Thunderbird is a free email program that can be used to send and receive your domain email from your computer.
This guide explains how to set up your HostworX email account in Thunderbird.
Before You Start
Before setting up Thunderbird, make sure you have:
- Your full email address
- Your email password
- Your incoming mail server
- Your outgoing mail server
- Your IMAP or POP3 settings
Your email address may look like:
Your mail server is usually:
mail.yourdomain.co.za
Replace yourdomain.co.za with your own domain name.
Recommended Account Type
For most users, IMAP is recommended because it keeps email synchronized between Thunderbird, webmail, phones, and tablets.
Use IMAP if you access your email on more than one device.
POP3 may be suitable if you mainly use one computer and want email downloaded locally.
Common IMAP Settings
Use these settings for IMAP:
Account type: IMAP
Incoming server: mail.yourdomain.co.za
Incoming port: 993
Connection security: SSL/TLS
Outgoing server: mail.yourdomain.co.za
Outgoing port: 465 or 587
Connection security: SSL/TLS or STARTTLS
Username: your full email address
Password: your email account password
Common POP3 Settings
Use these settings for POP3:
Account type: POP3
Incoming server: mail.yourdomain.co.za
Incoming port: 995
Connection security: SSL/TLS
Outgoing server: mail.yourdomain.co.za
Outgoing port: 465 or 587
Connection security: SSL/TLS or STARTTLS
Username: your full email address
Password: your email account password
Step 1 – Open Thunderbird
Open Thunderbird on your computer.
If this is your first account, Thunderbird may open the account setup screen automatically.
If not, open the account setup area.
Click: Account Settings
Then click: Account Actions
Then click: Add Mail Account
Step 2 – Enter Your Email Details
Enter your email account details.
Locate: Your full name, example: Your Name
Locate: Email address, example: info@yourdomain.co.za
Locate: Password, example: Your email password
Click: Continue
Step 3 – Choose Manual Configuration
Thunderbird may try to detect settings automatically.
If the settings are incorrect, choose manual setup.
Click: Manual config
Step 4 – Enter Incoming Server Settings
Enter the incoming mail settings.
Locate: Protocol, example: IMAP
Locate: Hostname, example: mail.yourdomain.co.za
Locate: Port, example: 993
Locate: SSL, example: SSL/TLS
Locate: Authentication, example: Normal password
Locate: Username, example: info@yourdomain.co.za
Step 5 – Enter Outgoing Server Settings
Enter the outgoing mail settings.
Locate: Hostname, example: mail.yourdomain.co.za
Locate: Port, example: 465
Locate: SSL, example: SSL/TLS
Locate: Authentication, example: Normal password
Locate: Username, example: info@yourdomain.co.za
Step 6 – Test the Settings
After entering the settings, test the connection.
Click: Re-test
If the settings are accepted, continue.
Click: Done
Step 7 – Test Sending and Receiving
After setup, send a test email to another address.
Then reply to that email from the other address.
Check that Thunderbird can both send and receive email.
Common Thunderbird Problems
Thunderbird may fail to connect if:
- The email password is incorrect.
- The username is not the full email address.
- The wrong mail server was entered.
- The wrong port was selected.
- SSL settings are incorrect.
- SMTP authentication is not enabled.
- The mailbox does not exist in DirectAdmin.
- The domain uses external email settings.
Important Notes
Please keep the following in mind:
- Your username should usually be your full email address.
- IMAP is usually recommended if you use multiple devices.
- POP3 may be suitable if you mainly use one computer.
- SMTP authentication is required for sending email.
- If you change your email password in DirectAdmin, update it in Thunderbird too.
- If your domain uses Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or Zoho Mail, use that provider’s settings instead.
When Should I Contact HostworX Support?
Contact HostworX Support if:
- Thunderbird cannot connect.
- Thunderbird can receive but not send.
- Thunderbird can send but not receive.
- Your password does not work.
- Webmail works but Thunderbird does not.
- You are unsure which account type to use.
- You receive a certificate or security warning.
Please include the error message shown by Thunderbird if one is available.
Conclusion
Thunderbird can connect to your HostworX mailbox using IMAP or POP3.
For most users, IMAP with SSL is recommended because it keeps email synchronized across devices.
Always test sending and receiving after setting up the account.
