How to Fix Thunderbird Outlook Import Stuck at 33% Issue?

Summary – Many users face the “Thunderbird Outlook import stuck at 33%” issue. If you are trying to import your emails from Outlook to Thunderbird and finding the process stuck at 33% for hours then don’t worry, you’re not alone, we’re here to help you. In this write-up, we’ll discuss why this issue occurs as well as all the possible solutions to resolve this frustrating problem.

When you try to import emails from Outlook to Thunderbird, you might face the problem of the import process getting stuck at 33% for hours. This is a typical problem that can occur for a variety of reasons. In this write-up, we’ll explore the potential causes and provide fixing tips to resolve the problem. With these tips, you can overcome the “Thunderbird Outlook Import Stuck at 33%” problem and make a smooth email migration from Outlook to Thunderbird. So, let’s get started.

User Query 

Hi! I’m Daniel. I have been using Outlook for my official emails and recently I tried to import my emails to Thunderbird. However, the import process gets stuck at 33% and won’t proceed any further. I’ve tried restarting the process multiple times but I’m still facing the same issue. I suspect there might be a problem with the email data or the software settings. Can anyone suggest tips or possible solutions to resolve this problem? Thanks in advance!

Why Does This Thunderbird Outlook Import Stuck at 33% Issue Occurs?

The “Import from Outlook is stuck at 33%” issue can happen for various reasons. Understanding these reasons might help you resolve the case. Here are some common causes why this may occur.

• Importing a large number of emails or emails with large attachments can overwhelm the import process which causes the importing process to get stuck.
• Many users use multiple Add-ons or extensions in both Thunderbird and Outlook applications, which can interfere with the import process.
• If the import process involves data transfer over a network, such as IMAP, network interruptions or slow connections can cause the process to hang.
• Incorrect settings in either Thunderbird or Outlook, such as IMAP/POP configuration issues can cause import problems.
• Sometimes users have corrupted PST file emails or attachments in the Outlook mailbox which may cause the importing process to be stuck at a specific point.

How to Resolve the “Thunderbird Outlook Import Stuck at 33%” Issue?

In this section, we will explain possible solutions to resolve this issue easily, one by one. So check through the solutions.

1. Check System Requirement 

First, make sure that both your Outlook and Thunderbird applications are installed on the same computer and are updated to the latest versions. Also, check that your computer has enough disk storage space and memory available to handle the email transfer. Acceptable system resources are important for a smooth import process.

2. Update Software 

Confirm that both Thunderbird and Outlook are updated with the latest versions. Updates often include bug fixes and modifications that can solve familiar issues like this one. If either of your applications are not updated then follow the below steps to update the apps.

• Update Thunderbird 

1. Launch the Thunderbird Application on your system. 
2. Navigate to the “Help” tab and then “About Thunderbird”  to check for updates. 
3. If it’s not updated with the latest version then, click the “Update” button. 

• Update Microsoft Outlook

1. Open MS Outlook on your computer. 
2. Navigate to the “File” tab and hit the “Office Account” button. 
3. Select “Update Options” and then press “Update Now”.

3. Repair PST File in Outlook 

A corrupted PST file can hang the import procedure and cause the “Thunderbird Outlook import stuck at 33%” issue. You can repair the PST file by using the Inbox Repair Tool, which is also known as Scanpst.exe.

• Locate Scanpst.exe:

Scanpst.exe’s location varies depending on your Outlook and Windows versions. It’s normally located in the “Office” installation folder. For example, “C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OfficeXX”. 

• Run Scanpst.exe:

1. Open Scanpst.exe and select the PST file you are importing into. 
2. Hit the “Start” button to start scanning. 
3. Follow the instructions to repair the file if you find any issues.

Maybe this repair process looks easy and simple, but it is not. This method comes with some limitations such as you can lose the email structure or hierarchy during the repairing process. Also, this approach can’t preserve the important metadata of the email files.

So, to overcome these limitations you can opt for an expert-recommended Turgs PST Repair Software. With the help of this software, you can easily repair PST files in bulk without worrying about metadata. This utility is completely capable of preserving all the email metadata and can maintain the structure and hierarchy of the email files. After repairing the PST files, import the files and check if the “Thunderbird Outlook Import Stuck at 33%” problem is solved or not.

4. Reduce the PST File Size 

It is reported that PST files imported into Thunderbird are limited to 2 GB. If your PST file is larger than this, then consider splitting it into smaller files. Here if you want to split manually then we do not recommend this because the manual method comes with various drawbacks such as complexity, time-consuming nature, and high risk of data loss or corruption.

However, you can use the automated Turgs PST Splitter Tool to reduce the PST file size easily. With the help of this software, users can split a large PST file into multiple small-size files along with the attachments. This software is completely capable of maintaining the original file structure and can preserve all the email properties during the splitting process.

5. Disable Add-ins or Plugins 

Sometimes, add-ins or plugins in both Outlook and Thunderbird can interfere with the import process. Disabling these can ensure a smooth transition. Also, it might help you to solve the “Thunderbird Outlook Import stuck at 33%” issue. 

• Disable Add-ins in Outlook 

1. Launch MS Outlook on your system. 
2. Navigate to “File” and then press the “Options” tab. 
3. Now, press the “Add-ins” option. 
4. Hit the “Go” next to “Manage COM Add-ins.”
5. Uncheck any unnecessary add-ins and hit “OK”. 

• Disable Extensions in Thunderbird

1. Open Thunderbird Application. 
2. Go to “Tools” and then press the “Add-ons and Themes” option. 
3. In the Add-ons Manager, pick the “Extensions” button. 
4. Disable any non-essential extensions by clicking on the toggle switch next to each one. 

6. Use An Automated Solution

If the above steps do not resolve the issue, then consider using an automated solution. You can opt for Turgs PST Converter Software. It is an expert-recommended, powerful, and reliable software. With the help of this software, you can transfer multiple PST files in bulk at once to Thunderbird without any data loss. Furthermore, this is a standalone software, which means you don’t have to install the Outlook application to transfer PST files to Thunderbird. Also, by using this software you can transfer corrupted PST files into Thunderbird easily and securely.

Conclusion

So finally, we are at the end of this write-up. In this article, we have briefly discussed how to fix Thunderbird Outlook import stuck at 33%. Here we have mentioned both manual and professional solutions to accomplish this task. By following the above-mentioned solutions, you can resolve the issue of Outlook to Thunderbird import getting stuck at 33%. 

With a bit of patience and calm, you’ll successfully migrate your emails and enjoy a seamless email experience in Thunderbird. Also, all the above-mentioned software provides a free trial version of the utility to users to try the features and capability of the software.