Email Troubleshooting - New Domains and DNS

This article will help you troubleshoot email issues related to:

• new accounts
• DNS changes
• enabling or disabling your server's mail service

 Correct DNS Settings

If you use our mail server to send and receive emails, make sure your DNS information is as follows:

• example.com MX subdomain.example.com
• subdomain.example.com A 12.34.56.78

The subdomain might be something like mail.example.com or root.example.com. Then, that same exact subdomain needs to have an A record that points to your IP address.

You can look up your DNS records for free with KLOTH.NET's DIG tool. First, enter your Domain, choose MX as the Query, and click Look it up. Make a note of the subdomain that returns as your mail server. Then, do it again with that subdomain in the Domain field and A as your Query. The resulting IP address is the IP address of your current mail server. It should match your IP address.

 Wait For Changes to Propagate

If you have recently made a DNS change to your domain, it will take 24-48 hours to fully propagate. During that time, email will sporadically go to your old mail server and your new mail server. See if you can log into your old server to view missed messages.

Email Client Settings 

Some email clients, like Apple Mail, won't connect to a new mail server even if all of the information is the same as for your old mail server. You may need to re-type the server settings or even recreate the account to make it check for email at the new server.