BB just started asking for Google logins?, says its a malformed request. Can't do anything as this keeps popping up.
<https://www.reddit.com/r/Betterbird/comments/1cx1loj/ bb_just_started_asking_for_google_logins_says_its>
Multiple users on Windows with Betterbird 102 and 115 builds are reporting the same 400 "malformed request" error.
The most recent discussion shows that the Betterbird maintainer ("jorgk3") has responded to user reports and confirmed that the problem appears to be caused by a Google-side change, not a Betterbird update.
At the conclusion, Betterbird pops up its own warning of:
"Authentication failure while connecting to server imap.gmail.com"
On 19 Mar 2026 22:04, Maria Sophia wrote:
BB just started asking for Google logins?, says its a malformed request.
Can't do anything as this keeps popping up.
<https://www.reddit.com/r/Betterbird/comments/1cx1loj/
bb_just_started_asking_for_google_logins_says_its>
Multiple users on Windows with Betterbird 102 and 115 builds are reporting >> the same 400 "malformed request" error.
The most recent discussion shows that the Betterbird maintainer ("jorgk3") >> has responded to user reports and confirmed that the problem appears to be >> caused by a Google-side change, not a Betterbird update.
Which "most recent discussion"? The mentioned Reddit thread is two years old.
BB ESR will behave the same as TB ESR.
In article <10phnso$1jhk$1@nnrp.usenet.blueworldhosting.com>, mariasophia@comprehension.com says...
At the conclusion, Betterbird pops up its own warning of:
"Authentication failure while connecting to server imap.gmail.com"
Sounds very similar to problems I've had with Outlook 365 (Classic).
After a lot of faffing about I did get it working again, with the newer browser-based authentication (which I still only dimly understand). In
the process I made the mistake of deleting the original profile (instead
of just creating an additional one, I gather) and in so doing I
destroyed the settings I'd evolved over years, for views, rules,
signatures, etc, etc. Less than thrilled with Google or MS....
Q: Did Google change something in its OAuth login flow that kills Betterbird? A: Apparently many (most?, all?) BetterBird users are locked out of Gmail.
As of today, I can no longer log into Google Gmail from Windows Betterbird 102.10.1-bb34 (64-bit). Is it just me or are others affected by this issue?
Here's what happens, which just started today (or maybe last night).
1. I bring up Betterbird on Windows 10
<C:\app\telecom\betterbird\BetterbirdLauncher.exe>
2. Normally it gets messages, but I have to click "Get Messages".
https://accounts.google.com/_/bscframe pops up, saying
"Enter credentials for foo@gmail.com on imap.gmail.com"
Sign in to continue to Mozilla Thunderbird Email
Email or phone: foo@gmail.com
3. But every time I press the blue "Next" button, I get
400. That's an error.
The server cannot process the request because it is
malformed. It should not be retried. That's all we know.
https://accounts.google.com/v3/signin/identifier?
app_domain=http://localhost
&client_id=406964657835-aq8lmia8j95dhl1a2bvharmfk3t1hgqj.apps.googleusercontent.com
&continue=<redacted>
&dsh=<redacted>
&flowName=GeneralOAuthLite
&login_hint=<redacted>
&o2v=1
&opparams=<redacted>
&rart=<redacted>
&redirect_uri=http://localhost
&response_type=code
&scope=https://mail.google.com/+https://www.googleapis.com/auth/carddav+https://www.googleapis.com/auth/calendar
&service=lso
At the conclusion, Betterbird pops up its own warning of:
"Authentication failure while connecting to server imap.gmail.com"
I just ran a search, prior to posting, which changed this from a Question
to a PSA since the whole world is experiencing this problem, apparently.
On 3/19/2026 3:21 PM, Philip Herlihy wrote:
In article <10phnso$1jhk$1@nnrp.usenet.blueworldhosting.com>,
mariasophia@comprehension.com says...
At the conclusion, Betterbird pops up its own warning of:
"Authentication failure while connecting to server imap.gmail.com"
Sounds very similar to problems I've had with Outlook 365 (Classic).
After a lot of faffing about I did get it working again, with the newer
browser-based authentication (which I still only dimly understand). In
the process I made the mistake of deleting the original profile (instead
of just creating an additional one, I gather) and in so doing I
destroyed the settings I'd evolved over years, for views, rules,
signatures, etc, etc. Less than thrilled with Google or MS....
If you've an image, the main Outlook profile(in side its pst file)
should be on the last image you created.
The pst file contains all Pop3 email accounts and all settings including >views, rules, signatures.
The Outlook profile is normally located in:
C:\Users\user\Documents\Outlook Files
Also, the image would contain the IMAP and Exchange *.ost files that are >located in:
C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook
One can rename the newer Outlook.pst file and replace it with an earlier >Outlook.pst of the same name.
Restoring and renaming ost file are not necessary, since they are >populated/repopulated with each use of an IMAP/Exchange email account.
Are you perchance using an out-of-date version of BB?>So is assuming that a popular software is not still supporting an only-just-ended (actually, still being supported) OS - at least, without checking.
Using Win10 implies that.
Being surprised that out-of-date and unsupported software no longer
works is a bit naff these days.
Cheers,
Gary B-)
In article <10pi458$15hli$1@dont-email.me>, winstonmvp@gmail.com says...
On 3/19/2026 3:21 PM, Philip Herlihy wrote:
In article <10phnso$1jhk$1@nnrp.usenet.blueworldhosting.com>,
mariasophia@comprehension.com says...
At the conclusion, Betterbird pops up its own warning of:
"Authentication failure while connecting to server imap.gmail.com"
Sounds very similar to problems I've had with Outlook 365 (Classic).
After a lot of faffing about I did get it working again, with the newer
browser-based authentication (which I still only dimly understand). In
the process I made the mistake of deleting the original profile (instead >>> of just creating an additional one, I gather) and in so doing I
destroyed the settings I'd evolved over years, for views, rules,
signatures, etc, etc. Less than thrilled with Google or MS....
If you've an image, the main Outlook profile(in side its pst file)
should be on the last image you created.
The pst file contains all Pop3 email accounts and all settings including
views, rules, signatures.
The Outlook profile is normally located in:
C:\Users\user\Documents\Outlook Files
Also, the image would contain the IMAP and Exchange *.ost files that are
located in:
C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook
One can rename the newer Outlook.pst file and replace it with an earlier
Outlook.pst of the same name.
Restoring and renaming ost file are not necessary, since they are
populated/repopulated with each use of an IMAP/Exchange email account.
I have a mix of OST (IMAP) and PST (POP) files. I wanted to partition
off my calendar and contacts, so I have a separate PST file for them,
marked as "Default" in the Account settings dialogue. I have no PST
files which are connected to active email services, only for the
archiving of historic emails.
I'd suddenly found that my Gmail wouldn't authenticate, and was
following instructions from one or two AI tools. That's what led me to delete my profile (in Control Panel) as I struggled to get it to
authenticate again. I'd thought it was simply a question of recreating
the accounts and linking them to the OST/PST files I'd copied for
safety, but it took all that other stuff with it. If I'd followed those instructions more carefully I'd have created an additional profile,
without deleting the original one.
Once I had the Gmail account working in Outlook I then opened up my Calendar/Contacts PST file, and I see that my signatures have returned
at least, so I guess the stuff you describe was in there.
I had an idea I'd glimpsed an option to back up Outlook settings (specifically) but now can't find it (if it ever existed). I guess the
way to protect this stuff would be to create a copy profile?
The default Outlook profile(its name, is found in Outlook.pst) contains
data for email messages, calendar and contacts for POP3 accounts. IMAP
and Exchange ost contain email messages with Contacts and Calendar
syncing down/up from/to the online account's Contacts and Calendar data.
In article <10pk12m$1q45m$1@dont-email.me>, winstonmvp@gmail.com says...
The default Outlook profile(its name, is found in Outlook.pst) contains
data for email messages, calendar and contacts for POP3 accounts. IMAP
and Exchange ost contain email messages with Contacts and Calendar
syncing down/up from/to the online account's Contacts and Calendar data.
Thanks, that's most helpful. I think I have it all configured correctly
now. I found I had to set up the accounts using the Control Panel
"Profiles" dialogue to get access to all the settings I need for a
slightly obscure way of doing things which suits me well.
One thing I don't understand. In the list of Calendars there is one
called "Calendar (this computer only)". When I look at its properties,
its locatin is given as "\\<myaddress>@gmail.com". I use a utility
called gSyncit (works well) to synchronise my local Calendar file with
Gmail. Should I be able to get IMAP to do this? If so, I can't see
how!
On 3/20/2026 11:52 AM, Philip Herlihy wrote:
In article <10pk12m$1q45m$1@dont-email.me>, winstonmvp@gmail.com says...
The default Outlook profile(its name, is found in Outlook.pst) contains
data for email messages, calendar and contacts for POP3 accounts. IMAP
and Exchange ost contain email messages with Contacts and Calendar
syncing down/up from/to the online account's Contacts and Calendar data. >>>
Thanks, that's most helpful. I think I have it all configured correctly
now. I found I had to set up the accounts using the Control Panel
"Profiles" dialogue to get access to all the settings I need for a
slightly obscure way of doing things which suits me well.
One thing I don't understand. In the list of Calendars there is one
called "Calendar (this computer only)". When I look at its properties,
its locatin is given as "\\<myaddress>@gmail.com". I use a utility
called gSyncit (works well) to synchronise my local Calendar file with
Gmail. Should I be able to get IMAP to do this? If so, I can't see
how!
For a GMail IMAP account in 'Outlook' you have two choices for Calendar >sync-ability.
Where 'Outlook' applies to the two different versions of Outlook -Outlook Classic(the desktop version) and Outlook New(the app version)
For Outlook Classic - subscribe to the Google Calendar:
Note: this is a one-way sync(i.e. always down from the Google Server
and synced each time the Gmail Imap account performs a send/receive.
i.e. changes made locally don't sync up, but changes in the calendar web
UI will sync down).
Setup the IMAP account in Outlook using preferably using the automatic
method(i.e. not the Advanced 'manual method'.
Once setup, open the online Google calender in a browser, navigate to
its settings and copy the 'Secret URL' link.
Return to Classic's UI and access the Account settings.
File/Account Settings/Account Settings/Internet Calendars/New
Past the Url into the dialog box's subscription field, click Add
For Outlook New(the app version) - two way sync(up and down)
Setup the GMail account using the automatic method, approve the
access(local prompt and the redirect to your browser's Google account >sign-in and agreement to setup/access/sync, and the redirect back to
Outlook new for final setup.
Note: This sets up the email account and sync for email, Calendar, and
Contacts. Changes made in either location, are mirrored/sync to the >other(both local and online account).
In article <10ppkak$3ipnb$1@dont-email.me>, winstonmvp@gmail.com says...
On 3/20/2026 11:52 AM, Philip Herlihy wrote:
In article <10pk12m$1q45m$1@dont-email.me>, winstonmvp@gmail.com says... >>>> The default Outlook profile(its name, is found in Outlook.pst) contains >>>> data for email messages, calendar and contacts for POP3 accounts. IMAP >>>> and Exchange ost contain email messages with Contacts and Calendar
syncing down/up from/to the online account's Contacts and Calendar data. >>>>
Thanks, that's most helpful. I think I have it all configured correctly >>> now. I found I had to set up the accounts using the Control Panel
"Profiles" dialogue to get access to all the settings I need for a
slightly obscure way of doing things which suits me well.
One thing I don't understand. In the list of Calendars there is one
called "Calendar (this computer only)". When I look at its properties,
its locatin is given as "\\<myaddress>@gmail.com". I use a utility
called gSyncit (works well) to synchronise my local Calendar file with
Gmail. Should I be able to get IMAP to do this? If so, I can't see
how!
For a GMail IMAP account in 'Outlook' you have two choices for Calendar
sync-ability.
=> Where 'Outlook' applies to the two different versions of Outlook -
Outlook Classic(the desktop version) and Outlook New(the app version)
For Outlook Classic - subscribe to the Google Calendar:
Note: this is a one-way sync(i.e. always down from the Google Server
and synced each time the Gmail Imap account performs a send/receive.
i.e. changes made locally don't sync up, but changes in the calendar web
UI will sync down).
Setup the IMAP account in Outlook using preferably using the automatic
method(i.e. not the Advanced 'manual method'.
Once setup, open the online Google calender in a browser, navigate to
its settings and copy the 'Secret URL' link.
Return to Classic's UI and access the Account settings.
=> File/Account Settings/Account Settings/Internet Calendars/New
=> Past the Url into the dialog box's subscription field, click Add
For Outlook New(the app version) - two way sync(up and down)
Setup the GMail account using the automatic method, approve the
access(local prompt and the redirect to your browser's Google account
sign-in and agreement to setup/access/sync, and the redirect back to
Outlook new for final setup.
Note: This sets up the email account and sync for email, Calendar, and
Contacts. Changes made in either location, are mirrored/sync to the
other(both local and online account).
Thanks, Winston - that's a model of how to answer a question with just
what the person needs to know (and no more) - much appreciated.
I've used Outlook Classic for years, and I'm wary of the new app. I
haven't tried it, as I have a very large OST file and I don't want to generate another one, and then be out of sync if I go back to Classic.
That is one advantage of the new app, though, if it'll sync calendars
and contacts. For now I'll stay where I am and continue to use gSync,
which works very well.
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