SOLVED CalDAV Sync Issue in Thunderbird for Windows

[Evan L]

Same behavior in all cases: Thunderbird shows an exclamation point "The calendar [name] is temporarily unavailable"

Using cPanel 76.0
Thunderbird client for Windows with Lightning plugin. Versions tried:
* 52.9.1
* 60.4.0

Subscribed to network calendar with CalDAV option, linked to cPanel email account.
Tried with both URLs listed on cPanel calendar config site
Tried with network.cookie.same-site.enabled = false / true
* see: Sync for caldav not working after update to Thunderbird 60 | Thunderbird Support Forum | Mozilla Support


Alternate test: used iPhone with iOS 12.1.2 calendar app - CalDAV calendar works fine

Any thoughts?

 

[cPanelLauren]

Hello @Evan L

I've actually been trying to replicate any misbehavior between Thunderbird and CalDav today and i've been unable to. I've setup a calendar in a windows 7 test environment running v60.4.0 of thunderbird with the lightning plugin. Please see the screenshot below.

Is there some portion of the replication steps that I'm missing?

 

[Evan L]

The only difference I see so far is that you're using Windows 7 and I'm on Windows 10. Here's the equivalent screenshot on my machine.

I assume you are using a clean install of Thunderbird with the default settings? I know sometimes Mozilla can remember settings from prior installs, etc...

 

[cPanelLauren]

Hi @Evan L

I'm seeing the same behavior on a Window's 10 test environment as well:


No issues with the calendar. I'm using the Direct URL for Calendars at the bottom of the Contacts and Calendars interface are you using the same?

The only thing at this point I can think of would be an antivirus or another program interfering.

Thanks!

 

[Evan L]

Lauren,

Thanks for your help - I found a workaround to solve the problem.

It turns out Thunderbird/Lightning needs the direct URL to the CalDAV calendar. Just typing in https://[domain]:2080 does not work - Thunderbird console says that it found a CalDAV collection, not a CalDAV calendar.

However, the "Calendars and Contacts" section of the cPanel web UI does not give me the complete list of Direct URLs - It only gives me a direct URL for my cPanel admin user account. I need the direct URL for the calendars of each of the email accounts we manage.

I was able to find the complete direct URL by logging into my email account using the Horde webmail client. Click the little pencil button next to the calendar, and then select "Subscription". It's listed under "CalDAV Subscription URL"

Is there a better way to do this? As the admin, I am OK with using direct URLs, as long as I can see the list of the CalDAV URLs for all the users. If it's not in the cPanel UI, is there a way I can use curl or some other means to query the list?

 

[cPanelLauren]

Hi @Evan L

That's actually why I mentioned it in my last response, apparently, Thunderbird is unable to view the calendar list it needs the direct link - I did the same thing when I created the first account as well. I'm glad that worked for you. Each account's direct link can be found by going to cPanel>>Email>>Email Accounts -> Manage (Next to the email account you want to manage) ->Configure Calendars and Contacts

 

[Evan L]

Yes - that was a great clue.

I am not seeing the "manage" button. Am I in the right place?

 

[cPanelLauren]

Yes - that was a great clue.

I am not seeing the "manage" button. Am I in the right place?

That's my fault, I'm running on v78 of cPanel/WHM and the interface is a bit different. For you, you'll go to cPanel>>Email>>Email Accounts and click Connect Devices -> Configure Calendars and Contacts



Thanks!

 

[Evan L]

Got it - Thanks!