Verify DNS records and fix problems

After you add DNS records, PGB Business checks that they are in place. Here is how to read the result and what to do about it.

Run a check

1. Open Admin and choose Domains.
2. Open the domain.
3. Choose Check DNS. Wait for the check to finish.
4. Read the message that appears. You also see Last checked with the time.

If every required record is found, the domain shows Verified and the message says mail for the domain now arrives here. Otherwise it stays Waiting for DNS, and you are told that DNS changes can take up to an hour to appear.

Read each record's status

In the table, each record has a Status:

• Found: the record is in place.
• Missing: a required record is not visible. Add it.
• Missing (optional): the record is optional and not found. Mail works without it, but add it for best results.
• Found instead: something different is at that name. The page lists what it found. Compare it with the value you should have.
• Fix needed: the record exists but has a problem, and the page explains what.
• Couldn't check: the lookup did not work this time. Check again later.
• Not checked or Not checked yet: no check has been run, or the record is marked Leave out.

Fix the usual causes

1. Wrong place. Make sure you edited DNS at the company that actually runs it for your domain. If you changed nameservers recently, edit records where the new nameservers point.
2. Wrong name. If your DNS provider adds the domain automatically, type only the part before it, or @ for the domain itself.
3. Copy errors. Use the copy buttons. Extra spaces or missing characters break a record.
4. Two SPF records. Merge them into one.
5. Old MX records. Remove records for your previous mail provider.
6. Not enough time. Wait up to an hour, then choose Check DNS again.

Share domains

If your plan includes share domains, they show Verified, Check failing or Waiting for DNS. They are only for links such as forms or file shares, and do not change your email addresses. If a check is failing, make sure the two records shown are still in your DNS.

Tips

• Check once, fix everything the table shows, then check again, rather than checking repeatedly.
• Take a screenshot of your DNS before making changes, so you can undo them.
• Do not remove records after verification. If they go missing, mail can stop or be rejected.

Common problems

• It has been more than a day. The values or names are probably wrong. Use Found instead to see what the world sees.
• I cannot find where to edit DNS. Ask whoever registered the domain, or look up the nameservers to see which company runs DNS.
• Mail arrives but replies land in spam. SPF or DKIM is missing or wrong. Fix those first.