mentioned on the addon webpage: https://addons.thunderbird.net/en-us/thunderbird/addon/browseintab/

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I have an identical situation and have tried all the suggestions listed and I still cannot install any add-on in any of the methods. Each one gets to the point of displaying the panel with the add and cancel buttons and the buttons are not clickable. Very frustrating.

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Drocha64 said

I have an identical situation and have tried all the suggestions listed and I still cannot install any add-on in any of the methods. Each one gets to the point of displaying the panel with the add and cancel buttons and the buttons are not clickable. Very frustrating.

The person who asked this question was using a Linux OS that's in Chromebook. So I'm assuming they also installed a Thunderbird version suitable for Linux although I do not know where they got the Thunderbird install.

What OS are you using ? Is it a Linux OS ? Did you download and install Linux version of Thunderbird from here: https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/all/

Where did you get the Thunderbird program download?

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Question for eatshit2016 and Drocha64

Are you using Chromebook Linux Gentoo ? I'm asking because I've come across another user with same problem using Gentoo.

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If this is a new problem then I can report it but I need some information.

I need to identify whether this is this something specific to chromebook and whether it is specific to a particular version of Linux.

Please access 'Tools' > 'Developer Tools' and select 'Error console' Clear the console and close it.

Restart Thunderbird and attempt to install addon extension. When you get to the pop up window asking to 'Add' which you say is failing.... Access the Error Console again. Please post an image showing the contents of error console.

Please offer some information.

Modified by Toad-Hall

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Since I have the same problem (https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1402386), here are a few screenshots as asked. Target system is Linux Gentoo. First image (black background) is the Error console's content when trying to install an extension, with two comments since all messages are not displayed together. The first three messages (« Install Trigger », « Page in Quirks mode » and « Popup notifications ») are shown when clicking on the « Add » button to install a plugin (window with « This extension will have permission to... »). The subsequent messages are displayed when destroying the tab (displaying some Tb extensions) from which we did ask to add an extension to Tb. Second image (white background) is the same, but with Tb started in safe mode (without any extension).

Hope this helps.

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I am also having this problem on Thunderbird v102.7.1 running on Ubuntu 22.04. It doesn't matter if I try to add using the '+Add' or xpi file version.

The extension vendor indicates that it is not a problem with their extension.

I am unable to install any extensions. Same log message as PyBN about the click event. I am unable to close the permission request window.

Modified by fx14

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Thanks for info. Some people are providing good information and answering my queries.

It's clear this is effecting Linux systems. Some people are using a Linux package that comes with chromebook, so please make sure you let me know if you are also using chromebook.

Regarding the Thunderbird program. Where did you get the program ? Did you downloaded from the official website: https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/all/

OR is the Thunderbird program something you got from a 'snap' or 'flatpak' download? I'm thinking you have not used a download from the official webpage. Please confirm. I'm wondering if you could be using a flatpak installation which runs Thunderbird in a sandbox situation and this is all about flatpak permissions.

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Sorry for the late answer.

Toad-Hall said

Regarding the Thunderbird program. Where did you get the program ? Did you downloaded from the official website: https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/all/

Using regular Gentoo ebuild, which fetches sources from https://archive.mozilla.org/pub/.

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If anyone wants to follow - Reported as bug: https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1829370

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It may be that the window and buttons do not have focus, so try to force this by using the 'Tab' key on keyboard to navigate to see you can get the 'Add' button to have focus.

Please report back on whether this workaround to use keyboard to navigate and get focus on the 'Add' button, so allowing it be a clickable button.

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Toad-Hall said

It may be that the window and buttons do not have focus, so try to force this by using the 'Tab' key on keyboard to navigate to see you can get the 'Add' button to have focus.

How is it I did not think about that ?

Okay, it did work. The 'Add' button gets underlined, and clicking/hitting returns lets the stuff proceed. That's a good workaround. Thanks !

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PyBN said

Toad-Hall said

It may be that the window and buttons do not have focus, so try to force this by using the 'Tab' key on keyboard to navigate to see you can get the 'Add' button to have focus.

How is it I did not think about that ?

Okay, it did work. The 'Add' button gets underlined, and clicking/hitting returns lets the stuff proceed. That's a good workaround. Thanks !


Sometimes I walk away for a while and have a think and suddenly an idea appears. I also wondered why it did not occur to me earlier, but hey - I'm glad it works for you. It does not fix the bug, but it is a doable workaround for those who have this problem. It would be appreciated if my ealier comment mentioning the workaround could be selected as a 'Chosen Solution', so making it easier for people to locate.

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Toad-Hall said

It would be appreciated if my ealier comment mentioning the workaround could be selected as a 'Chosen Solution', so making it easier for people to locate.

The « solved » button does not appear, maybe because I'm not the original poster. I did this on the other thread (on the same subject) I did create.

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I also have this issue with thunderbird 102.11.0-1 on Arch Linux.

I am using the Sway Window manager and the suggested Tab workaround does not work for me. Has anyone found any other solutions? I cannot even kill the pop-up window after it has spawned except by closing Thunderbird itself.