Overview: If you are facing Thunderbird encryption greyed out problem, then this guide describes why and how to troubleshoot the problem.

Thunderbird has OpenPGP and S/MIME built in for end-to-end email encryption. But, there are situations where the encrypt option is greyed out or not available for some users while composing an email. In some cases, the OpenPGP or security option also goes missing.

The actual problem is not related to your email account, it’s mainly due to encryption configuration. Before Thunderbird can encrypt a message, it needs either a personal encryption key or certificate. As well as the right account identity and compatible decryption credentials for each of the message recipients.

Also Read: How to Install ImportExportTools Add-on For Thunderbird?

Table of Contents Hide
  1. Why is my Encrypt Button Not Working?
  2. Follow 10 Manual Ways
  3. Check Whether the Key has Expired
  4. Recipient Has an Encryption Key
  5. Encryption Toolbar Option
  6. Reconfigure the OpenPGP keys
  7. Best Alternative
  8. Conclusion

Why Thunderbird Encrypt Button Greyed Out?

There are different reasons behind the Thunderbird Encryption greyed out issue.

  • You have not configured your OpenPGP personal key
  • Your key is expired or someone has revoked it
  • The receiver lacks the necessary decryption key
  • Users have imported the OpenPGP key, but you didn’t associate it with the email
  • One factor is related to selecting wrong email ID
  • Sending data from an alias that does not match up to your configured key
  • It can be due to different settings in OpenPGP and S/MIME
  • The encryption option is not available or disabled in the toolbar
  • Profile or encryption settings in Thunderbird are problematic
  • The message window is affected by an extension or theme

10 Useful Manual Ways to Resolve Thunderbird Encryption Greyed Out Problem

Users need to fix this Thunderbird error by following these 10 manual fixes one by one and enables the encrypt button.

#1. Check your Thunderbird End-to-End Encryption Settings

  • Check if you have enabled your Thunderbird encryption account settings
  • Next, go to Account settings > Email Account > End-to-End Encryption
  • Review the OpenPGP and S/MIME available options
  • For OpenPGP, select a valid personal key for your user account
  • A key displayed in the OpenPGP, where key manager may not be linked to your account
  • Select a key if no keys are selected and write a new email again

#2. Verify OpenPGP Key is a Personal Key

If the imported key is not recognized as a personal key by Thunderbird. Then, you may face a Thunderbird encryption greyed out problem.

  • View to open Tools > OpenPGP Key Manager and locate your key
  • Be sure to set the key as your personal key in your email account
  • Ensure that the key does contain the same email address which you used to send messages
  • The keys are showing in the Key Manager, but it won’t work on your account
  • If required, reimport the key as a personal key or configure it

#3. See Whether the Key has Expired or Revoked

An old or revoked key can create Thunderbird encrypt button greyed out issues.

  • Open OpenPGP Key Manager from Thunderbird and check the key information
  • Ensure that the key is supported and valid for encryption
  • Verify that the key is not expired and has not been revoked
  • Make sure the email on the key is the same as the sending email
  • For Thunderbird, you need a valid, live personal key, or certificate for encryption

#4. Recipient Has an Encryption Key

  • Your private key by itself cannot protect an email in Thunderbird
  • OpenPGP is based on the recipient’s public key, S/MIME and needs a valid certificate
  • Thunderbird disables encryption if it cannot find a key or certificate for the recipientEnsure that the recipient would use appropriate public key or certificate on email
  • For multiple recipients, review the To, CC, and BCC fields
  • The message can only be encrypted if every recipient has suitable encryption credentials

#5. Check the Selected from Address

This Thunderbird encryption greyed out problem occurs when you use multiple accounts or addresses.

  • The From address you choose must have a valid OpenPGP key or S/MIME certificate
  • In other words, if your key is assigned to [email protected] and you send it from [email protected], then it may not work
  • The Encrypt option might stay greyed out if the selected identity does not have proper encryption credentials
  • Verify the From field before you send and select an identity set up for end-to-end encryption
  • Thunderbird suggests that identity should correlate with its encryption key or certificate

What Are Thunderbird Email Aliases?

Aliases can cause encryption problems. If it works for the main address but not an alias, and make sure that the selected identity has an OpenPGP key set up. Furthermore, check that the key contains the alias, is not expired, and has not been revoked.

#6. Check OpenPGP vs. S/MIME

Thunderbird offers two encryption methods: OpenPGP and S/MIME.

  • These operate under different, and different rules in a single email
  • This is easy to check, and just go to Account Settings > End-to-End encryption
  • Select the method that matches your key/certificate you have
  • OpenPGP keys cannot be a complete replacement to S/MIME certificates
  • Users have to ensure that both the sender and receiver apps are configured with compatible encryption settings

#7. Encryption Toolbar Option is Available or Not

Thunderbird encrypt button greyed out in the compose window toolbar. So, check and restore it if necessary.

  • Firstly, restart Thunderbird and restore Encrypt button
  • Make sure your OpenPGP key or S/MIME certificate is set up properly
  • Verify that your key or certificate is active and has not expired or been revoked
  • Check if the public key or certificate is available to the recipient
  • Test Thunderbird in Troubleshoot mode, if the button is still greyed out

#8. Restart Thunderbird in Encryption Mode

There are add-ons and themes that can also alter interface elements in Thunderbird.

  1. Open Thunderbird first
  2. At the top, you will see Help menu
  3. There, select Troubleshoot Mode
  4. Again, restart Thunderbird
  5. Next, open a new composition window
  6. Check the encryption controls

If the Encrypt button works correctly in Troubleshoot Mode, then check for recently installed extensions, themes, or customizations. If you still face the Thunderbird encryption greyed out problem, then it would probably be because of configuration itself.

#9. Reconfigure the OpenPGP Key

When the key exists, Thunderbird still does not activate encryption. Then, checking the account configuration should help. Firstly, ensure that you have a secure backup of your private key.

1. Start by opening your account settings
2. Next, select the affected email account
3. Open End-to-End encryption
4. Check the OpenPGP personal key
5. There, ensure that you have chosen the right key
6. Validate that the key is for your current email identity
7. Now, save the configuration
8. Again, open a new message
9. We will add a recipient whose public key you can access
10. See if you can now use encryption

If you use the same account across multiple devices, then Thunderbird helps you to back up your personal OpenPGP keys.

#10. Test Encryption With Your Own Email Address

To test whether the configuration is working or not, follow these steps:

  • Create a fresh email using the identity with encryption enabled
  • Set the To section with your own email and switch encryption
  • Now hit send and also head over to your inbox

Thunderbird’s official setup suggests that you can test your setup by sending an encrypted and digitally signed message to yourself. This can help you figure out if the issue lies with your config or the encryption credentials of the receiver.

Still Facing Thunderbird Encryption Greyed Out Issue – Best Alternative

If users are getting the Thunderbird encrypt button greyed out issue even after checking the account, key, identity and recipient. Please remember to back up your Thunderbird profile whenever you make major changes. Because it contains old messages, attachments, contacts or other stored data. If you want to reinstall Thunderbird or set up a different profile, then you can use SysTools Thunderbird Import Wizard. So, users do not have to manually create a mailbox structure while importing existing messages in Thunderbird.

End Note

The Thunderbird encryption greyed out issue is usually due to configuration rather than email accounts. So, we have given all possible manual methods which you can follow. If you are still facing the problem, then you can try our professional solution to overcome Thunderbird encrypt button greyed out error.