Check DNS Records
What is DNS?
The Domain Name System (DNS) is the internet's phonebook. It translates human-readable domain names like "example.com" into IP addresses that computers use to communicate. Without DNS, you'd have to remember IP addresses like 93.184.216.34 instead of website names.
When you change your website's hosting or email provider, you need to update your DNS records. These changes can take 24-48 hours to propagate globally - this tool helps you verify if your DNS records are correctly configured.
DNS Record Types Explained
🌐 A Record (Address)
Maps a domain to an IPv4 address (e.g., 93.184.216.34). This is the most fundamental DNS record that tells browsers which server hosts your website.
🔷 AAAA Record (IPv6)
Maps a domain to an IPv6 address. As IPv4 addresses become scarce, AAAA records are increasingly important for modern internet connectivity.
📧 MX Record (Mail Exchange)
Specifies which mail servers handle email for your domain. Includes a priority number - lower numbers have higher priority.
📝 TXT Record (Text)
Stores text data for various purposes: SPF records for email authentication, domain verification for services like Google, DKIM signatures, and more.
🖥️ NS Record (Nameserver)
Identifies which DNS servers are authoritative for your domain. These are the servers that hold your actual DNS records.
🔗 CNAME Record (Canonical Name)
Creates an alias from one domain to another. Often used for subdomains like "www" or to point to CDN/hosting services.
📋 SOA Record (Start of Authority)
Contains administrative information about the zone including the primary nameserver, admin email, and timing parameters for zone transfers.
⏱️ TTL (Time To Live)
Not a record type, but a value on each record that specifies how long DNS resolvers should cache the record before refreshing it.
Common DNS Issues & Solutions
Website not loading after DNS change
DNS propagation can take 24-48 hours. Clear your browser cache and try a different network (like mobile data). Use this tool to check if the A record points to your new server's IP.
Emails not being received
Check your MX records - they must point to your email provider's mail servers. Also verify SPF and DKIM TXT records are correctly configured to prevent emails from being marked as spam.
Domain verification failing
Services like Google Search Console require TXT records for verification. Check that the exact TXT value was added without any modifications or extra spaces.
"www" subdomain not working
Your www subdomain needs either an A record pointing to your server IP, or a CNAME record pointing to your root domain. Some hosting providers require specific configuration.
SSL certificate errors
Ensure your A/AAAA records point to the correct server where your SSL certificate is installed. Mismatched DNS can cause certificate validation failures.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does DNS propagation take?
Typically 24-48 hours, but it can vary. Some records update within minutes while others may take up to 72 hours. TTL values affect this - lower TTL means faster propagation.
Why do I see different results from different locations?
DNS caching at various levels (browser, ISP, DNS resolver) can show different results during propagation. This is normal and resolves once propagation completes.
What's the difference between A and CNAME records?
A records point directly to an IP address. CNAME records point to another domain name (which then resolves to an IP). CNAMEs are useful for flexibility but add an extra DNS lookup.
Do I need an AAAA record?
Not strictly required, but recommended. AAAA records enable IPv6 connectivity. As IPv6 adoption grows, having AAAA records ensures your site is accessible to all users.