Checking Domain DNS Records
What A, CNAME, MX, TXT, and NS records mean, what to look for in each, when checks are necessary, and why changes are not applied instantly.
DNS records determine where a domain leads: which server the site is sent to, where the mail goes, who can sign emails on your behalf. You can view all domain records at once using DNS check, and reverse mapping of address and name using reverse lookup.
Main Types of Records
| Record | What it is responsible for | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| A / AAAA | IP address of the site | Does it match your server; are there any extra addresses |
| CNAME | Alias to another name | There should be no chains or conflicts with the A record |
| MX | Mail servers | Are there any at all and are they the right ones |
| TXT | Mail confirmations and policies | SPF in a single instance, presence of DMARC |
| NS | Who serves the zone | Do they match the registrar or your provider |
When to Check This
- The site does not open for everyone. A common reason is that records were changed recently, and some providers still have old data.
- Emails go to spam. Check SPF, DKIM, and DMARC in TXT records.
- Moving to another hosting. It is useful to document current records before switching.
- Domain confirmation in Search Console is done with a TXT record — see the article on connecting resources.
Changes Are Not Applied Instantly
Each record has a time to live: until it expires, part of the world will see the old value. Therefore, before moving, the time to live is reduced in advance, and afterwards, the result is checked with several tools.Checklist for Moving to Another Hosting
- Reduce the time to live of records a day in advance — then the switch will be picked up quickly.
- Document the current records: A, MX, TXT, and NS should be noted before changes.
- Set up the site on the new server and check it by IP, without touching the domain.
- Switch the A record and monitor the response from different locations.
- Ensure that the mail is not disrupted: MX and SPF are often forgotten during the move.
- Restore the previous time to live of records and check the certificate at the new address.
What to Check Alongside
WHOIS will show where the domain is registered and when the registration expires, SSL check — whether the certificate is valid for the new address, and response headers — whether the server responds as it should.
FAQ
Why does the site not open for everyone after changing records?
Each record has a time to live: until it expires, some providers will return the old value.
Which records are responsible for mail?
MX indicates mail servers, while TXT stores SPF and DMARC policies, which affect email deliverability.
How is a domain resource confirmed in Search Console?
With a TXT record in DNS: such a resource covers all address variants and subdomains.
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