How to troubleshoot common domain issues

    When managing your website and email services, domain-related problems can arise from a variety of causes. Below is a guide to help you troubleshoot common domain issues and resolve them quickly.

    1. Domain not resolving

    Symptoms: Your domain doesn’t load in the browser, showing an error like  "DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN" or "ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED".

    Troubleshooting Steps:

    • Check DNS Records: Ensure your domain’s DNS records are correctly configured. You can check this using online tools:
      • IntoDNS to check the DNS health of your domain.
      • For .ec domains, use NIC Ecuador WHOIS to verify DNS and WHOIS information.
      • For other domain types, use ICANN Lookup to verify domain information and DNS records.
    • Flush DNS Cache: Your local DNS cache may be outdated. Clear your computer’s DNS cache by running:
      • On Windows: Open Command Prompt and run ipconfig /flushdns.
      • On macOS: Open Terminal and run sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder.
    • Propagation Time: DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to fully propagate across the internet. If changes were just made, allow some time for them to take effect.

    2. Domain expiration

    Symptoms: Your domain displays a "Domain Expired" message, or it isn’t accessible.

    Troubleshooting Steps:

    • Check Domain Expiry Date: Log into your domain registrar account and check if the domain is expired. If it has expired, you’ll need to renew it to restore access.
    • Check Auto-Renew Settings: Ensure that the auto-renew option is enabled in your domain registrar’s settings to avoid future issues.

    3. Email not working (MX records issues)

    Symptoms: Email sent to your domain is bouncing, or you're not receiving emails.

    Troubleshooting Steps:

    • Check MX Records: Ensure that your domain’s MX (Mail Exchange) records are correctly set up to point to your email provider’s servers. For mail-related troubleshooting, you can use MXToolbox to check your domain’s MX records and diagnose potential email delivery issues.
    • Verify Email Server: If you're using a third-party email service (e.g., Google Workspace or Office 365), verify that your email server settings (e.g., SMTP, IMAP) are correct.
    • Check Email Quota: Ensure your email account has not exceeded its storage limit. Clear unnecessary emails or upgrade your hosting plan if needed.

    4. Nameserver changes not reflecting

    Symptoms: Changes to nameservers aren’t taking effect.

    Troubleshooting Steps:

    • Verify Correct Nameservers: Ensure that you’ve entered the correct nameservers provided by your hosting provider. For example, for cPanel-based hosting, the nameservers might be ns1.example.com and ns2.example.com.
    • Allow Propagation: As with DNS changes, nameserver updates can take up to 48 hours to propagate fully across the internet.
    If you continue to experience domain-related issues after following these steps, please don't hesitate to contact our support team. We’ll be happy to assist you in resolving any issues.  
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