How to Set Up Email in Thunderbird
A step-by-step guide to adding your Kwikweb-hosted email account to Mozilla Thunderbird — using either Auto Configuration (recommended) or Manual Configuration (for POP3 or new domains).
Check Your Password First
Before configuring Thunderbird, confirm your email password is correct by logging into Webmail at mail.yourdomain.co.za. If login fails, reset your password via your Kwikweb Control Panel before proceeding. Reset it by following this guide before continuing.
Throughout this guide, replace yourdomain.co.za with your actual domain name. Your username is always your full email address — e.g. info@yourdomain.co.za.
Add Your Email Account to Thunderbird
Auto Configuration is the quickest way to get set up. Thunderbird will detect your server settings automatically and configure IMAP by default. If you prefer POP3, or if your domain is newly registered and hasn't propagated yet, use the Manual Configuration tab instead.
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1
Launch Mozilla Thunderbird on your computer.
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2
If the account setup wizard doesn't open automatically, go to:
Alternatively, from the home screen choose Create a new account → Email, then click Skip this and use my existing email.
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3
On the Mail Account Setup screen, fill in your details:
- Your Name: the name that will appear in the From field of outgoing emails
- Email address: your full email address
- Password: your email password
Click Continue.
Forgotten your password? Reset it using this guide before continuing.
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4
Thunderbird will attempt to automatically detect your server settings. Wait a moment while it searches.
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5
If settings are found successfully — confirm the account type is set to IMAP, then click Done. Your inbox will start syncing immediately.
If settings are not found — click the Manual config button and follow the Manual Configuration tab above.
Auto Configuration defaults to IMAP, which keeps your mail synced across all devices. If you specifically need POP3, use the Manual Configuration tab.
Use Manual Configuration if Auto Configuration fails, if you prefer POP3, or if your domain is newly registered and hasn't propagated yet. Start from the Auto Configuration steps above, then click Manual config at step 5.
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1
Follow steps 1–4 of the Auto Configuration tab, then when prompted click Manual config instead of Done.
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2
The Manual Configuration screen will open. Set your account type — choose IMAP (recommended) or POP3 — then enter the settings below.
📥 Incoming Server (IMAP)ProtocolIMAPServermail.yourdomain.co.zaPort143SSLNoneAuthenticationNormal passwordUsernameFull email address📤 Outgoing Server (SMTP)Servermail.yourdomain.co.zaPort587SSLNoneAuthenticationNormal passwordUsernameFull email addressIf you're using POP3 instead of IMAP, change the incoming port to
110and the protocol to POP3. The outgoing settings remain the same. -
3
Double-check that the Username field for both incoming and outgoing servers shows your full email address — not just the part before the @.
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4
Click Re-test to verify the connection, then click Done.
All done! Your account is now configured and Thunderbird will start downloading your mail.
Complete Server Settings at a Glance
| Setting | IMAP | POP3 |
|---|---|---|
| Incoming Server | mail.yourdomain.co.za |
mail.yourdomain.co.za |
| Incoming Port | 143 |
110 |
| Outgoing Server | mail.yourdomain.co.za |
mail.yourdomain.co.za |
| Outgoing Port | 587 |
587 |
| SSL / Encryption | None | None |
| Authentication | Normal password | |
| Username | Your full email address | |
In some cases mail.yourdomain.co.za won't resolve until your domain has fully propagated. If that happens, contact Kwikweb support at reception@kwikweb.co.za or call 021 072 0303.