Guide

How to Debug DNS Problems

Troubleshoot DNS problems with lookup checks, propagation tests, MX records, SPF, DKIM, DMARC, reverse DNS, and domain status.

Quick Answer

DNS issues usually come from wrong records, slow propagation, missing email authentication, or mismatched nameservers.

Step-by-Step

  1. Confirm the domain resolves with a DNS lookup before checking application-level errors.
  2. Check propagation when records were changed recently or results differ by location.
  3. Review MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records when email delivery is affected.
  4. Use reverse DNS and WHOIS checks when server identity or domain ownership details matter.

Recommended Workflow

Open the most relevant calculator or utility first, enter a realistic starting point, then use the supporting tools to check assumptions, clean inputs, or prepare the final output.

FAQs

How long does DNS propagation take?

Many DNS changes appear quickly, but caches and TTL settings can make some users see old records longer.

Why does email fail when the website works?

Website DNS and email DNS use different records. MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC can be broken even when A or CNAME records work.